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Donna Speaks Blog!
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Donna M. Kshir is an author, publisher and columnist featured in over 50 publications. Donna is a writer who seeks truth and justice for children exposed to abuse. She speaks out and writes against these injustices done onto children. Donna's work has landed her on the bestsellers list 15x.
Donna is an activist. She used her influence in the growth of gaining national support for nonprofit Dreamcatchers for Abused Children (2008-2015) and Conner's Law, making child abuse by death a violent crime in Kentucky; receiving a Letter of Recommendation from Conner's mother Mashanna Bachuss (2019). In 2009, Donna created, produced and hosted Dreamcatchers Talk Radio until 2015 to become the face and producer of Your Voice Radio's, Two Nana's at Noon. In June 2016 she and her best friend and sister advocate Lee Roberts co-founded Advocates United for Humanity. Donna is a member of the Nonfiction Authors Association, she received the NNPAAW Award (2012-2018), she's a 2019 nominee of the Pinnacle Awards and the 2019 Diamond Quill Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Donna is an activist. She used her influence in the growth of gaining national support for nonprofit Dreamcatchers for Abused Children (2008-2015) and Conner's Law, making child abuse by death a violent crime in Kentucky; receiving a Letter of Recommendation from Conner's mother Mashanna Bachuss (2019). In 2009, Donna created, produced and hosted Dreamcatchers Talk Radio until 2015 to become the face and producer of Your Voice Radio's, Two Nana's at Noon. In June 2016 she and her best friend and sister advocate Lee Roberts co-founded Advocates United for Humanity. Donna is a member of the Nonfiction Authors Association, she received the NNPAAW Award (2012-2018), she's a 2019 nominee of the Pinnacle Awards and the 2019 Diamond Quill Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
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On November 18, 2020 Donna and Lee Roberts served as Co-Editors to honor her dear friend Stephen Miller, who passed away unexpectedly on 02-11-2020, and his first release Waterfalls and Cascades of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The photo book reached the Amazon’s Top 100 in Photography and Travel in January/February 2021. Donna and Lee Roberts' program ‘Real Talk’ on AU4H RADIO began being broadcast on iHeart Radio podcasts in March 2021. The show was created and aired in December 2020. |
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On July 22, 2021 Donna and Lee Roberts introduced a petition to make the Child Abuse Central Registry public. Their goal is to have a State Representative sponsor the amendment and present it to the House and Senate. Donna and Lee first introduced this amendment in 2015 following the passing of Conner's Law. In January 2022, writer and advocate S. Justice featured Donna in the book titled, 'Conner's Law - Kentucky (KY SB102)' for her work with Mashanna Bachauss-Waggoner, Conner's mother, prior to it being passed into law in 2015. |
Gladys Caroline and Donna Kshir (1994)
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Donna writes under several pen names and advocates for those in need. Her most recent penname, Gladys Caroline, is to pay tribute to her late maternal grandmother. A woman who she wholeheartedly loves that truly impacted her life.
She has spent much of her life dedicated to giving back to her community. Donna has volunteered her time and talents with various non-profit organizations over her lifetime, animal rights, volunteered at her children's schools, in youth groups and gives of herself as she is able with God guiding her journey, as her health allows. She enjoys a quiet laid back lifestyle with her family!!
She has spent much of her life dedicated to giving back to her community. Donna has volunteered her time and talents with various non-profit organizations over her lifetime, animal rights, volunteered at her children's schools, in youth groups and gives of herself as she is able with God guiding her journey, as her health allows. She enjoys a quiet laid back lifestyle with her family!!
Advocacy Work:
Click image to read the FULL STORY: Two women fight for law to make child abuse central registry open.
Donna M. Kshir and Lee Roberts, both grandmothers, want people to be able to search offenders by name and location, according to Lexi Howard, an assistant and spokeswoman for Kshir and Roberts.
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.
Past and latest efforts
Since 2015, Kshir and Roberts have been trying to get the child abuse registry to be open.
“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children from the unknown,” Howard said.
Their latest effort includes a scheduled meeting on May 14 with state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-McElhattan, to see if they can get her support and sponsorship of legislation.
A prior meeting with Denise Maris, a Democrat candidate for the 76th District for state representative, resulted in Maris’ pledge of support of the proposal should she be elected.
Should the bill pass into law, the women would like it to be named Anson’s Law, after 9-year-old Anson Stover who suffered unspeakable abuse, was placed into a bathtub, and died from the injuries inflicted on him at the hands of his aunt.
The two started campaigning to open the child abuse central registry after 2-year-old Conner Bachuss lost his life to child abuse.
Kshir used her influence as an author and advocate seeking Conner’s Law alongside Conner’s mother, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner, to get justice for the toddler.
Conner’s Law became law, with a signature from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear in March 2015. Manslaughter in the first degree, which carries a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. Abusers have to serve 85% of that sentence before being released.
The Kentucky toddler’s killer, Ronald Saunders II, suffered from violence in his background, but his past was hidden on the private registry.
After serving 5 ½ years in prison, on a plea deal, for torturing and killing the toddler, Saunders was released from prison and re-offended abusing another child within a month of his release.
Four types of child abuse include neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse. In some countries, using corporal punishment is regarded as child abuse.
One study recorded in MedicalNews Today has suggested that 1 in 4 children experience some kind of neglect or abuse at some time.
Children who may have experienced abuse should visit a doctor or hospital, as physical medical help or counseling may be needed.
Anyone who believes they are abusing, have abused, or might abuse a child should remove themselves from the child and place the child somewhere safe, for example, by asking someone else to look after them, then find someone to confide in. Counseling may be necessary.
For more updates on the central registry, visit the petition tab on this website!
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.
Past and latest efforts
Since 2015, Kshir and Roberts have been trying to get the child abuse registry to be open.
“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children from the unknown,” Howard said.
Their latest effort includes a scheduled meeting on May 14 with state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-McElhattan, to see if they can get her support and sponsorship of legislation.
A prior meeting with Denise Maris, a Democrat candidate for the 76th District for state representative, resulted in Maris’ pledge of support of the proposal should she be elected.
Should the bill pass into law, the women would like it to be named Anson’s Law, after 9-year-old Anson Stover who suffered unspeakable abuse, was placed into a bathtub, and died from the injuries inflicted on him at the hands of his aunt.
The two started campaigning to open the child abuse central registry after 2-year-old Conner Bachuss lost his life to child abuse.
Kshir used her influence as an author and advocate seeking Conner’s Law alongside Conner’s mother, Mashanna Bachuss-Waggoner, to get justice for the toddler.
Conner’s Law became law, with a signature from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear in March 2015. Manslaughter in the first degree, which carries a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. Abusers have to serve 85% of that sentence before being released.
The Kentucky toddler’s killer, Ronald Saunders II, suffered from violence in his background, but his past was hidden on the private registry.
After serving 5 ½ years in prison, on a plea deal, for torturing and killing the toddler, Saunders was released from prison and re-offended abusing another child within a month of his release.
Four types of child abuse include neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse. In some countries, using corporal punishment is regarded as child abuse.
One study recorded in MedicalNews Today has suggested that 1 in 4 children experience some kind of neglect or abuse at some time.
Children who may have experienced abuse should visit a doctor or hospital, as physical medical help or counseling may be needed.
Anyone who believes they are abusing, have abused, or might abuse a child should remove themselves from the child and place the child somewhere safe, for example, by asking someone else to look after them, then find someone to confide in. Counseling may be necessary.
For more updates on the central registry, visit the petition tab on this website!
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Public stigma involves the negative or discriminatory attitudes that others have about mental illness. Self-stigma refers to the negative attitudes, including internalized shame, that people with mental illness have about their own condition.
Did you know that 1 in 5 people will be affected by a mental illness at some point in their lifetime and there are more than 40 Million people in the United States live with a mental health condition (anxiety and depression)? (NAMI)
Anxiety
Intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, and feeling tired may occur.
COMMON CAUSES
Anxiety can be normal in stressful situations such as public speaking or taking a test. Anxiety is only an indicator of underlying disease when feelings become excessive, all-consuming, and interfere with daily living.
Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety
Who gets Depression?
According to the CDC, about 1 out of every 6 adults will have depression at some time in their life. Depression affects about 16 million American adults every year. Anyone can get depressed, and depression can happen at any age and in any type of person. Many people who experience depression also have other mental health conditions.
Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression. People who have anxiety disorders struggle with intense and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, and/or panic. These feelings can interfere with daily activities and may last for a long time.
Depression and Suicide: Getting Help in a Crisis
Some people who are depressed may think about hurting themselves or committing suicide (taking their own life). If you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting themselves or committing suicide‚ please seek immediate help. The following resources can help:
- Call 1−800−273−TALK is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Call your mental health provider.
- Get help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.
- Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
- Contact a minister, spiritual leader, or someone else in your faith community.
- Or contact NAMI
- More Mental Health resources
Radio & Podcasts: AU4H RADIO-Real Talk
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© Donna Kshir
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**This page is maintained by AU4H Volunteers**
Questions or concerns contact Lee Roberts at Northern Books |
