Danielle Louise Leukam

Mar 155 min read

Loyal, Brave, and True

Interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Leukam. We think you’ll enjoy...

Dec 22, 20231 min read

My Favorite Memories of 2023

Season’s Greetings. 2023 is almost over, and I can’t believe it. Where did the time go? 2023 has blessed our family with so many miracles...

Feb 10, 20233 min read

If only it were this easy...

Follow the rules. Dress like a lady. Don’t wear that. You should look like this. Boys won't like that. Girls won’t like that. Who are you...

Dec 8, 20224 min read

Being a Memoir Author

The writing below was featured in the Olmsted County Adult and Family Services newsletter. November 2023 was Memoir Author month. It was...

Nov 27, 20223 min read

Two Years

Inspired by the book, “642 Things to Write About.” Please note, this is a fictional story. He stood in my front doorway with longer sandy...

Nov 15, 20225 min read

What if you fly?

An interview from Spring of 2022... Please tell us about what brings you joy and fulfillment (your work, your passions, your dreams,...

Nov 2, 20228 min read

Break the Cycle

I’m finishing two books right now: an anthology with 12 sexual assault survivor stories and a sequel memoir. In brainstorming ideas for...

Sep 18, 20225 min read

FAQ: How is my son doing after "That Morning?"

One of the most frequently asked questions I get at speaking events is, “How is your son doing?” My response is usually, “He seems to be...

Jul 17, 20223 min read

Solitary Confinement

After lightly blowing off the layer of accumulated dust that coated my writing prompt journal, I flipped through the crisp, mostly empty...

May 6, 20227 min read

What is Strength?

I went to The Boutique Station’s 2-year anniversary in Peterson, Minnesota last weekend with my son. We had a great time, and he was such...

Apr 2, 20225 min read

WISH: We Inspire Survivor Healing Inc

I was sixteen years old working two jobs, getting there with the car my dad could no longer drive because of his illness (Langerhans...

Jan 5, 20223 min read

"100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition" Book Review

100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition by Clint Emerson While the front of the book says, “The SEAL Operative’s Guide to Surviving in the...

Dec 6, 20213 min read

"The President's Daughter" Book Review

Have you considered reading the book called The President’s Daughter written by former President of the United States Bill Clinton and...

Dec 1, 20212 min read

Submissive

In a recent episode of We Are HER, Boom tells her story of being raped by her boss. At the end of the episode, she talks about how she...

Nov 18, 20213 min read

Realize, I Am the Storm

Sponsored by: The Boutique Station and Stanger Construction. (This is the poem I read at the Author Talk at the St. Charles Public...

Oct 24, 20214 min read

Christmas is Coming?

This time last year, I’d been listening to Christmas music easily since September. Hell, I’ve started Christmas music in July in past...

Oct 14, 20213 min read

Last October

What happens when a person journals? Well, lots of things. But all I can really tell you is what happens to me… Particularly, what...

Sep 20, 20216 min read

A Safe Space

The washcloth wiped away the dirt that was caked on her cheeks. Once her face was clean, I noticed her arms were covered in dirt too....

Aug 28, 20216 min read

An Inconvenience...

Dear Diary… I’m going to start with… this is going to be a disaster of a diary entry. My mind, my heart, and my thoughts are all over the...

Jul 15, 20216 min read

...You Give Her Epilepsy

The last two years and eight months has tested my ability of being able to accept help. Even after being assaulted, having to hide and...

Jun 13, 20213 min read

The Laundry Basket

He found the two guns I had in my closet. At that point, he had three guns and I had nothing. After tormenting me, threatening to kill me...

May 10, 20212 min read

Treated Differently

I don’t want to be treated differently. This is one of the many reasons survivors don’t report or talk about having been raped or...

Apr 30, 20212 min read

Rochester Supports Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Silence surrounding sexual violence continues to decline, while support and awareness continues to grow, improving justice for survivors....

Apr 26, 20212 min read

The Life I Dreamt Of.

Wasn’t it our dream as a child to finish school, get a job, find a significant other, have kids if we want, have a family if we want, go...

Apr 9, 20211 min read

My Universe

When one small child gives you will to live, will to survive, and will to thrive, you can bet they'll be inspiration for random thoughts...

Mar 27, 20212 min read

Paralyzed

“…and before I knew it, I woke up and he was having sex with me,” she admits. I could tell the next thing she wanted to say was hard for...

Mar 23, 20213 min read

What Are You Listening To?

One foot in front of the other – I walk in slow motion as the world hovers around me, disconnected. Only a few more steps and I’ll be...

Mar 20, 20215 min read

What Have I Been Up to?!

Recap: My world almost ended, but it didn’t. I thought I died inside, but I didn’t. I thought I was worthless, but I wasn’t. I felt...

Mar 8, 20214 min read

What if?

There are so many “what if…” questions a survivor contemplates after being raped. For me, What if I had checked the locks on my windows?...

Feb 25, 20213 min read

If it were only this easy...

Follow the rules. Dress this way. Don’t wear that. You should look like this. Boys wont like that. Girls won’t like that. Who are you...

Feb 20, 20213 min read

Admission of Guilt

As a survivor, I dreaded the thought of a plea deal. I got so angry when it was brought up. I was so focused on it not being fair and I...

Feb 15, 20212 min read

Meeting with his (now) ex-wife...

I met with Zane’s beautiful (now) ex-wife Saturday... We cried, we hugged, and I heard what she had to say. One thing in particular...

Feb 15, 20213 min read

Life After Sentencing

The sentencing hearing for Zane Pederson was last Wednesday, 2/10/21. He was sentenced to 250 months in prison because of the crimes he...

Feb 10, 20218 min read

Victim Impact Statement

On the night of November 17th, 2018, I sat down on the couch after cleaning up remnants of the day and curled up with a glass of Pinot...

Jan 29, 20215 min read

Sentencing in Person: February 10th, 2021

2:25 am. January 29th, 2021. After hours of being wide awake… it’s time to get up and write. I slept from 11 pm – 12:30 am… If I’m not...

Jan 16, 20213 min read

1989

I sit here tonight, less than one month until the man that raped me (Zane Pederson) is sentenced to 250 months in prison, transcribing...

Jan 11, 20212 min read

Lioness & Her Cub

I was walking through the field passing cattails and sunflowers when I saw her. She was only 10 yards away as she slowly put one paw in...

Jan 9, 20211 min read

Green Lake - Following Omens

The water was sheen, pulling her closer as each gentle wave wet the rocks surrounding the dock. Her feet were gliding over the earth,...

Jan 7, 20212 min read

A Letter from Jake

I wanted to share a sneak peek with you all... The letter below is a letter written to me from my best friend, Jake. The "sneak peek" of...

Dec 19, 20203 min read

I Didn't Tell You

I don’t want you to feel bad for me. We (survivors) don’t necessarily want sympathy; we want allies. We want acknowledgement and maybe a...

Dec 6, 20202 min read

Breaking Down a Meme.

I came across this meme on social media this morning on Instagram; I follow #metoo posts. How great is this that we are acknowledging the...

Dec 4, 20205 min read

Escapism

How can a person get so excited about a simple word? Here, let me show you. Take a ride with me and my ridiculousness (or, my love for...

Nov 23, 20206 min read

"Hurt People Hurt People"

It took me a while to actually post this blog. I didn’t want to admit these feelings to myself, much less the public. But here we are…...

Oct 30, 20203 min read

Stress Induced Anorexia

July 2020. 19 months since the rapes. I couldn’t get out of bed. I called in sick to work. I was crying hysterically making that phone...

Oct 20, 20202 min read

Realize; Self-Worth

Rest upon that star; you are beautiful, so beautiful... Shine amongst the moon and soon realize you are brighter than that star... And...

Oct 13, 20203 min read

Near Miss / Remote Miss

I recently read David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. While reading the book, I had a few “Wow,” moments. …In which I actually said,...

Oct 11, 20202 min read

I Want to be Okay.

I want to be okay. I am more often now. But then I try to do things solo, Like attend court, And I fall apart, Finding myself alone to...

Oct 6, 20202 min read

The Negotiator

If you could have one talent that you do not naturally have, what would that be? I would love to be a talented negotiator. (There was...

Sep 27, 20203 min read

What Was My Dream Job?

Childhood: For one of my birthdays when I was young, I asked my mom for a briefcase. There was another time when I helped to deep-clean...

Sep 19, 20201 min read

She is the Lioness

Her head is down, Walking through the hallway. Don’t notice her, As she ties her shoe. She wishes she was invisible, In a crowd full of...