Power to the Plurals

 

Power to the Plurals is an advocacy and educational platform created by and for individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD). The platform focuses on empowering systems (a group of distinct identities or alters) to embrace their plurality, navigate life as a system, and access trauma-informed resources. It offers tools, information, and support to reduce stigma and build a community for people with dissociative disorders.

Plural & DID Pride - This video deserves a better title

The Rings System

The main system behind Power to the Plurals is the The Rings System. They are a plural system living with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and are deeply committed to advocacy, education, and empowerment for other systems and individuals with DID/OSDD. The Rings System uses their platform to share personal experiences, educate about plurality, and reduce stigma surrounding dissociative disorders.

Key Features of Power to the Plurals:

1. Mission:

   • The platform’s primary mission is to provide education, advocacy, and support for plural systems.
   • It seeks to create a space where systems feel validated and empowered to live authentically, whether they pursue integration, cooperation, or any other personal goals.

2. Educational Resources:

   • Power to the Plurals offers resources that explain the complexities of DID and OSDD, including dissociation, switching, communication between alters, and trauma recovery.
   • It emphasizes the importance of understanding plurality as a valid and natural response to severe trauma, focusing on the protective roles of dissociation.

3. Plural Empowerment:

   • The platform promotes the idea that plurality is not inherently a disorder, but a way of being that can be lived with or even embraced.
   • It challenges the idea that systems must seek integration to "recover" and instead advocates for individual systems to determine their own goals and paths to healing.

4. Community Building:

   • Power to the Plurals fosters a supportive, inclusive community for systems, offering a sense of belonging and understanding.
   • The platform provides a space where individuals with DID/OSDD can share their experiences, ask questions, and connect with others facing similar challenges.

5. Trauma-Informed Focus:

   • Recognizing that DID and OSDD are rooted in trauma, the platform emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care and mental health practices.
   • It provides guidance on finding therapists who specialize in dissociation and trauma and offers advice on navigating therapy as a system.

6. Content and Media:

   • Power to the Plurals produces a range of content, including videos, blog posts, and social media discussions.
   • Topics include how to improve system communication, manage daily life as a system, advocate for self in therapy, and combat stigma surrounding dissociative disorders.

7. Destigmatization:

   • The platform actively works to reduce the stigma surrounding DID/OSDD, especially misconceptions perpetuated by media and lack of public understanding.
   • It encourages education for both systems and the general public to promote empathy and accurate representation.

8. Advocacy for System Rights:

   • Power to the Plurals advocates for the rights and autonomy of plural systems, including the right to self-identify, choose therapeutic goals, and access trauma-informed healthcare.

Key Messages:

• Plurality is valid: Systems should feel empowered to live authentically, regardless of whether they pursue integration.
• Community is essential: Sharing experiences and connecting with others is a vital part of healing and self-discovery.
• Education matters: Understanding DID/OSDD and spreading accurate information are key to reducing stigma and fostering empathy.

Impact:

Power to the Plurals has become a valuable resource for systems and those seeking to understand dissociative disorders. Its focus on empowerment, advocacy, and education helps individuals navigate the complexities of DID/OSDD and live fulfilling, authentic lives. The platform’s inclusive approach has fostered a supportive community and advanced the conversation around plurality and dissociation.

"This 'Power to the Plurals' video is brought to you by 'The Plural Association' Nonprofit, which has the mission to empower plurals worldwide. For more information, please visit our website www.thepluralassociation.org In this video Sarah Clark shares about our growth surrounding Plural Pride. This video is based on a collective piece of writing our system wrote. We felt this was the most authentic way to share this content. Thank you for watching! We are a trauma based dissociative identity disorder plural system. We got diagnosed in 2012 and since then have been reading everything we could get our hands on. In 2017 we decided to dedicate time and our resources in providing accurate up to date information on DID and OSDD. And to share our personal story living with this condition. By now we have over a 100 videos, many of which are educational. We are in no way professionals or doctors. Nor can or should our videos replace your doctor's advice or medication. We are only experts by experience, from living with this disorder on a daily basis. "