Victim. Survivor?

I was raped. I was victimized. When I sought help, when I looked for something to call myself, pamphlets and blogs and websites gave me a word: Survivor.

I considered it.

Survivor - a person who continues to funtion or prosper in spite of opposition.

Awesome until “in spite of”. In spite of? Really?

“In spite of…” - in disregard or defiance of.

This just isn’t getting any better is it?

Disregard - pay no attention to; ignore; leave out of consideration.

Defiance - a daring or bold resistance to authority or opposing force.

This does not look good.

Review: Survivor - A person who continues to function or prosper in disregard or defiance of opposition.

I do not claim to be a survivor. I do not continue to function because I resisted the things done to my body. I do not continue to function because I ignored what was done to my body.

I function and I prosper because what was done to me did not break me. And because it did not break me, I choose to continue moving forward. I acknowledge my rape. I acknowledge that it fundamentally changed the way I perceive the world.

But I don’t know if I call that survival.

Discuss. Your thoughts?