Surviving the Shadows: A Child's Journey through Abuse. Life is a Story - story.one


Book Description

Surviving the Shadows: A Childs Journey through Abuse is a gripping memoir of resilience and survival. ACWstories chronicles her harrowing experiences growing up in an environment of relentless abuse, sharing how they coped, the psychological wounds inflicted, and her desperate attempts to escape. This powerful narrative follows the authors journey from the brink of despair to a carefully orchestrated escape at 21, leading to newfound freedom and healing. Through therapy and support, ACWstories rebuilds her life, proving that even the deepest scars can heal with time and determination. The book provides a deeper insight into the struggles described in the author's first book, "Echoes of Silent." It expands the understanding of the challenges and developments only hinted at in "Echoes of Silent," allowing readers to connect with the characters' experiences on a more intimate and personal level.




Surviving the Shadows


Book Description

"Filled with examples of courage, wisdom, and innovation, Surviving the Shadows is a must-read for anyone in the military, anyone associated with the military, or anyone protected by the military." —Nate Self, Army Ranger, Captain (ret.), decorated Iraq and Afghanistan War hero, author of Two Wars: One Hero's Fight on Two Fronts—Abroad and Within "The news Bob Delaney brings...is poignant, up-to-date, well earned, and maybe lifesaving: You are not alone; sharing yourself with others can transform your very existence." —James S. Gordon , M.D., author of Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression "Bob Delaney was very effective in addressing our personnel...His perspective as a former law enforcement officer who suffered through PTSD was eye-opening and comforting for our men and women." —Jane E . Castor , Chief of Police, City of Tampa Police Department "Surviving the Shadows is a must-read for all those who serve their city, county, state, or country. Post-Traumatic Stress for too long has been treated like a secret—this book helps to remove that stigma and provides education, awareness, and hope." —Don O'Leary , New York City Fire Department Captain (retired) We are all touched by PTSD in some way—husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, families and friends. Too often we have questions without answers, or don't know where to turn for help. But the truth is, what we really need is each other. Surviving the Shadows is an uplifting journey through powerful and inspiring stories—marked by perseverance and personal courage—about an array of people who have suffered directly or indirectly from Post-Traumatic Stress. Along the way, PTSD education and awareness leader Bob Delaney introduces you to medical experts who have developed groundbreaking methods in dealing with the disorder, and profiles one-of-a-kind programs around the country devoted to assisting PTSD sufferers. The first step to healing is one person away. The stories within Surviving the Shadows will help you understand the truth about Post-Traumatic Stress, and how we can help each other overcome it every day.




Just a Child


Book Description

The first book in the Secrets and Shadows series, Just a Child is a look into the mind of a young girl facing long term sexual abuse. Anna tells her story as it happened, including how events made her feel as they occurred. The story begins when Anna is torn away from her mother at the age of nine and lives with an abusive father. When she begins to sneak out it only seems natural to gain attention from the boys in her neighborhood.Anna becomes the victim of multiple attacks. This no holds barred account of the events is a vivid look into the horror of sexual abuse. This book is not suitable for children under thirteen years of age.




The Shadows of Nikki


Book Description

You are about to take a journey back in time. This story takes place some forty years ago, where the word “abuse” was considered taboo.Within the pages of this book, is the horrific story of one little girl's life. Nikki's adopted parents, the Taylor's, had the entire justice system convinced that Nikki was insane.Nikki had been living in an unthinkable hell for years. Unfortunately, when the truth finally came to light, it was too late.Her story is one of the most shocking cases of child abuse, which never had the chance to be heard. It is time to hear Nikki's story, the side no one would listen to, until now.“The Shadows of Nikki,” is based on a true story of adoption and abuse.What you are about to read, is graphic and terrifying. This book is not intended for under the age of seventeen. Parent discretion is advised.This is the new challenge for the world to embrace. It is called child abuse. We have the power to stop this vicious cycle that has plagued children for years.I Christine D. Patterson will donate fifty cent for every digital version of “The Shadows of Nikki” that is sold to help stop child abuse. For every book that is sold I will donate one dollar.This book is the new version of the 2007 edition. It has been completely edited, and has a new cover.




Life in the Shadows


Book Description

Childhood is supposed to be a time of innocence, discovery, making friends, learning, and enjoying simple, uncomplicated days filled with laughter and fun. But what happens if those idealistic hopes and dreams are squashed in an instant when that little girl is sexually abused? What then?Life in the Shadows is the true story of how one such little girl lived with crippling feelings of shame and an overwhelming need for secrecy. What followed was a life struggling to cope with severe symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder, turning to alcohol for relief and escape, leading to sleep deprivation and almost absolute isolation. Nancy Legere openly shares how she managed to climb up out of the seemingly never ending darkness that enveloped her life after she was raped at the tender age of seven, and the years that ensued with her falling deeper and deeper into the abyss of anger and fear caused by feelings of self-loathing. Feelings of being unworthy of love and incapable of showing any emotion caused Nancy's life to spiral out of control to the point of contemplating suicide to end her struggles with life as she knew it."Nancy brings her courage and 'tell it like it is' persona to this story of her journey out of the hell that is childhood sexual abuse, to the healing path she is now walking. She shares openly and honestly about the toll the abuse took on her physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and how she eventually took back her life and her power. It is a triumphant, hard-hitting, sometimes challenging read that leaves us hopeful about finding our way out of the shadows." Dawn McKelvie Cyr, MA




Healing Childhood Sexual Abuse: An Art Therapist's Journey


Book Description

Healing Childhood Sexual Abuse, An Art Therapist's Journey explores family secrets. The hidden truths are so powerful, so damaging it took years to discover. Slowly, my lost reality flt together, like pieces in a giant puzzle, revealing childhood sexual abuse. The path took fierce courage to find, to speak aloud, to describe with pastels what happened. These paintings may be helpful to some children even though many are scary. Sexual abuse is scary. Talking about the images can help some children or adults find their own voice and may give people permission to create their own expressive art. The book includes creative ideas to explore. The art can say "This is how it was for me:' With or without words, art can speak truth. This book offers survivors, parents, families and therapists visuals that speak powerfully and offers material for discussion. - Ann Owen, MA, MFA - [email protected] and healingjourney123.com Ann is what we might call a 'therapist's therapist'. In her powerful book HEALING CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE, Ann gives us tools for discovering and resolving our own wounds and the wounds of others for whom we may serve as guides and counselors toward healing and wholeness. - Dr. Rebecca A. Martin The book invites you into a place of healing and spunky raw truths where you can explore your own experiences by writing or making art encouraged by Ann's ideas and open questions. - Marjorie Isaacs, Psy. D. Psychologist You are invited to be your own hero, reclaiming your own power to heal. - Anne Conkin, M. Psy. Ann's ability to find her truths gives the reader the hope and belief that they too may discover and release their own source of pain.
- Arleen Carr, M. Ed




Unbroken


Book Description

At the age of thirteen Madeleine Black faced more physical and emotional trauma than most ordinary people do in a lifetime... Violently gang raped and abused, Madeleine became haunted by these horrendous events and for years was unable to overcome the psychological demons which filled her with extreme anxiety and self-loathing. During this terrible period of her life, Madeleine was time and again made the victim, as she was taken advantage of in her fragile state. But Madeleine refused to let this terrible abuse define her life, instead she made a decision to move forward and make her life her own again through committing to the most tremendous act of courage; forgiveness. By choosing to forgive those who committed wrongs against her, Madeleine began to slowly, piece by piece, rebuild her life. This is a story of gut-wrenching adversity, overcome through sheer strength and determination.




Cruel: One Child's Story To Survive


Book Description

A harrowing, yet inspiring true story of a young girl's abusive childhood, from new author Denise Richardson. Denise endured emotional and physical cruelty and molestation at the hands of her mother and her drunken boyfriends. In an environment full of toxic emotions and violence, her survival depended on navigating daily, a safe passage through the basest of human behaviours. An absent, paedophilic father could not be trusted, and her older brother fled, as soon as he was able. Alone, in this domestic battlefield, she faced an unpredictable psychotic mother, regular beatings and torture, all against a backdrop of fear that she would be killed. But throughout Denise kept alive dreams of escaping. This book covers the early years of her life and is an affecting and inspirational book of the horrors of child abuse and the steadfast determination of one child to survive.




A Child Called It


Book Description

An inspirational story; one child's courage to survive.




Scared Selfless


Book Description

“A riveting memoir that takes readers on a roller coaster ride from the depths of hell to triumphant success.”—Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called “It” Michelle Stevens has a photo of the exact moment her childhood was stolen from her: She’s only eight years old, posing for her mother’s boyfriend, Gary Lundquist—an elementary school teacher, neighborhood stalwart, and brutal pedophile. Later that night, Gary locks Michelle in a cage, tortures her repeatedly, and uses her to quench his voracious and deviant sexual whims. Little does she know that this will become her new reality for the next six years. Michelle can also pinpoint the moment she reconstituted the splintered pieces of her life: She’s in cap and gown, receiving her PhD in psychology—and the university’s award for best dissertation. The distance between these two points is the improbable journey from torture, loss, and mental illness to healing, recovery, and triumph that is Michelle’s powerful memoir, Scared Selfless. Michelle suffered from post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, and made multiple suicide attempts. She also developed multiple personalities. There was “Chelsey,” the rebellious teenager; “Viscous,” a tween with homicidal rage; and “Sarah,” a sweet little girl who brought her teddy bear on a first date. In this harrowing tale, Michelle, who was inspired to help others heal by becoming a psychotherapist, sheds light on the all-too-real threat of child sexual abuse, its subsequent psychological effects, and the best methods for victims to overcome their ordeals and, ultimately, thrive. Scared Selfless is both an examination of the extraordinary feats of the mind that are possible in the face of horrific trauma as well as Michelle’s courageous testament to their power.