A book by Mary O'Sullivan
Based on a true story...
Mary, a caseworker at an agency for intellectually challenged people, meets her new client Chris, whose family wants to put him in a group home.
As she gets to know him, Mary begins to question Chris’s diagnosis. Even as his life gets better, with a job and a new home, Chris seems to get worse and worse. After a series of disasters, including a suicide attempt, leave him homeless, Mary takes Chris to stay with her family temporarily. And that’s when the memories come pouring out.
This true story provides a unique view of
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), both from the perspective of a sexual abuse victim recovering the memories of his experiences, and from the
day-to-day observations of the person helping him through it. The grim topic is addressed with love, courage, and humour, and Chris’s journey to recovery offers insights into the effects of PTSD and strategies for dealing with its symptoms.
"It is very tempting to take the side of the perpetrator. All the perpetrators asks is that the bystander do nothing. He appeals to the universal desire to see, hear, and speak no evil. The victim, on the contrary, asks the bystander to share the burden of pain. " Judith Lewis Herman
A worthy contribution to the childhood trauma literature. Exudes a personal, sincere approach to helping others in this particular area. Author is obviously dedicated. Hard to put down, reads like detective story at times with humour, helpful metaphors, and honest appreciation of the human condition. Interesting juxtaposition of helper and helpee perspectives. Written for a lay audience with references to more scholarly ideas that reader can pursue if so desires.
Paul Yablo (Psychologist)
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