 My name is Catherine M. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and a marriage and family therapist. I am also an incest survivor. My father, an untreated manic depressive and alcoholic and an esteemed physician, sexually abused me from the age of about 3 to 17. Though I had many very painful memories of ,my childhood I did not remember the sexual abuse until I was about 40 years old and my mother was dying.At that time I developed PTSD and was plagued with flashbacks. I am now 61 and a new author. In April of 2009 my book, WHEN THE PIANO STOPS: A MEMOIR OF HEALING FROM SEXUAL ABUSE was published by Seal Press. I wrote it in solidarity with others who have endured sexual abuse and those who love them, and I wrote it because of the estimated 3 million children who are being abused now.You can learn more about my book and related work at www.whenthepianostops.com or at its facebook fan page. I sometimes reflect on the fact that it took me more than half a century to get to the point where I could tell the world my story. It wasn't easy but it was imperative to do so, because this has got to stop! I spend a good portion of my time promoting my book through speaking engagements, readings and book signings, and interviews. I want my book to become a call to arms, loving arms--the only kind of arms that should ever touch a child. And I want to spread the message that healing is possible. Many people have helped me along the way; some of them have been authors. Reading their stories helped me to articulate mine, and gave me clues about how healing happens. Peace be with you, and continued healing.
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