Only a few of you know that I endured a childhood filled with medical abuse that must have arisen from a factitious disorder from which my mother suffered. The situation is now colloquially referred to as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
I have written about my experience for the last thirteen years, during which time I finally put all the pieces together, at least I hope I have all the pieces collected, but I have shared little of the writing publicly.
I have grouped my writings into the shape of a book, but I’m not sure that I want to wait for a book to be published. My motivation for my belief that this book should be written stems only from the belief that my journey to this point in my life may help someone. I have made it through some rough spots in life in far better condition than most people who have dealt with the same situations. Over the years I have examined my own journey and managed to heal while noting the techniques that most helped me rebuild my understanding of my past and construct my current worldview with honesty and integrity. I want to share those methods and tools. I advocate no medical or therapeutic model and give no advice, but I do believe that talking about my life might give others insight into aspects of their own life journeys to do with as they wish.
In American Culture we have an adage that we claim is a Chinese saying, “May you live in interesting times.” The adage describes a supposed curse. So when I say, “I have lived an interesting life thus far,” many people think I am complaining. Along the way I have also learned that my life has been amazing and wonderful experience. As Jerry Garcia sang, “What a long strange trip its been.” I also want to share this perspective with people who choose to read my words or listen to my talks or stories.
A little over a year and a half ago, just after my brother, who was closest in age to me of all my siblings, passed away, I started this site, The Women’s Legacy Project, as my way of encouraging women to tell their stories so as to help the world heal through their needed wise touch. Eight months after that death, my eldest, and last living sibling, also passed away. I was barely into my late fifties, this did not speak well for my statistical odds of living a long and healthy life. I decided I had to get my own information into the layer of human information, and to do it as soon as possible. I had to be consistent with the site’s motto, “Live Your Legacy Now!”
Human culture is growing new informational niches, with astonishing rapidity, filled with essential but previous locally-constrained, often orally-disseminated, knowledge now that a global information sphere is accessed and readily added to digitally. This is good. It opens opportunities for sharing that were not previously possible.
So… I have decided a few things:
- I love the concept of the women’s legacy project and want to move forward with it as is, but add another aspect to it.
- I should share my own story here on WLP. I will do this as posts or small chapters released serially. These may in the future be formatted into a traditional, print on demand, or electronic book.
- If I do not publish these writings immediately, as a book, I need to support myself in the mean time, and I also need to not give my story away without recouping what I will miss from book sales and book talks. This will require a pay wall.
- Some of the information I will share needs to be behind a digital wall that limits reader access to adults.
- Readers need to give explicit consent that they understand that my story will contain triggers for exploitation, assault, abuse, and neglect of various sorts before they enter this new part of the site.
- It will take a couple of weeks for me to create and rearrange the site to accommodate a membership option.
- I will put up a few background posts before full membership goes live.
- My coaching services will also be accessed through this membership portal.
That is it for now. I would love to hear what your thoughts are as I start out on this new aspect of a woman’s legacy, my own.
I learned about this early as my father, a pediatrician, encountered it in his practice. I’d read that story for sure.
I was always surprised that only one physician confronted my mother about her behavior. No one reported it though. But that was another time. I would be interested to hear what your father called it way back when.
I am so sorry you had such a tumultuous childhood. We have a lot in common.
The best of luck with your project, I’m not sure how it will all work but I look forward to seeing how you put it all together.
Good for you in sharing your story which must bring painful memories. It is great that you have a plan and you are working towards it.
I hope that by sharing your story you find comfort and a helpful outlet.
It’s so important to share our stories – the good ones are easy, but the darker ones often resonate the most. People need to know they are not alone and they can survive and thrive. Good on you for doing this.
Sharing our stories is so important – for both the teller and the reader. I look forward to reading yours although I’m sorry you had to experience it.
Bravo to you for stepping forward and sharing your story with other women and with the world. We can shine a light on our own experiences that others can benefit from!