Interview

*changes to how to win

There will be no Weekly Mail Call today. Child Abuse Month is more important to me than telling you guys what books I got.


Today we have Beth Fehlbaum, author of Courage In Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse. Available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com

Her website is http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com/




Have you personally experienced child abuse?
Yes. I was sexually abused beginning at age 8, into my teens; I was emotionally abused and also experienced neglect.

When you see children who look scared of their parents what do you want to do?
I want to take the child aside and try to get him or her to talk to me. The thing is, many times, kids are the ones who most try to convince everyone else that things are fine at home.

Teens practically abuse themselves in some of the ways they act. Why do adults feel the need to add to it? Thoughts?
I see what you're saying-- some of the choices teens make are self-destructive. I'm not sure adults think about it in terms of trying to add to it. I think sometimes adults are clumsy in the way they approach teens who are in pain, or the pain they see their kids going through strikes them in a way that they are not prepared to handle, either because of their own "stuff" (history), or because they are unaware of how their actions contribute to the hurt the teen is experiencing-- or because they are so caught up in their own lives they simply do not consider how their lack of understanding is wounding their kids.

Where should a teen or child look for help?
In my book, Courage in Patience, the main character, Ashley, finds help when she is forced by her best friend Lisa to confide in a trusted teacher. If I had felt a connection to a teacher when I was growing up, I think I might have spoken up, too. I am a teacher as well as a writer-- and I try to develop trusting relationships with my students so that they know they can count on me to care about them as people, not "just" as people who take up space in my classroom.

Do you have any advice for a teen who is experiencing domestic violence?
As hard as it is to trust others when you are in an abusive situation, I really encourage you to reach out and talk to teachers or parents of your friends.

Do you think child abuse is one of the worst crimes?
Absolutely-- the thing is, it tends to be a vicious cycle and it is only in telling what is going on and getting help to break the cycle that it is stopped. It takes honesty, courage, a support system, and a skilled mental health professional to navigate the minefield of recovery.

any last thoughts?
Yes: there is hope. Never forget that there is hope, and you are NOT alone.



Contest alert! Beth is giving away a copy of Courage in Patience. This is not a random contest. One winner will be chosen, You must have completed all two tasks.
1. Write a paragraph about what you would do to help a friend OR a time time that you have had to face up to something that was hurting you in any way.
2. Subscribe to my blog
US and Canada only...
Lets get this out there guys!