Comment by Jessica Lynn on October 31, 2008 7:09 pm

Boo!

Happy Halloween!

Jessica Lynn

Dear Jessica Lynn,

Ditto!

Have a great day!

Karen

Comment by Dr. A.J.K. on October 29, 2008 4:54 pm

This is an amazing book of one doctor and one patient. It’s one of a kind, never has there been anything written such as this story. A truly remarkable addition to every psychology student and professor’s library. All who read will be taken on a once in a lifetime journey to the inner workings of the mind of one multiple personality patient and the mind of her therapist. A beautifully intense read. This book proves there are doctors who take the extra steps and do the right thing by taking on an extreme case, holding the rein and not letting go. As for Karen, what a patient to not let go and give up on the therapy. In the psych. world not many can tolerate such intensity for so many needed years of psychoanalytic based sessions. Unbelievable and worth reading!

Dear Dr. A.J.K.,

Thank you so much for your review!  Dr. Baer and I truly appreciate all of your kind thoughts, medically profound comments, enthusiasm and compliments.

You have made our day!

Karen

Comment by Madelyn on October 29, 2008 2:31 am

Karen,

I am in shock of all that you suffered as a child. When reading Switching Time and other articles on you I couldn’t believe how insensitive your mother was. Did she not love you? I would like to ask you a difficult question. Did you ever wish you would’ve died from the tumor on you head? How big was your tumor and did it cover your entire face making you look unlovable? Do you have a huge scar that is still visible? When you were a child and ill all the time what kind of illnesses did you have? As a child that lost time do you think your illnesses were from being abused or regular child illnesses? Do you think you would’ve been abused if your were a well child? You are the strongest woman I ever read about.

Madelyn

Dear Madelyn,

I believe the reason my mother was insensitive to my needs was because by ignoring me she didn’t need to deal with the reality of what was happening to me and protected herself.  My mother avoided all signs of the distress I was experiencing in order to believe she was a perfect mother.  My mother always kept things clean, baked, and worked at a job that kept her away five evenings a week.  My mother wasn’t there for me during the hours I was being abused.  I believe my mother loved me in her own way but was unable to express any real emotions.  She never hugged me or said she loved me.

The tumor I had was removed when I was two or three years old.  I can remember the hospital, my crib, my doll, but not the humiliation my mother and father felt when people stared. The tumor covered most of my eye, protruded about two inches, and was between the size of a golf and tennis ball. It wasn’t a pretty sight, but I don’t believe I was abused because of the way I looked.  I still have a scar, but now it’s only slightly visible.

I may have gone through more childhood illnesses than most children do.  Some of my illnesses may have been caused from being abused.  I really don’t know.  Not being a well child wasn’t reason to be abused.  My abusers didn’t care whether I was well or not.  In their minds I was vulnerable, available to them, with no one to protect me.

Karen

Comment by Danielle Leigh on October 28, 2008 3:52 pm

Dear Karen,

Thank you for sharing your story. I complain a lot. I am privileged. I would never comprehend things like this happening in the world. My teacher had our class read your book. I didn’t want to but for a grade had to. I am inspired by you. I shall not complain again. I am so lucky never to have experienced a life like yours. I am eighteen and haven’t made any effort to learn about life. I am a freshman in college. Mom and Dad pay for everything, I am set for life and the worst memory I had in life so far was my parents not buying me a car at sixteen. I felt abuse for this? Imagine that? I did receive my car at seventeen. My problems can’t be worse than yours but I told people they are horrible selfish parents. I guess I was wrong. I am very lucky my parents gave me everything including a wonderful childhood. This book woke me up. I hate that I am privileged. I decided to change my way of controlling my parents to get what I want.

Did you have nice things growing up? Did you receive things you wanted? Did your parents buy you things for being guilty? How about nice clothes? I could never survive what you did. You are my hero.

Danielle Leigh

Dear Danielle Leigh,

I appreciate you sharing your story and how you became more aware of your own life through reading Switching Time. As a college freshman you’re starting your own personal journey, and you will experience many different relationships in your lifetime.  At sixteen you felt abused by not receiving a car.  Of course, this was an illusion.  In my opinion, having these feelings are okay and changing the way you feel as you look back at these experiences means you have matured.

I can understand your underlying feelings of guilt having told others that your parents were horrible and selfish.  Don’t be too hard on yourself; it’s all a part of growing up.  I believe that now you’re sorting it all out.  It’s nice to hear that you came to appreciate your parents, and that you will no longer try to control them.  This is an amazing sign of maturity.  I am glad my story was helpful.  I wish you all the best.

During my childhood there weren’t as many things for kids to get as there are today.  There were no cell phones, iPods, or laptop computers.  I lived a simple life.  I attended catholic school, came home and watched television, did my homework, and soon it was bedtime.  I had a doll or two, but I never had any designer clothing and never asked for anything. I read books from the library. I never went to a movie theater until I was eighteen.  My parents never bought me things out of guilt, but my father would buy my mother material things to make up after he’d hurt her.

Thank you for letting me inspire you; that was very touching and I truly appreciate your compliment.

Karen