Comment by Chloe on 15 Feb 2012 at 9:41 pm

Heard you on Sam’s All Things Relevant radio show last night. I love the way you are at ease in answering the craziest questions. I live in New Jersey and listened to you before. Everytime I listen I learn some good advice. I am not a multiple but live pretending not to be an abused woman which kinds reminds me of separating like you did. I reallllly like you, Karen. Thank you! Good night.

Dear Chloe,

Thank you! I’m at ease because I find no question odd or intimidating. I understand people are curious and it’s interesting to me what questions they asked. Just when I thought I had answered every question imaginable, another question comes through and amazes me. There’s never a lack of answers. I answer each question individually and never look back to previously answered questions. That way I don’t need to worry about coming up with similar answers. There is always only one answer, mine. I do my best and do not feel overwhelmed by the questions asked, crazy or not.

Thank you for listening to Sam’s radio show. I share about once every month or two. I enjoy Sam and her friendship! I am glad to hear you listen and always learn something new.

Wishing you all my best!

Karen

Comment by Lisa on 15 Feb 2012 at 9:29 pm

Hi Karen,

I love your book. I applaud your recovery from such abuse. You (all of you) are an inspiration to all.

I grew up roughly in the same area as you (south side of Chicago area) roughly the same time you did.

Thank you for sharing your story.

Dear Lisa,

Thank you, for applauding my recovery! Please know that it took a team to help me survive. I’m grateful to have had the best care from my psychiatrist, my alters, and more recently an entire network of supportive friends. Growing up in the south side of Chicago had its ups and downs, but I was fortunate to have found some inspiration among chaos.

The neighborhood I lived in as a child was once beautiful and there were some kind people who prayed for me all the time. Sadly, back then no one knew what to do about what they saw, were afraid to make waves, and ignored obvious signs that I was in trouble. Life is different these days.  There’s much more awareness about abuse and most people are no longer afraid to speak up. I feel encouraged to know children are learning how to defend themselves by sharing and seeking help. It’s amazing the self-confidence gained when children are taught about abuse and know it is wrong. I didn’t have that advantage.

It’s not the neighborhood that makes bad things happen, it’s the few sick people who hurt children and are not caught that can ruin the reputation of an otherwise wonderful beautiful area to grow up.  My abusers should have been caught early on, instead they hid in plain sight without anyone paying attention to them. No one stepped up and helped the children they very well knew were being abused. That was sad.

Thank you for sharing!

Karen

Comment by Texas Admirer on 14 Feb 2012 at 8:24 pm

Karen,

I don’t mean to write in an inappropriate way though I needed to share that you have touched my heart and so many as you read your testimony at Celebrate Recovery. Without my writing more just realize you have made so many people feel hope. Thank you for having the courage to tell your testimony in our town. God has blessed us with you and we won’t let you go. Peace sister.

Dear Texas Admirer,

Thank you for sharing that you were present for my testimony at Celebrate Recovery. I’m glad to have found Celebrate Recovery when I arrived in Texas. I knew my moving from Chicago could be an overwhelming challenge on my journey to wholeness and believe it was faith that put me in the right place at the right time. I believe I landed right where I needed to be. I have found the most amazing compassionate caring family of friends I never thought possible.

Before moving to Texas I had never heard of Celebrate Recovery and I’m grateful to have found this Christ inspired healing group. I now call Texas my home. I feel blessed and filled with hope. I am also glad to hear that you feel blessed in knowing me and won’t let me go! It’s nice to feel I belong and to be considered “family” by all! Thank you!

Wishing you all my best!

God bless you!

Karen

Comment by Concoydu on 10 Feb 2012 at 6:15 pm

Hey Karen,

I just finished your book today. And I will probably go through all the answers you gave here (already done with a couple months) and will admire you even more with each day.

You ARE an inspiration, with the strength and love inside you. I am fascinated by you. What you’ve been through was not your fault, you did what you can do to cope. (On that page, it’s incredible what a mind is capable of.) But after everything, what fascinates more is you could became “one”. From the person that came into the office of Dr.Baer, you could have become this person who answers these mails from all around the world (I’m from Turkey by the way, it’s a proof how much you reached through).

Such a journey. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I know little things can change so much in person, and anyone reading this can see the world from a different angle. I know I did. So, thank you.

With love,

Cansu

Dear Cancoydu,

You’re welcome! Greetings from me to you and yours in Turkey! Thank you so much so sharing with such confidence and joy! I’m touched by your kindness and feel inspired to continue doing my best to share and help bring encouragement to all on their personal journey to wellness. I’ve been blessed with an over abundance of great friends I’ve met through sharing my story around the world. I’ve never felt so much love as I do now. I wake each day feeling inspired to be my best self. I’m grateful to be alive and well and able to live a life I once thought impossible.

Thank you for caring!

Karen

Comment by Walter on 04 Feb 2012 at 2:03 pm

Karen, I can’t begin to put what I have to say in words. I have a friend who claimed to be a mpd woman and in dating her I have discovered many strengths but didn’t believe in the possibility of altering ones mind to shift into another person so I assumed she did things to seek my undivided attention BUT, a BIG HUGE BUT, in reading your story I have come to understand HER a whole lot better! Thank you child of God! I wish you a safe healthy beautiful future. I don’t know how you do it BUT bless you. Keep working Jesus walks with you, never doubt that!

Dear Walter,

I am touched by your kind thoughts and compliments, especially admitting that you once disbelieved your friends bizarre illness. That’s the main reason I felt that by sharing my story I could bring knowledge and understanding to a once incomprehensible illness.

Multiple Personality Disorder, now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder, has been deemed fake time and again. It’s time to acknowledge the truth about this disorder and bring awareness of what can happen to someone who has suffered so greatly that their mind needed to fragment to survive. I’m glad to hear you’re now able to understand your friend.

Thank you again for your blessings. It’s my hope I continue living a safe and wonderful future.

Wishing you all my best!

God bless you!

Karen

Comment by Vidhi Shah on 29 Jan 2012 at 11:21 am

Karen,

I just read “Switching Time” and I have my friends hooked on the book. I do not really have a question, but I do want to let you know, you are a strong, cool, and just an inspiring person.

Dear Vidhi Shah,

Thank you so much for your vote of confidence and feeling good about sharing my story with your friends! That means a lot to me. I’m touched that you believe me to be strong, cool, and inspiring! You most certainly have brought a smile to my face. Thank you kindly.

Wishing you all my best!

Karen

Comment by Sandra on 12 Jan 2012 at 10:52 pm

Dear Karen

You are a blessing to me! When I read your story I felt like God placed your in my world on purpose. I think you have an amazing message to share. I am feeling overwhelmed with gladness for you. Thank you, dear child of God. Knowing you inspires me to never ever give up.

Blessings sent your way.

Sandra

Dear Sandra,

Thank you for your kind thoughts! I believe we are all here for a reason and that reason is to love and learn from each other. Wisdom comes from knowledge shared when we listen with an open heart.  For me, sharing is just another way of helping myself heal. It takes time to heal and I’m grateful to be in a position to share with others and grow spiritually.

Blessings to you, too!

Karen

Comment by Ted on 12 Jan 2012 at 5:19 pm

How do you keep positive each dawn of a new day?  Any suggestions you use that could help me enjoy the day?

Dear Ted,

I wake with gratitude. I’m glad to be alive and I feel blessed to start each new day. I believe each morning is a fresh start and another chance at living. Yesterdays can never be relived and there is no need to worry about tomorrow. Living my life in the here and now keeps me happy.

Journal all the thoughts that you can build on and leave the past thoughts behind. Have faith and a better life will follow!

Wishing you all my best!

Karen

Comment by Jessi on 09 Jan 2012 at 12:02 am

I love, love, love you for sharing your story! I was lost and found hope when reading about someone else who dissociated their way through life. I thought I was alone but your strength gave me hope to improve my future! Thank you from the bottom of my God saved heart!

Dear Jessi,

Thank you so much for sharing! I feel blessed and inspired to know that my story touched you! We are survivors and it’s my desire to encourage hope in any way I can. I’m so glad to hear that your future has improved! I’m touched by your enthusiasm.

Wishing you all my best as you journey to wellness!

God bless you.

Karen