Bridget on Questions for Karen: “Hi Karen, I just got done reading your book. I was told that there was possibly a sequel that had…” Sep 20, 18:26Karen answers Amber
Richard Baer on Jun 25th 2009
Comment by Amber on 24 Jun 2009 at 7:58 amIt was a great book and I’m glad you got through everything, but I have a few questions…..1. Are all of the pictures in the book real?2. Will you ever release your identity like Chris Sizemore (EVE) did? Or at least your real first name? (If most of the “bad” people in you life have died, why not?)3. Were all of the alter’s names the real names except for karen 1, karen 2 and karen 3? (I noticed on the jesus picture with the stars that each time “karen” is mentioned you can tell it was changed from the original name.
Dear Amber,
Thank you for your compliments! The pictures shown in the book are real, and most of the originals are in color. My alter Jensen drew them. I’m not sure where his inspiration came from, but I believe as an eleven year old boy he may have spotted a picture that tiggered a memory and used his own creativity to draw it. All I know is that each picture appeared in front of me, usually left on my nightstand, with a note “From Jensen, For Dr. Baer.”
During the writing of Switching Time, and at the time of publication, I chose to remain anonymous for personal reasons. I am not one who wishes to be in the limelight. I don’t believe it’s necessary for anyone to know my real identity. It is my hope to be respected as one woman who dared to share her personal journey.
My wish was to share my story in order to help others. I have done interviews and continue to hope to share my story in person. My real name won’t change who I am and all that I have endured. I am one and the same. I admire Chris Sizemore (Eve) for sharing her story, and like her, I have the need to feel safe. Besides, I had no idea how my story would be perceived and I didn’t wish for my family to be affected in a negative way.
It is true that to my knowledge all my abusers have died. However, just as I felt the need to protect my children from being hurt, there are many extended family members who would be devastated if they knew their beloved relatives were my abusers. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t know, what I mean is that the people I am referring to are elderly, very special to me, lovely and honest, never hurt me, and I love them. I don’t wish for them to pass on knowing that they failed to help me. Maybe one day, when every last elderly relative is dead, I could feel free to share my past as myself without fear. I don’t believe that now is the right time to reveal my true identity.
You are very observant. My real name was changed in the pictures to Karen. The remaining fourteen alters names were not changed.
Thank you for asking such thought provoking questions.
Karen