Comment by Martina on 05 Jan 2010 at 1:36 pm

Hi Karen! Happy new year! Hope you’re having good holidays. I read your story…don’t know what to say about what happened to you!!! I think you’re the strongest woman on this Earth! Actually…your story is really interesting. Sorry, don’t misunderstand me, I study Psychology, so…I see your case from a student’s point of view. You know, I’m going to do my degree thesis about this argument…and, given that you and Dr Baer are a piece of story I’ll probably mention your book. I mean, you had 17 personalities and now you’re completely reintegrated!

Hope you don’t get offended for my enthusiasm…I do really respect you!

Well…good evening! (Here in Italy it’s 7:30..by the way…sorry for my grammatical mistakes)

Best wishes! You’re great!

Martina

Dear Martina,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I truly appreciate hearing all points of view, especially from a student. Hope your studies are going well! I would love to read your thesis on the debate regarding multiple personality disorder, now renamed dissociative identity disorder. One of many reasons I shared my story was to bring truth about an incomprehensible illness. There have not been many true stories on the subject. Unfortunately, there may always continue to be debates. Why? Because the illness is hard to believe, often mis-diagnosed, and can often be made-up by those seeking attention. I believe multiplicity is a God sent, highly sophisticated coping mechanism. Without my mind creating alters, I would not have survived all the trauma I endured. I feel fortunate to have survived to share my story.

Please know that it touches me to know that you are willing to learn more and include me and Dr. Baer in your writing. And don’t worry, I didn’t pick up any grammatical mistakes…I heard you loud and clear!

If you need any help, please write to me. I’ll do my best to answer your questions. You can also find me on Facebook.

Wishing you lots of luck!

Karen