Comment by Wendy Son 09 May 2010 at 1:44 pm

Karen

I sat down on Friday with your story thinking I would be reading a clinic account of MPD. Instead, I found myself engrossed for the next two days with your story. I literally could not put it down. Your strength and spirit are both unbelievable and inspiring. To endure, to survive, to continue after what your mind and body experienced is a feat within itself, let alone your ability to open yourself back up to the pain and take the steps to heal. I am a psychology major and your story has forever changed the way I perceive MPD, especially after just learning the very clinical aspects thought my psych classes. I hope that in these next semesters I can have the chance to study MPD more and find out about the clinical aspects of helping those who are in need of treatment. You inspire me to want to help others, to watch for signs of abuse within children I am around, and to continue on my path in psychology. One day I hope to have even half the impact on a life as Dr. Baer had with yours. Thank you so much for having the courage to share your journey and for reminding us all that abuse is out there lingering behind closed doors. Hope life is finding you well these days and hope you have a very Happy Mother’s Day. Thank you again for touching my life and good luck to you!

Dear Wendy,

You’re welcome! Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts and compliments!  Though my journey has been a difficult one, I always believed God chose me to survive and help others by encouraging hope through sharing my story. I am blessed to have found the right therapist to accompany me on my journey. I can’t imagine ever getting this far without appropriate and unconditional guidance and support. There’s a great need for good, empathic therapists who can see beyond their text-books into the spirit of those who hurt.

Multiple personality disorder (multiplicity, I prefer to call it) is an incomprehensible illness. There are many false cases and doctors who try to influence that diagnosis onto their patients. My doctor did not. I was fortunate Dr. Baer didn’t treat me and my alters as an oddity. I have a favorite quote by Jonathan Swift: “Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” I believe Dr. Baer was able to envision my world and alters as I shared with him my horror. I am glad to hear that my story has touched you.

What is most important to me is to help provide knowledge of what can happen to a child when abused. The pain of abuse may subside but never really goes away. Knowledge is the key. There are visible signs that identify an abused child if we pay attention and know what to watch for. No one paid attention to me and many could’ve helped, but they turned their backs on me in fear of causing trouble for themselves.  As responsible adults I believe we all need to watch out for all our children. That doesn’t mean to accuse before facts are known, but definitely pay attention to the signs and do the right thing when needed. I wish someone was brave enough to help me.

I am touched that my story inspired you to continue on in psychology. Thank you once again for sharing. Please know that you can write me anytime here or join me on Facebook. I’d love to hear how your future learning experiences help you uncover the mysteries of the mind.  I’m sure you will be a wonderful therapist.

Wishing you much success. Thank you for choosing a profession to help others.

Karen