I was in court last Tuesday, supporting the child advocates who volunteer with the child abuse and neglect advocacy agency that I oversee, when a twenty-eight year old woman entered and sat alone on a bench. I’ll call her Rocky. Nine months ago, when Rocky’s son was removed from her care due to her drug use, she left the courtroom in tears. I followed her into the foyer. “I’m Pam,” I said. “Would it be all right if I give you a hug?” She was too distraught to speak, but she n

What do dangerous chlorine gas, an exploding house, and a knife attack mean to you? Hopefully nothing. But for me, these were each experiences that I had growing up with my alcohol-addicted mother. Living with her was like trying to survive in a river of crocodiles. My life was often in danger and it’s a wonder that I wasn’t eaten alive. I survived, obviously, but there’s something else–I overcame. I’m here to give hope and help to the hurting through my creative writing styl

Director of child abuse advocacy agency, CASA, launches debut memoir. If you enjoyed The Glass Castle, you will love JoyRide: Life, Death and Forgiveness. For additional information or to purchase, please visit www.joyridebook.com. Reviews from Amazon: This book caught my attention in the prologue and never let it go. Don’t start reading if you don’t have time to finish – because you won’t want to put it down. Powerful story of survival and love. By Elizabeth Bass on July 21,

My stomach ached with hunger. Mother left my eleven-year-old sister Robin and me home alone for several days without food. The cupboards were bare. The refrigerator had a half empty jug of Gallo and some dried out celery in a produce drawer but that was all. Panhandling wasn’t something I ever imagined for myself. I was nine-years-old, almost fearless, and absolutely lacking in begging skills. I stationed myself outside the neighborhood grocery store, and waited beside the au