Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2375

Tonight's special guest is Shirley J Davis from Springfield, Illinois, a survivor of child abuse and a writer for blogs, magazines and websites. Shirley, a returning guest, is the survivor of severe and repeated childhood trauma that included physical, emotional and sexual abuse. "The abuse I endured began when I was a newborn and lasted until I was fifteen years old," she says. "There was [enough] severe neglect and torture involved that made it impossible for my mind to form a cohesive whole 'I'. Instead, I formed dissociative identity disorder, what was once known as multiple personality disorder." It is in this area, DID or Dissociative Identity Disorder, that is the subject of much of the material Shirley writes. "My ego states were kept separated at the developmental stage where they should have come together. So, when I am triggered, an ego state or alter is triggered to life," she explains. "It has taken me more than twenty-five years of arduous work in therapy to overcome the chaos that was my life." She goes on, "I have had six books published that are mental health related, and many children's books," she says. Shirley also contributes to a blog and provides motivational sayings for a smartphone application. "I now spend my time working with others in the DID community and writing to spread truthful information about dissociative identity disorder. My goal is simple, to help others who are struggling to live calm and fruitful lives." We're delighted she's doing so for our NAASCA family!