Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1428

Tonight's special guest is Cole Ian Farnham from Palm Harbor, Florida, a survivor of child abuse with Dissociative Identity Disorder (D.I.D.) which is a result of trauma during early childhood, usually from extreme, repetitive physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Cole was born into an abusive situation. Abandoned by her father before birth, she was raised by a mother who was in and out of abusive relationships. "I witnessed my mother beaten by several different men on many occasions," she says. "I witnessed my brother raped more than once by his own father." Cole herself was repeatedly sexually abused as a infant until about 8. She shares, "Alcohol and drugs where in my home on a consisted basis." She began to eat and learned that food was her reward, her comfort, and her punishment. "I was told to keep silent while these things were going on in my life." At 13 she felt disconnected from people, and later had many unhealthy relationships with men and women. "I would struggle with my sexual identity, I had no respect for my body or any respect for the people I was involved with." In her 20's she would plan and try to commit suicide. Still, Cole managed to get through college and begin a career working with children. Over time her Christian faith began helping her. In the last few years has Cole really been addressing her issues, reconciling with both her parents and learning more about herself, her PTSD and DID .. and she's made a lot of progress. Now she takes her life experiences to give others hope to overcome adversity. Cole Ian is the founder of DID Discovering Hope, where the mission is to empower survivors, educate and share the effects of trauma as a child, with the primary focus on PTSD.