Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 1848

Tonight's special guest is Patricia (Patsy) Rettig from Bayonne, New Jersey, a survivor of neglect and severe physical and emotional abuse joining us for the first time. After 27 years, she has completed a memoir entitled 'Patty's Turn; Surviving the Tidal Waves of Abuse.' The book describes growing up one of 14 children in a home that “never seemed to be enough of anything, clothes, food, bedding, etc.” and with a mother who was so violent Patsy ended up hospitalized. In addition, she suffered physical abuse by siblings and witnessed her parents ongoing fighting. The result was living with constant fear as a young child which became anger and rebellion as a teenager. Her first marriage was to an abusive alcoholic who and later she had another relationship that was so abusive she almost did not survive. However, Patsy's story is one with a light at the end of the tunnel. "Although it is my story of decades of abuse," she says, "I share my story in hope of empowering other women to live a better life and gain their self-worth." Patsy found the motivation to turn things around through her children. She was able to break the chain of abuse and has now been happily married for 12 years. She is a proud mother and grandchildren stating, “life is filled with faith, peace, love, and happiness,” as she focuses on her art and writing. Patsy has already written a second book entitled ‘Woven Webs and the Metal Box' which is soon to be released. We want to welcome Patsy to the NAASCA family and invite listeners to call in to join in the discussion as Patsy shares more of her inspirational story.