Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2745

Tonight's special guest is Chrissy Marie from Turlock, California, born the only child of parents who were very loving and are still married, going on 53 years. "My older cousin was my abuser," she says. "I do not recall anything before the abuse. My earliest memory is preschool age." Chrissy goes on, "I remember being so confused and feeling scared anytime he was around, and he was around me a lot. It lasted until after I was married and only stopped when I came out about the abuse. I was 26 then, for a total of over 20 yrs." Chrissy started therapy for the first time in her mid 20s. Professional services helped her a lot. "I have spent a lot of time in patient in the psych hospital as well I have been in therapy on and off thru my adult life. Currently I'm in therapy and have 8 ½ years clean from meth & opiates I still have a lot of flashbacks. I've grown a lot in the past couple of years. I feel stronger than I ever have but still feel angry often." Chrissy has not yet started talking to help adult survivors of child abuse victims today, but says she'd like to in the future. Nor has she yet spoken to groups, saying, "Not yet, but I'm so thankful to be participating in this [talk show].