"Snapshots from a Broken Camera" is my first book. It's a collection of short stories about the abuse I suffered as a child (and an adult) and my day to day struggles with Multiple Personality Disorder. Other than close friends, until recently not a whole lot of people know I have MPD. FYI - The fact that I suffer from MPD isn't something I usually advertise. I guess this means I'm coming out in a BIG way. Which I could tell you my life reads like an episode of "The United States of Tara", but it doesn't, never has. I started writing this book in 1991, a year or so after my Dad died, and have worked on it off and on ever since. Truth be told, for decades, everytime I came close to finishing ... I'd toss out the entire book. Suffice it to say I've had mixed feelings about getting my life down on paper. About the book format. NOTHING is in order. That's sort'a kind'a the way memories work for me. I can be hit with memories any time any place. Also, there's no way I can predict what memories will hit or when. One moment I could be sitting at South Coast Plaza drinking a cup of tea, then I'll hear something ... or smell something ... or see something that triggers a memory and I'm gone. I Designed this book to look and read like a magazine, with lots of color, photos and graphics. The book comes in two flavors ... full color (more expensive) and black and white (the cheaper of the two). It is also available in electronic format via Kindle, without graphics and photos. I hope my book is a good read. The subject matter wasn't easy to write, nor is it easy to read. (I cry everytime I read it) Abuse isn't isn't exactly an easy sort of subject. NOTE: THIS BOOK WAS NOT WRITTEN FOR CHILDREN! If you are an adult survivor and/ or are diagnosed with DID, MPD and/or PTSD, be careful when reading this book. The subject matter is somewhat graphic in places and could trigger flashbacks.
About the Author: Jeanne Barkemeijer de Wit is the first American born member of her family. The rest of her family, including her brother Dick, were all born in the Netherlands. Her parents were Nel and Dick Barkemeijer de Wit. Jeanne lives with her husband Johnnie in Anaheim, California. They have both been active in Greyhound rescue for decades, and share their home with two retired Greyhound racers (Harvey and Raleigh) and a Borador (Pupper) they rescued from the pound. Jeanne's family was adopted by three cats, (Verbal, a 26 year old Calico), (Tanja, a 4 year old Siamese) and (Mookie, a 2 year old Bengal Mix with developmental issues) who run the entire household (including the dogs). Jeanne has been on Social Security Disability since around 1990. As of 2013, she was still undergoing therapy for mental health issues. She still loses time and dissociates. In September 2013, when this book was first published, she was also recovering from a pulmonary embolism and multiple small strokes. "Snapshots from a Broken Camera", an autobiography based on her life and the abuse she suffered. This work is Jeanne's first book. Jeanne's biographical information has been listed in the following since 1990: Marquis Who's Who in America [Macmillan Directory Division] Marquis Who's Who in American Women [Macmillan Directory Division] Marquis Who's Who in the World [Macmillan Directory Division] Jeanne is also a published composer / musician, who's music CDs can be listened to and/or purchased online. Additionally Jeanne's illustrations, paintings, graphics, photography and other stories, have been displayed and/or published internationally and garnered her numerous awards.