Who is this book for and how will it help?
This book is written for people who are going through a rough time or who know a friend or family member who is struggling with things like drugs, alcohol, suicide attempts, food, sex, anger and other destructive behavior.
The book tells the story of a suicidal mother who was sexually abused as a child and her HIV-positive son who started to use drugs and sex as a means to escape his pain of stigma and rejection. It highlights the importance of breaking free from destructive and almost automatic behavior through proper reflection, self-care, self-love and healing processes.
The book could be helpful for psychiatrists and psychologists as well as people in the healing and coaching industry. The book will show you what could be going on in the mind of people who are suffering from trauma and depression and provide with potential insights in how to approach and care for them in a way that is constructive and helps them on their journey.
Finally, this book may be useful for gay people who are HIV-positive or know someone who is and to help make sense of it all, to deal with the stigma that is still out there and to find a way to make peace with it and to love yourself.
Summary of the book
After a traumatic childhood, Monique has a wonderful marriage and four beautiful children-the ideal picture she'd had in mind for her life. However, a few years after the birth of her daughter, her past seems to catch up with her. By not feeling understood by the care providers her suicide attempts became worse and worse, much to the family's sorrow and grief.
One evening, Monique even attempts to take her life at the family's home. Bart saw his mother lying on the gurney while she was being resuscitated by the ambulance personnel. Will she survive this again? he wondered.
At that moment, he decides to emigrate to the other side of the world to stop experiencing this pain that has played out through his young life and to start over. Years later, Bart has built up a good life in Australia, when he suddenly has to leave the country when his visa application is denied.
But will he be able to make a new start somewhere else? This time he chooses Thailand, a country where he quickly feels at home. However, the pain of having to leave Australia and the loss of the home situation is too intense, and he seeks relief in sex and drugs.
What followed were years of painful processes for Bart and Monique, who both try to keep their heads above ground. Are they able to change their lives; face their pain and experience love for themselves and for each other?
What other say about this book
"People who read this book now have the advantage of learning through Bart & Monique's struggles and experiences that they can shave off years of unnecessary perceptions of pain."
- Dr. John Demartini
