Family Secret: My Shocking True Story of Surviving a Childhood in Hell

Maureen Wood was abused from the age of eight by her older brother and then her step-father. Her mother's abuse was the ultimate betrayal, destroying her. A Family Secret is the harrowing true story of how one little girl survived sickening abuse by the people who should have loved her most.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 18 March 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Each time my mother laid a finger on me, it felt like I was taking a step deeper into the depths of hell. Her abuse, more profound than any other, left me shattered and broken. It felt like the ultimate betrayal, as the person who was supposed to protect and nurture me had become my greatest tormentor.

From the tender age of eight, I was subjected to the unimaginable cruelty of my older brother and then later, my step-father. The constant pain and suffering had become a familiar part of my life, and I had grown numb to it. It seemed as if there was no escape from the darkness that surrounded me.

However, my world came crashing down when my own mother started to abuse me as well. The betrayal was unbearable, as the woman who was supposed to be my guiding light and source of love had turned into my greatest enemy. The pain and trauma that I had endured for so long seemed to intensify, and I felt like I was trapped in a never-ending cycle of abuse.

Despite the overwhelming odds, I managed to survive. I found solace in the support of my extended family and a few close friends who believed in me and stood by me through thick and thin. They provided me with a safe haven, a place where I could escape the horrors of my home life and begin to heal.

It wasn't until I became an adult that I finally began to understand the full extent of the damage that my mother's abuse had caused. I had spent years living in fear, confusion, and self-doubt, unable to trust anyone or form meaningful relationships. I had buried deep inside myself the pain and trauma that had shaped me, and it had taken a toll on my mental and emotional well-being.

In order to heal, I had to confront my past and face the truth about the abuse that I had endured. It was a difficult and painful journey, but I knew that it was necessary if I wanted to move forward and create a life worth living. I sought out therapy and support groups, and I worked tirelessly to rebuild my self-esteem and learn to love myself unconditionally.

Through my healing journey, I discovered the power of forgiveness. I realized that holding onto anger and resentment only perpetuated the cycle of abuse and prevented me from moving forward. Forgiveness was not just for my mother, but for myself as well. It was a way of releasing the hold that the past had on me and allowing myself to heal and grow.

A Family Secret is the harrowing true story of how one little girl survived sickening abuse by the people who should have loved her most. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and support to overcome even the most difficult circumstances. Maureen Wood's journey is a reminder that abuse is not just a family problem, but a societal issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a story that needs to be heard, and a message that needs to be spread.

In conclusion, the abuse that I endured at the hands of my mother was the ultimate betrayal. It shattered me and left me broken, but through the support of my loved ones and my own determination, I managed to survive and heal. A Family Secret is a powerful story of resilience and hope, and it serves as a reminder that abuse is not the end of the road. With the right support and resources, anyone can overcome the pain and trauma of the past and create a life filled with love, happiness, and fulfillment.

Weight: 206g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008441562