We are joined today by Amanda Young, author of “Silent Prisoner,” which is based on a true story of a young woman’s journey through child abuse and domestic violence, and how she uses her faith to overcome the traumas she has experienced. Amanda is herself the victim of violence in her own life, and now works as a registered nurse. We are honored to have her here with us today.
Amanda, your recently released book is about your experiences as a victim of abuse and the ways you found strength and healing. How old were you when the abuse began in your life?
I was born to alcoholic parents. My mother was not sober when she gave birth to me. My father was often found in alleyways. My mother was beaten so badly by my father she was often hospitalized. I recall at an early age going to neighbor’s doors to beg for food because my parents were gone for days at a time. I once stole food from a dog’s bowl in my neighbor’s back yard as I was so hungry. I was taken to an orphanage at about the age of five or six where it continued, but I would say the abuse for me began at birth.
You mention that it was through your faith in God that the healing began. Did you always believe in God, or did someone introduce you to Him later in your life?
I was very sick when I was in the orphanage. Again, about five or six. I recall how my lungs hurt so badly and I was coughing up black looking mucus. As a nurse, now, I am sure I had pneumonia. I collapsed on the playground and was taken inside the house where all of us children lived and placed in a tub of water with ice in it. I could not breathe and then passed out and that is when I saw the gold light and a face smiling down at me. I remember feeling very sad when the image disappeared from sight. When I came to completely a few days later, I was in a bed at the orphanage. I was not about to tell them what I saw, as I would have been punished for saying such a thing.
I went to live with an aunt when I was about eight. She was so wonderful and kind. She had a strong faith in God and would take me to church on Sundays with her. I would stare up at her as she smiled up at the pastor and noticed one day that she had a golden light around her just like I had seen when I was sick. She turned to me and smiled and she looked so much like the face that I saw in the golden light that day. I write of her in my story and call her Aunt Mary. I call her that because she has the same peaceful calm on her face that Jesus’ mother does in paintings and on statues. She talked openly of God and the angels to me. She changed my life and I hope to live my life as she did. To always strive to be a good person and loving person to everyone as best as I can.
We will continue our conversation with Amanda tomorrow. In the meantime, you can learn more about her book by clicking here.
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