Texas Teacher Admits She Drew on Personal Experience of Childhood Sexual Abuse to Pen Courageous Novel. "It's High Time I Stop Hiding," Author Says.

    MABANK, TX, October 20, 2008 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Courage in Patience is the story of fifteen-year-old Ashley Nicole Asher, who is sexually, emotionally, and physically abused by her stepfather, from the age of nine. When she at last tells a trusted teacher what has been happening to her, Child Protective Services steps in and Ashley is removed from her mother's home then reunited with her biological father, who has not been a part of Ashley's life since infancy. Through the summer school English class taught by her stepmother, Ashley learns to face her greatest fears and, along with other teens, discovers just how strong she is.

"It is important to me that I identify myself as a survivor of sexual abuse, because I want others who may have suffered at the hands of another person to know that they are not alone, and that that there is hope for recovery," Fehlbaum said. "People who are sexually abused experience every inch of their lives as covered in shame. And the message I have for them is, 'The shame does not belong to you. It belongs to the person who stole your innocence.' "

Initially, Beth Fehlbaum did not openly identify herself as having what she calls 'the life experience' to write a book like Courage in Patience. Instead, she attributed her knowledge of what it is like to be sexually abused, to working with abused children over the years in her capacity as a teacher. "I realize now that that was just more hiding-- and, to tell you the truth, I don't want to hide anymore. I've spent enough of my life in small, dark, places, and the time has come for that to end."

Childhood Sexual Abuse is all too common. According to statistics from the website, Darkness2Light, "An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today."

About Beth Fehlbaum

Beth Fehlbaum, who continues to teach in an East Texas school district, is on an extended book tour on the weekends, traveling throughout Texas. She is available for television, radio, and print interviews. Her book tour schedule is on her website, courageinpatience.blogspot.com

For more information about Beth Fehlbaum or to schedule an interview, please call 903 880 0282 (leave message) or e-mail [email protected].

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