Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 2830

Tonight's special guest is Monica Boglin from Puyallup, Washington, a survivor of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. "My father was the primary abuser and an alcoholic, and my mother being a victim of spousal abuse inevitably became the classic enabler. The sexual abuse and molestation were from an older brother." Monica believes that both her parents, were abused and abandoned by their on parents, but they had no understanding that they didn't have to repeat the behavior done to them. "They had no one to teach them to identify abuse and/or to ascertain that abuse is wrong. They further failed my siblings and especially my brother.” The onset of Lupus around age 29 caused Monica to realize she had to move past the pain. She came to a deep self-actualization that she needed to practice self-care in order to manage the disease. Research denotes that autoimmune diseases have been linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Monica concludes, “I’ve finally found a way to forgive the unforgivable and to firmly keep anyone and everything harmful out of my life, thus allowing me to accept the hurt but to be more focused on healing. I will have Lupus forever and I will bear the scars of abuse forever, but now as a symbol of strength and perseverance and no longer as shame, anger, or harm. I am professionally employed as a teacher in the adult career education sector." Monica has now completed a Master's degree in metaphysical science and counseling and is well on her way to earning a PhD in the same field. "I hope to further use my story as a way to become of service and to help those along the path to their own healing, because I now know that hope and help is available.”