People from around the world

I get letters like these all the time. I have received thousands over the years. I took a few and posted them below. This is the reason I speak so public because there are so many that walk the same path and do not even know it. Those who thank me I tell them to thank the man upstairs for God made this all possible. He has many more mountains he is going to help me move in this lifetime.

Letters

I just finished reading you book.  It has helped me realize that I need to finally get help for what happened to me as I as a child.  I was raped and molested as a child from the age of 10 to the age of 15 when my brother moved out,  that was one of the happiest days of my life.  I never told anyone though until a year ago I ended up trying to find ways to numb the pain the wrong ways. I did a lot of drugs and drank a lot and ended up getting addicted to cocaine off and on for a few years. I just wanted to thank you and let you know that you have inspired me to change my life.  I haven’t done any drugs in almost three months now, hopefully getting help will help me even more to stay off of them.

-Woman from unknown area-

Thank you for allowing me to find my voice and break my silence. Because of you I no longer feel so alone in this world. While you may be on the other side of the world from me I still know I am not alone and someone else can relate. Your book has helped me understand that. I hope someday we can meet.

-Woman from Australia-

I don’t think it was by chance that I found your book. I know that God has a path for me that I didn’t really understand. But after reading your book I know what I want to do with my life. Ever since it happened, I knew that I wanted to do something to help others with similar situations, but I didn’t know where to start. I have already helped others with their pain and speaking out, but I want to do more, help more people, make more people aware!

-Woman from Canada-

A little while ago, while wandering around my local bookstore and ever so discreetly reaching the self help section, I came across your book. I’d spent many many hours so adamantly searching for something that could help me. Something that would make my pain go away, and would stop this vexation of an emotional roller coaster to stop. Across the scattered titles of self help workbooks and instant life makeovers, I found Stolen Innocence. Or as I like to believe, it found me. Reading your diary was like reliving my past so vividly. Tears streamed down my face at every memory you captured and I understood your pain. But as I continued to read, I cried more and more for I realized that you were healing yourself and letting everything go. My heart did an enormous leap for I realized there is strength to carry on after all that we have been through and I felt as though this is what I needed to give myself that final extra push to heal myself. Your words of encourgment and journey to forgive was so beautiful and strong. Reading your story was what gave me the strength to finally heal myself completely.

-woman from unknown area-

Thanks for allowing me to find the inner strength to share my story and find my voice. After reading your story I know I am not alone in this world. You have given me so much hope. I have only told one other person. You are an inspiration to me.

-Woman from United Kingdom-

I read your book in 1 1/2 days!  I just couldn’t put it down!!  It hit home so much that I was sickened throughout the whole book right to the end.  It is so amazing that you got through all of this and have come out to help others in the same situation. The first time I saw you was on the Montel show.  It’s really weird, too, because I never watch the Montel show.  I was flipping through the channels and just decided to watch it that day.  You are such an inspiration to me and I am sure to many others.  Keep up the good work!  I will be looking for you on other tv appearances.

-Woman from Mississippi-

You are a strong and brave girl to take that step.  Thanks for being a voice thru book and on television on this subject.

-Woman from Texas-

I am 15 years old. I have recently finished your book. It was amazing an powerful. I know exactly what you are talking about. I was abused by two cousins for ten years.You book helped me break my silence and get help. I have a therapist now and I have told my parents and my best friend. They help out so much. I still have  horrible nightmares and flashbacks, But now I know they will never ever get me again. Thank you for writing your book. It has helped me and so many others.

-Teen from unknown area-

Thank you for doing what I could not do 39 years ago. I am a 49 year old victim of sexual abuse from my step grandfather. So glad I saw you on television.

-Woman from unknown area-

Just wanted to let you know that I just finished your book. My daughter suffered a very similar experience to yours. She is currently in a therapeutic boarding school trying to work things out. She turns 17 next week and this started when she was about 10 years old. We only found out a few months ago.
It has been such a difficult time for our whole family. When I saw you on Good Morning America last weekend I immediately ordered your book. I just finished it and am mailing it to my daughter. I was amazed at the similarities between the two of you….it made a lot of her behaviors easier to understand. I hope she gets as much out of reading your book as I did. I hope it empowers her to take back control of her life. She has suffered long enough. I hope it makes her think…”If Erin can do it, so can I” My hat goes off to you. You sound like a wonderful young woman and I just know all of your dreams will come true.

-A mother of an abused daughter-

I am a 42 year old adult.  Your book was helpful to me with my PTSD and struggle with flashbacks and nightmares. I admire you and your writings about abuse and educating others.

-Woman from Canada-

My best friend recommended your book to me, and I cannot thank you enough for having the courage to go ahead and write this book about what happened to you. Thanks so much, because of you I feel like I can finally start to get my life back and move ahead.

-Woman from Long Island New York-

I was able to find your book by chance. I sat down this evening and have read the first 100 pages and
have not been able to put it down. So, I decided to do  a search and found your email and took a chance  and decided to send this message.  After reading the first 100 pages, I was drawn to email you saying that I think you are such a strong person and very admirable. Going through what you  have  gone through, and thriving to help kids is in and  above itself fascinating.

-Man from Florida-

I just finished reading your book today and I wanted to thank you for having the courage to publish your story.  You have helped me very much.  I know that there are so many people out there in the world who have survived sexual abuse, but to read your story has helped me feel like I am not so alone in the world. You are like an angel who was sent to help shed light on my otherwise dark life.

-Woman from Houston Texas-

When I read your book it inspired me so much. you are a very strong person, and an idol for many people, including me. Your a wonderful person and it’s incredible how you got on with your life. I couldn’t put down your book. I loved it! Many people hold a grudge for the rest of their lives, but you went on.

-10 year old girl from Massachusetts-

I bought your book and I would just like to say thank you for publishing it. I related to your feelings in the book. I couldn’t put it down. I related to a lot of what you wrote. I would read it in class and just start crying because I knew exactly how your were feeling. So thank you again for publishing your journey. You are a very strong person. And i wish you well in life. Thank you so much. You are an inspiration to me.

-High school senior from Wisconsin-

I write you this letter today to thank you for having the courage to share your story. I will no longer fear to let my voice be heard. I am a survivor! There is nothing I can’t do! Erin, I am truly grateful for your story. You have such an amazing heart to forgive all that has happened to you. You are such a strong person, and from reading your diary even I can get the sense there is nothing you can’t do. Thank you for giving me the courage to heal, and to let me know that I am not alone in my struggles. Reading your story has changed my outlook about myself and about the world. I now know I am a survivor, I can accomplish anything!

-Woman from unknown area-

At first I was scared about reading it, and i thought that it was just going to make my own pain worse. I was definitly wrong! The last few weeks have been the hardest for me ever, and my inncident happened almost 3 years ago, but for some reason its been unbearable lately. Reading your story really helped me out a lot. A lot of things that happened to you are very similar to what happened to me. Your book has showed me that things can get better even though 90% of the time it feels like it never will. I honestly did feel a lot better after reading it.

– High school student from Michigan-

I was actually walking through Borders Books and Music and I overheard two ladies talking about this book that they loved, which of course was yours.  So I went, found it and bought it.  And now I have everyone else reading it. So your voice is being heard all over Maine at the moment.

-Woman from Maine-

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate and thank you for having the courage and the strength to share your story. About a month ago my mom asked me to go to Boarders and buy Stolen Innocence for her, and she’s been reading it since then. Well, yesterday I picked it up for the first time since I brought it home from Boarders, and I read the entire thing in about three hours. I absolutely could NOT put it down. It seemed like your life and my life matched up so perfectly, we were the same. Reading your book, it truly felt like you were writing a book about my life.

-Woman from Washington-

I usually do not read memoirs because I think that many do more harm than good and the focus is always on the negative. Your book is different. It is real, and it is graphic at times, but it is so hopeful and focuses on healing. Don’t get me wrong. Just because I do not find the book depressing does not mean that I don’t find it heartbreaking. Empathy is one of my greatest strengths (and sometimes my greatest weakness!). Bottom line is, I can feel your pain and relate to it fully. I want to applaud you on your courage and strength. You are a true hero.

-Woman from unknown area-

Please let me first say how extremely courageous I think you are for sharing your story. You are giving such a vital and imperative voice to those who are in need of healing, people like myself. Like you, I experienced incest and molestation as a child. I was a beautiful little girl whose innocence was taken away before I reached the age of 10. I am now 17 years old. Thank you  for sharing your story with the rest of the world. It truly does mean so, so much to me. You are an absolute angel. May God bless you and shine his light upon you each and every single day.

-Teen from unknown area-