All posts in Abuse

Marilyn Van Derbur

By admin | 04/2011 | Abuse, Authors, BUSINESS, CELEBRITIES, Courage, Family Relationships, Inspiration, Juvenile Issues, Motivation - Non Sports, MOTIVATION / INSPIRATION, Overcomers / Adversity, Personal Development, Women's Issues | Comments Off

Marilyn Van Derbur, crowned Miss America 1958, stood tall and beautiful as she possessed looks, wit, and intelligence. She also had deep down within her, a devastating secret – one secret that even she did not speak or admit. From the age of 5 until she was 18, Marilyn’s wealthy and prominent father, sexually molested her. As a coping mechanism, Van Derbur processed the tragic nightlife by dissociating herself from the abuse. She did this by creating two people or personalities within her – a daytime child and a nighttime child. Read more…

Kathy Buckley

By admin | 04/2011 | Abuse, BUSINESS, CELEBRITIES, Comedy, Communication Skills - personal, Disability Issues, Emcees / Hosts, Inspiration, Motivation - Non Sports, Music/Radio/TV/Movies, Overcomers / Adversity, Personal Development, Women's Issues | Comments Off

Kathy Buckley was born with a hearing loss that went undetected until she was eight and led to believe she was mentally retarded. She was sexually abused, run over by a car, and stricken with cancer all before the age of thirty. Rather than being consumed by grief, Kathy sought out laughter. She not only survived, she has gone on to become a successful comedienne and an award winning author. She is also a world-renowned motivational speaker. Kathy inspires hundreds of thousands of people around the country, sharing her story of overcoming some of the most difficult obstacles one can imagine in life, and how she met those challenges with dignity, courage, and laughter. Read more…

Antwone Fisher

By admin | 01/2011 | Abuse, Authors, Black History, BUSINESS, CELEBRITIES, Family Relationships, Filmmakers, HEALTH / WELLNESS, Inspiration, Juvenile Issues, Leadership, Motivation, Motivation - Non Sports, MOTIVATION / INSPIRATION, Music/Radio/TV/Movies, Overcomers / Adversity, Overcoming Obstacles, Personal Development, Success, Teamwork | Comments Off

Antwone Quenton Fisher was born in prison to his teenage mother. He became a ward of the state of Ohio and was placed in a loving home, but it was apparent that the foster mother had become too attached to Antwone, deeming a reunion with his birth mother too difficult for the child. He was then placed in another foster home where he would suffer twelve years of abuse. Fisher survived the cruelties of foster care and the brutalities of homelessness and set on a course of healing after joining the United State Navy where he served his country for eleven years. Read more…

Juan Ortiz

By admin | 01/2011 | Abuse, Courage, Diversity, HUMAN RESOURCES, Inspiring Lives, Juvenile Issues, MOTIVATION / INSPIRATION, Overcoming Obstacles, Religion, Society & Culture | Comments Off

Juan Ortiz is a man who has discovered the blessings in adversity. As a child, each day he would face the challenges of his father’s verbal and physical abuse, fueled by the use of drugs and alcohol. As the eldest of six children, Juan became a support for his mother and a father figure to his siblings. Desperate and filled with despair, Juan looked at life as a teenager with no hope for the future. He decided it was not worth going on with life. If it were not for the example of courage and strength of his mother, and the leadership of a few good friends, Juan would not be alive today. Read more…

All posts in Abuse

Marilyn Van Derbur

Kathy Buckley

Antwone Fisher

Juan Ortiz

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