Conversations With Teddy A book about Child abuse bibliotherapy|Memoir|Autobiography

			Book News: Everyone's asking about Conversations with Teddy, my childhood memoirs! I promise it will shake you up, and make you think about some really tough issues that many people keep hidden, too painful to confront. Conversations with Teddy is a brooding, eloquent and vivid story about growing up experiencing physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual abuse. Links to Professional Bodies
Names of other people have been changed, but Conversations with Teddy is a true account of my childhood.
Throughout Conversations with Teddy the sea that laps Port Macquaire's coastline plays an important role in setting the scene for many of my memories. The continual stirring of the waters, the rising of the waves crashing on the beach aroused from with the depths of my being hidden, painful and disturbing memoirs. Sea Scenes			Tales to share: Conversations with Teddy, the three part publication tells the story of a dysfunctional and abusive childhood and the little girl who survived it, thanks, in part, to her teddy - 'the best psychologist anyone could have.' Port Macquarie News
	Left - Shirley May standing petrified in front of Mister with her older sister comforting her.	*Right* - Shirley May rejoicing as a survivor in front of Mister, the entrance to Luna Park, St Kilda, Melbourne
The story, Conversations with Teddy,* is told with remarkable wit, compassion and courage. It's a work of beauty from a beast of a childhood.* A. VanGaalen . Psychotherapist.			Want to talk about Conversations with Teddy with other readers and fans? Join the discussion Looking for writing tips? Join with others in discussion on how you can start writing your own memoirs. Join the discussion Want to receive Conversations with Teddy Newsletter? Monthly Newsletter mailing list
"This work is a credit to Shirley May's courage and determination to finally express the secrets of her childhood so long hidden. In this sharing, she both enables herself to move towards healing from the past and assists other survivors of childhood dysfunction and abuse to know that they are not alone. Maria Nolan, Psychologist.
Recreational child abuse isn't usually committed in a fit of rage, or for disciplinary purposes. I believe it's recreational abuse when parents, or other caretakers, abuse children for fun. Trena Cole, author of Charred Souls
'A heartbreaking story, just heartbreaking for an adult to read and then to imagine how a child could live through this is double the heartbreak. Coming from an animal mad family, this story is gutting for me! And I'm sure hard for you to write. Love the poem, I have a few like this that people sent me when I had to put my old dog Bob down and I still have them framed on the wall. The comfort they give still amazes me!' Carolyn Beasley, Tutor, Dept of Writing Swinburne University of Technology. Lilydale, Victoria. Australia.
Further comments from readers Interview by Amanda Erskine 2008 Interview by Elizabeth Crawford 2008 Evening interview by Elizabeth Crawford 2008 To organise an appearance or interview with Shirley May please submit your request.
We are who we are not despite adversity, but because of it. Lover of beauty, protector of innocence. Julie Gregory author of Sickened and My Fathers Keeper			We are caught between a trilogy of opposing forces; Aboriginal Australia, British colony, and Multicultural Australia. Until we find a way of disassociating ourselves from any one of these 'identities' we will remain deadlocked in a battle for the supremacy of one over the other. Bronwyne Jeanette Thomason - Writer
Links to Professional Bodies

© Shirley May, August 2008