Holding My Hand Through Hell

When I first encountered Susan Murphy Milano, I was struck by the intensity of her passion—her commitment to victims of domestic violence, her empathy for victims of every injustice.  I sensed that beneath that devotion to these causes, there had to be a motivation in her past.

Over the years, I learned bits and pieces about her life before I knew her.  I never, though, had the complete story until I read her new book, Holding My Hand Through Hell.  Just released this week, it is a soul-wrenching, heartwarming story of the life of a woman who rose beyond her victimization to be a powerful advocate and a daring pioneer on issues of monumental importance to women.

Out of her work on the issue of domestic violence, she wrote Time’s Up!, the ultimate handbook to guide any woman seeking to escape successfully from an abusive relationship.  She developed the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit to offer more protection for these women and a greater insurance of justice in the worst cases.  Now, she has written a book that exposes the rugged path she experienced to reach the point where she could help other women help themselves.

photo by Monica Caison

I wrote the foreword to Holding My Hand Through Hell and, in doing so, came to grips with my own past.  I acknowledged my past experience with an emotionally abusive spouse in my first marriage, forgave myself for my perceived weakness and embraced my inner strength for the first time. 

Reading Susan’s memoir was a transformative and inspirational experience for me.  I expect that it will be for you, too.

Holding My Hand Through Hell by Susan Murphy Milano is available from Ice Cube Press, who will donate 10% of all proceeds toward Susan’s medical fund as she battles her current challenge with cancer.  Get your copy today.