The Sum of My Parts: A Survivor's Story of Dissociative Identity Disorder

by Olga Trujillo JD

Overview

By the first day of kindergarten, Olga Trujillo had already survived years of abuse and violent rape at the hands of her tyrannical father. Over the next ten years, she would develop the ability to numb herself to the constant abuse by splitting into distinct mental “parts.” Dissociative identity disorder (DID) had begun to take hold, protecting Olga’s mind from the tragic realities of her childhood.

In The Sum of My Parts, Olga reveals her life story for the first time, chronicling her heroic journey from survivor to advocate and her remarkable recovery from DID. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, DID is defined by the presence of two or more identities. In this riveting story, Olga struggles to unearth memories from her childhood, and parallel identities—Olga at five years old, Olga at thirteen—come forth and demand to be healed. This brave, unforgettable memoir charts the author’s triumph over the most devastating conditions and will inspire anyone whose life has been affected by trauma.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781572249912
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	10/01/2011
Series:	Unassigned Series
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Olga Trujillo is an attorney who works with communities on issues involving domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, and the impact of trauma. A nationally renowned speaker, she has appeared in several training videos on domestic violence, including Cut it Out and A Survivor’s Story. She has received the Bud Cramer Leadership Award from the National Children’s Alliance and the Sunshine Lady Foundation Peace Award. Olga lives with her partner Casey, dogs, and cats on a small farm in Wisconsin.

Editorial Reviews

“In The Sum of My Parts, Olga Trujillo reminds us what living with integrity and courage really means. In spite of brutal abuse she experienced by her family, the story of her survival is truly extraordinary and an inspiration to all of us.”
—Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabes and other books and internationally recognized expert on youth, social justice, and ethical leadership

“In The Sum of My Parts, Olga Trujillo generously gives us a rare look into the power of community. Olga shows us how one person can make a difference. In her compelling account of her survival she illustrates the true meaning of resilience and healing. A must-read for all.”
—Shelia Hankins, associate director of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community

From the Publisher