Publisher's Synopsis
The inspiring survival story of a boy who experienced decades of abuse and torture at the hands of a creepy, maniacal abuser with a poisoned evil!
Little Boy Black & Blue, chronicles the life and the experiences of an LGBTQ youth who endured unimaginable mental and physical abuse and violence starting at the age of five, in the early 1960s, continuing through the gay movement of the 1970s, the AIDS epidemic and its backlash of the 1980s and beyond, which resulted in his development of severe complex PTSD and other health conditions.
Michael refused to be bound by his past, but he found that it has a way of catching up when least expected. His, is a story of pain, loss and torment, but it also serves as an example of hope, perseverance and resilience. Through his journey, he was able to overcome the temptations of suicide, drugs, and a life of crime. He survived the horrors of sexual abuse and torture to become a successful artist, a teacher and a miniaturist, all while searching for someone that he never knew he had lost. Then, we get close up glimpses into Michael's bizarre life, and his life passions. There are many images of his doll and miniature collections. Amazing gothic mansions fit for a Victorian with strikingly realistic details. Things he built in between the days of waste and ruin. Something positive from something terrible.
We will also learn about his coping mechanisms, how he survived by stealing food and sleeping in graveyards. Whatever became of the cloth dolls he hand-painted, sewed and made from scratch when he was nine years old? What were these dolls, and why did he make them? Delve into a mind that developed and adapted very differently from early childhood. See the world through the eyes and dreams of someone who struggles with severe complex post-traumatic stress disorder after decades of torture and abuse at the hands of a brutal, psychotic maniac who left him near death time and time again. Still, Michael uses a hint humor and a tinge of sarcasm to discuss severe c-PTSD in a way that is easily understandable and relatable. He includes all the technical jargon needed to understand the clinical background of the illness, but he describes the effects in a concise and personal way in his own words. Through it all, he was able to thrive and lead a fulfilling life and you can do the same. Whether you have experienced such hardships or not, if is most definitely a fascinating read and an incredibly shocking life! This book is filled with tragedy and triumph, nightmares and wonder. Michael writes with passion and inspiration from the heart. An honest exploration into a world unseen by most. Whether or not you have personally experienced abuse, or c-PTSD, this book is for anyone who appreciates the struggles of our human existence. Get in-depth looks at the abuser, the abused, and the circle of life surrounding them all. Disorders associated with PTSD are included and discussed. This book may be challenging at the darkest times, cringe-worthy at the deepest times, and downright funny some of the time, but it is not an easy one to put down once you've started. This wild ride is a true Hell and back adventure! Buckle up! 18+
