Let me relate my personal story with regards to Bulimia and my healing from childhood sexual abuse. My heart goes out to help others with this similar history.

My addiction was Bulimia. Common addictions that occur from sexual abuse are Alcoholism, Bulimia, Eating Disorders, Gambling etc. I suffered from Bulimia for 19 years before I discovered this cause of my bulimia. I was struggling to get over my Bulimia as I realized the devastating health affects it was having on me. I was sleeping 1 or 2 and sometimes 3 days at a time. I would wake up, take a shower, and still feel exhausted. On my way to leaving the house to get a few things done, I would still feel so exhausted that I would say to myself 'I need a nap for 30 minutes', only to wake up the next day. Maybe you are at this point, or something similar.

I started attending Overeaters Anonymous meetings and found two meetings that were held at local hospitals that had eating disorder clinics. I thought about checking myself into one of these clinics as I really could not take care of myself. But insurance did not cover it, and I would have had to sell my home to pay the cost. Not only that, I talked to several women who had gone through the clinic one or two or three times and still not seeming to make progress with their eating disorder.

In talking to specialists in Bulemia I came to learn that 85% of Bulimics have had sex abuse in their past. This totally STUNNED me, and I asked "what can that possibly have to do with my bulimia?" In attending some of the Overeaters meetings I made some friends and realized that I needed to get into therapy. This was VERY scary to me as I never wanted to talk about the sex abuse, and certainly did not want to relive the memories of it. Although the memories had always been there, I tried to pretend that they had happened to a child and I was no longer that child and my life was separate. But I couldn't make it go away and the thought of talking about it in therapy made me think that I would literally die in having to face the memories and work through them.

I'm telling you this ONLY because I hope that my story might be of help and inspiration to you so that you will do whatever it takes to get well.

I chose the route of working with an highly qualified individual therapist in eating disorders and sexual abuse. This way I could control the costs of around $85 per visit twice a week. And just kind of put my 'toe in the water' of therapy and take it a tiny step at a time. While I was going through the process of finding and 'selecting' a therapist I wanted to work with, the books that helped me the most were "Courage to Heal", and "Courage to Heal - Workbook". These have chapters and worksheets on interviewing and evaluating a therapist that is right for you. I also contacted an eating disorder national association for a list of therapists that they would recommend in my city.

At the same time I read every book on the list of books that we have on our home page and on the Lending Library page. These books were a TREMENDOUS help to me in handling and going through therapy and in understanding the connection and the journey to getting well. The books that helped me the most on this list are: Courage to Heal, Courage to Heal WorkBook, The Wounded Heart, and Helping Victims of Sexual Abuse.

Also of inspiration to me was Marilyn Van Derbur Atler, who is a former Miss America. I attended one of her speaking engagements and she has a lot of 'dignity' and is beautiful on the outside. I felt no dignity whatsover - I felt ugly and overweight. It is hard to feel any dignity when you have been molested once or hundreds of times. I just felt dirty and used and worthless, even though I tried to put on a "cheery" personality when I was around other people.

This website is for the purpose of helping others through this journey of healing. You are not alone. You can reach out and find support in several places. And our Lending Library is so that you can have these same books that helped me in your hands.

One of the books in this library is "Shifting the Burden of Truth". At the time I needed to get into therapy, I had only been able to work only part time (sleeping so many hours) in my business, so was earning only a small income. I did not qualify for Social Security disability. A few people recommended that I sue my father and make him pay for my therapy. My father had plenty of money. I also wanted to make him 'own up to and take responsibility for his actions'. I placed a lawsuit against my father after testifying before the Oregon State Senate and House of Representatives to get a law change in Oregon. Several states now have laws under which you can recover damages as an adult for sex abuse done to you as a child. You can read the book "Shifting the Burden of Truth" (now out of print), which is in our lending library. We settled out of court and by that time I had my own income established as I was getting well. I really did not want my dad's money - so that money along with a lot of my own has established this foundation to help others. My hope is that the foundation can help YOU!

Suing your abuser is NOT for everyone, and I would urge you to weigh this option CAREFULLY before you would decide to take legal action. First of all your abuser would have to have money. Also in many of these cases where legal action is taken against a family member, the family will split and take sides. My brother started out on my side and understanding why I placed the suit against my dad. But my brother switched sides, and didn't speak to me for 10 1/2 years - mainly because of the money issues and my brother's last words to me before his 10 1/2 years of silence was "you're suing against my inheritance". I had talked to a few others who had sued their abuser, and they had warned me that many families split and don't talk to you if you take a stand and sue your abuser if your abuser is a family member. So I was not shocked at my brothers actions. I just want you to know this happens, and it is an issue to think through carefully.

Take advantage of thelending library for the books that helped me through this, search through the websites to which we have links, and feel free to email me at: nancy@joshuachildrensfoundation.org

Today I have mostly renewed health with still some health challenges to overcome from the years of bulimia. Even though I still have health challenges, I'm ALIVE (I almost died from the bulimia). I'm very thankful to be alive, and thankful for the counseling I had in recovery. Joshua Childrens Foundation is here to help you or your child in recovery process from childhood sexual abuse.

Today I enjoy a fruitful life and have been blessed in my business, and in new and renewed friendships and activities. I wish the same for all recovering victims.

The reason for existance of Joshua Children's Foundation is:
      (1) To assist recovering victims of childhood sexual abuse.
      (2) To educate parents, teachers, and other adults who work
              with children in the prevention of child sexual abuse.

As you view this website, we would appreciate your suggestions and thoughts by your filling out our Survey/Feedback page

In Love and Best Wishes to you in your healing journey,

Nancy Williams
Founder of
Joshua Childrens Foundation