Virginia Pillars - Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Childs Mental Illness

Endorsements

There are many words that came to mind as I began to write an endorsement for this book (and its author!): remarkable, courageous, and honest are but a few! If you have ever found yourself in the middle of something that is life changing and mind blowing and didnt have a clue HOW to take the next step forward read this book . Virginia Pillars beautifully conveys the grace-filled love of a mother for her mentally ill child as she lays it all on the line in pursuit of help for her daughters increasing symptoms.

You will be inspired and encouraged to read Broken Brain, Fortified Faith a powerfully honest account of hope and trust in the midst of the despair of mental illness. I am grateful to the author for sharing this beautiful and hope-filled story with the world.

Wanda L. Sanchez, Executive Producer, Lifeline with Craig Roberts, KFAX-AM1100, San Francisco Bay Area

Virginia Pillars tells the story of her adult daughters descent into schizophrenia with unflinching honesty in Broken Brain, Fortified Faith . But Pillars does more than tell how family, friends, and mental health professionals rallied around one young woman, providing the treatment and support her daughter, Amber, needed to regain her mental health and learn to manage her condition; the author also educates readers about how the disease affects the brain, how it is treated, and what people must do financially and legally to protect loved ones until they recover from the disease. Best of all, Pillars shares her thoughts, doubts, and faith struggles, as well as the comfort and strength she found as she prayed for her daughter and saw those prayers answered in unexpected ways. Broken Brain, Fortified Faith is an approachable and highly readable book for anyone who wants to learn more about schizophrenia and how to support those dealing with it. I highly recommend it.

Jolene Philo, author of Does My Child Have PTSD? What to Do When Your Child Is Hurting from the Inside Out

A story of hope in a family that dealt with mental illness, infertility, and loss. Pillars has the ability to inject hope and light into what could otherwise have been a depressing and, for some, a devastating situation. Highly recommended for any family who is struggling with a diagnosis of mental illness or for readers who love a good memoir.

Mary Potter Kenyon, newspaper reporter, workshop presenter, and author of the award-winning Refined By Fire

From the first lines of Broken Brain, Fortified Faith ... the reader is immediately pulled into the day-to-day life of a family discovering and then dealing with the nitty-gritty, raw emotions of mental illness. Pillars holds nothing back when she shares the reality of her daughter Ambers diagnosis of schizophrenia and its effect on her entire family and their friends. Her deep faith and sometimes brutal honesty will touch readers long after theyve turned the last page.

Mary Jedlicka Humston, coauthor of Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink

Virginia Pillars has written an honest, no-holds-barred tale of her daughtersand their familysagonizing battle with schizophrenia. Yet along with the heartache, Virginias story is one of hope and, ultimately, victory, achieved through earnest spiritual searching and openness to personal growth. If you are on a similar journey through the depths of mental illness with a loved one, you could have no better guide.

Nancy B. Kennedy, author of Miracles & Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories of Survival

In Broken Brain, Fortified Faith , Virginia writes of an agony-filled journey complete with unpredictability, heartache, turmoil, and relentless grief. I know that journey well. Its called life with a mentally ill loved one. I appreciate her honesty as she invites readers into her world, and Im grateful that she hasnt let what shes learned go to waste. Now, in her role as advocate and friend for others walking a similar path, she offers a gift of hope and help in this important book.

Twila Belk, speaker and author of Raindrops from Heaven: Gentle Reminders of Gods Power, Presence, and Purpose

If schizophrenia has ever plagued the life of a loved one, then you will greatly appreciate this book by Virginia Pillars. She demonstrates how prayer, hope, encouragement, and endurance lead to fortified faith. Pillars is not a trained professional; however, her personal life journey taught her how to navigate through the mental health system in order to advocate for her daughter. A true story of love, hope, healing, and faith!

Hope Huff, MA, LMHC, BCPC

Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope through a Childs Mental Illness is a must-read for those seeking insight into the struggles of families walking beside loved ones battling schizophrenia. Virginia Pillars writes with insight, transparency, and compassion about the realities of mental illness that forever changed the life of her twenty-four-year-old daughter Amber and the people who love her. The book honestly portrays the realities of the mental health system and its effects upon families. Broken Brain, Fortified Faith offers fresh hope both to those struggling with mental illness as well as to those who love and support them. Highly recommended.

Shelly Beach, Author, Speaker, Consultant Christy, Selah, Readers Favorite, and Golden Scroll Award Winner Author of Love Letters from the Edge , The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk , Hallies Heart , Ambushed by Grace , and other titles

Broken Brain, Fortified Faith is an inspiring story of one familys journey through the fear and isolation of mental illness. This courageous memoir sends a powerful message: there is always hope.

Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son

Copyright 2016 by Virginia Pillars

All rights reserved.

Published by Familius LLC, www.familius.com

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Reproduction of this book in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publisher is prohibited.

All names, places, and identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the privacy of the people mentioned in this book.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

2016937548

Print ISBN 9781942934745 Ebook ISBN 9781944822170

Printed in the United States of America

Edited by Lindsay Sandberg Cover design by David Miles Book design by Maggie Wickes

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Edition

To my daughter, who taught me the true meaning of courage in the face of adversity, and whose faith and determination continues to inspires me. To my family, who stood together as we searched for answers. To our extended families and friends, whose loving and prayerful support upheld us during the hard years.

Introduction

I cant change the past, nor can I predict the future. I can only promise to be here when life knocks you down. I may be scared, too, but Ill never leave your side.

This mirrors my mindset after I heard the devastating news: Your daughter has schizophrenia. The next two years will be very hard, spoken to us by her psychiatrist. In Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Childs Mental Illness , I share my fears, thoughts, insecurities, and anger as I learned to cope with her diagnosis. I felt frightened, confused, and hurt, but our family clung to each other while we searched for help and answers as the brain disorder schizophrenia grabbed our daughter, Amber. Over the course of a few months, it unleashed all its nasty symptoms on her.