My name is Pamela Bettencourt, I am a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, author and a survivor of many years of child sexual abuse. Trust and respect of elders were embedded into my upbringing. My busy, hardworking, and trusting parents were uneducated, as was society in general about the signs of child sexual abuse. This ignorance proved tragic for me when I fell prey to a child molester. I was however, blessed with a determined spirit and strong sense of faith and hope.
My own history gave me tremendous insight into the convoluted world of child sexual abuse. I once felt cursed by my detailed memory of the years of abuse, but today I see it as a blessing. My story is unique but my experiences are not. I use writing as therapy for myself, but also use this powerful tool to educate the public and inspire other victims of abuse to be able to heal, by helping them feel less stigmatized.
At twenty-one years old I left the manufacturing world to become an entrepreneur. I co-founded a limousine service with my twin sister, which I successfully managed for twenty-five years. I enrolled in college twenty years after graduating high school to fulfill the dream of becoming a registered nurse. I see family as her top priority. Me and my husband have three grown children. My writings also appear in the anthology, The Anatomy of Silence 2019 and the September 2019 issue of The Scribe magazine.
My own history gave me tremendous insight into the convoluted world of child sexual abuse. I once felt cursed by my detailed memory of the years of abuse, but today I see it as a blessing. My story is unique but my experiences are not. I use writing as therapy for myself, but also use this powerful tool to educate the public and inspire other victims of abuse to be able to heal, by helping them feel less stigmatized.
At twenty-one years old I left the manufacturing world to become an entrepreneur. I co-founded a limousine service with my twin sister, which I successfully managed for twenty-five years. I enrolled in college twenty years after graduating high school to fulfill the dream of becoming a registered nurse. I see family as her top priority. Me and my husband have three grown children. My writings also appear in the anthology, The Anatomy of Silence 2019 and the September 2019 issue of The Scribe magazine.
Daniel Beluk, my friend, doctor and co-worker who
got my journey of healing started. Dan is a good man. He is
kind-hearted, honest, humble, and thoughtful. He told me
that being a gastroenterologist gave him only a basic
understanding of psychology. He said, “You are above my pay grade.” He offered me his shoulder to cry on, but he didn’t let it end there. For this I am forever grateful and thankful.
Nancy-Jean Eagan LMHC, my therapist. She is
everything I never imagined I would ever find in one person. She is professional, compassionate, caring, and empathetic. She taught me how to take my life back. I told Nancy-Jean early on I was going to be her most
challenging client and I think I have fulfilled that. But, I
also told her I would be her most successful client. I am
still working on that. Nancy-Jean keeps me working,
focused, and holds me accountable when necessary. She
has an arsenal of colleagues and resources and she isn’t
afraid to use them. She is doing God’s work.
got my journey of healing started. Dan is a good man. He is
kind-hearted, honest, humble, and thoughtful. He told me
that being a gastroenterologist gave him only a basic
understanding of psychology. He said, “You are above my pay grade.” He offered me his shoulder to cry on, but he didn’t let it end there. For this I am forever grateful and thankful.
Nancy-Jean Eagan LMHC, my therapist. She is
everything I never imagined I would ever find in one person. She is professional, compassionate, caring, and empathetic. She taught me how to take my life back. I told Nancy-Jean early on I was going to be her most
challenging client and I think I have fulfilled that. But, I
also told her I would be her most successful client. I am
still working on that. Nancy-Jean keeps me working,
focused, and holds me accountable when necessary. She
has an arsenal of colleagues and resources and she isn’t
afraid to use them. She is doing God’s work.
Father Timothy Harrison is one of those colleagues.
Father Tim is the most gentle, sincere man that just radiates
peace all the time. He keeps me grounded in my faith and
helps me to recognize my blessings. He is approachable and
caring. The first time I met Father Tim I promised myself I
wasn’t going to cry or swear. I did both within the first few
minutes yet he still continues to give me the gift of his time.
Father Tim is the most gentle, sincere man that just radiates
peace all the time. He keeps me grounded in my faith and
helps me to recognize my blessings. He is approachable and
caring. The first time I met Father Tim I promised myself I
wasn’t going to cry or swear. I did both within the first few
minutes yet he still continues to give me the gift of his time.