Thank you for visiting my site, and for your interest in my memoir, THE INVISIBLE STORM.
For more information about the book, visit the About or Buy the Book page.
I share my story in THE INVISIBLE STORM in hopes that others will be inspired to break their silence, fight against their fears, and discover the freedom beyond their pain.
I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me, or visit my Facebook page.
You can also subscribe to my Blog to receive updates.
Thank you!
Juanima Hiatt
Reviews of The Invisible Storm:
“The Invisible Storm should be mandatory reading for all doctors, therapists, police officers, child welfare, sex abuse victims, veterans, and family members of someone experiencing PTSD. Juanima shatters the belief that one never recovers from PTSD, and intrinsically portrays how it’s done. It’s a must-read.” ~ Sandy Neale, LCSW
“Juanima’s journey evokes so many emotions in the reader that it is a draw whether to put the book down and digest it bit by bit, or read it from cover to cover. It is eye-opening and inspiring.” ~ Kali Miller, PhD
For more reviews please visit the Testimonials page!
I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and add your thoughts!
12 comments
sharon merrion
June 27, 2012 at 6:03 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I am so proud of you lil Jo I will read the book and know what I have always known – that you are wonderful, strong and brave!!
admin
June 27, 2012 at 3:51 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you so much, Aunt Sharon! I also want you to remember that I’m wearing a smile on my face today. God has done an amazing work by healing the pain of my past; and hopefully, sharing my story will give hope to others. Everything is okay now, and I’m grateful for SO much. I love you!
Ditha
August 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you for speaking up and wriitng your story. I am currently looking to start or to join a support group for spouses living with a spouse with PTSD. Thank you for mentioning the secondary PTSD. You dont know these things unless others speak out and there is such a huge need for help for all of us spouses dealing with our own form of WAR.
Nima
September 14, 2012 at 10:53 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you for your kind words, Ditha. I completely agree with what you said, and there SHOULD be more support groups for spouses who have a spouse with PTSD. You do live your own kind of war. My husband suffered in many ways, but there were no groups at the time for him to get his own support. As a matter of fact, there weren’t any groups for ME for people with PTSD. There are plenty for vets, but not for civilians whose trauma stems from something other than combat. That’s why I’m starting one in my town in the next few months. It’s needed. You’re right – we need to speak out. Only then will the stigma dissipate. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep me posted on your group!
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living
July 2, 2012 at 8:07 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Congratulations Juanima, and I cannot wait to read your “My Gutsy Story.” Good luck to you with your memoir, and come over when you’re ready.
admin
July 2, 2012 at 10:11 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you so much, Sonia! I’ll be over soon!
Kimberly McPherson
July 7, 2012 at 11:52 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
You go girl! It’s like I have a sister that I have never met. I am so proud of you and cannot wait to have the time to read your book. It looks so interesting and hits home in more ways than one. If you ever wish to exchange posts you know where to find me. I love you my sister in Christ. Never Ever give up for you are worth it my dear.
Much love, God bless, and big hugs,
Kimmy
Nima
July 8, 2012 at 8:22 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thank you, Kimmy! I have a feeling we’ll be keeping in touch. I’m so glad I “met you” through the group! Big hugs to you, too.
Nima
Sarah Taylor
July 9, 2012 at 5:19 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Juanima is a good friend of mine. I support her fully for the book she wrote. She is an amazing lady who has come a long way. I am proud of her. May God make her life more easier that it has been in the past. Love you Nima!
Nima
July 9, 2012 at 6:21 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Sarah, you are so sweet. Thank you for your kind words. I love you, too! You’ve come a long way yourself. Hang in there and keep fighting! I know things will get better for you. xoxo
Vincent
August 31, 2012 at 4:23 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I am the daughter of a Vietnam drftaee and I concider myself a survivor of PTSD. I will never forget the day my father threatened to shoot me with a sawed-off shot gun just because I tried to voice my opinion against his verbal assaults. My father reminded me so many times that if I’d been born a boy he would have most likely killed me early on. The most difficult part of my childhood was being bullied by both the children at school and my own father as well. I imagined later in life that while most little girls were protected, loved, and adored by there father’s I on the otherhand was treated like a disease by my father, and invisable to the rest of the World. I never did anything harmful to anyone, and I was not a disruptive spoiled child either. I was not allowed to touch anything in my parents house outside of my own room, and most of my early childhood was spent in isolation in my bedroom. My mother never divorced my father, knowing how abusive he was to me and my younger sister. I am bitter because my mother didn’t protect me against my father but has the nerve to remind me that I should forget the past and learn to trust in God for Guidance. As an adult my father now claimes he called me names and beat me because he didn’t want me to grow up weak. His taunts and name calling were daily and repetative. The only time the name calling would stop was when I raised my voice to him, which always ended with a beating to my head. As a result of my childhood I have bouts of anxiety where I am terrified of people and social situations. I don’t trust anyone, and I feel like my father won, and I have become a complete failure in everything I dreamt to be in my life. I feel the Government owes me the same rights as what my father is given, as well as disability support!! Where do people like me go when we need Group Therapy, and not just drug handouts from pompous shrinks, but a geniune retreat where cries can be not just heart but felt. I am angry even as I type this because it is sad that this is the only website I can share my story with, my own monitor screen and a tone of rambling keystrokes for a random stranger to hear. I am enraged that the shrink I went to a year ago told me he didn’t know of any Group Therapy for the kind of therapy I was searching for and looked at me with narrow eyes as if I was making up all accounts of the abuse I survived. I am exhausted because roughly a week out of every month I become suicidal. I have been diagnosed bipolar, but I think it’s a mis diognosis because I feel I have all the symptoms of PTSD. I cannot find any information local in my area or service provided for Children of Vets. Can someone please send me a link so that I can gain the courage to share my story with others like myself.
Nima
September 15, 2012 at 12:08 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hello…Vincent? I’m a little confused because the linked Facebook profile (Vincent) is definitely a guy, but you say in your post that you’re the daughter of a Vietnamese draftee. I’d really like to contact you, but I’m not sure this reply will reach you.
I admire you and thank you for telling your story here. Can you please send me an email at juanimahiatt@gmail.com? I’d really like to help you find the support you need.
By the way… Your father did NOT win, and you are not a failure, nor is your life over. There is help for you, and I want to help you find it. You CAN have a good future! Don’t give up!