Every year 3.5 percent of adults in the U.S. are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and one in eleven people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with the condition. PTSD is a mental health issue often triggered by a tragic, terrifying, or life-threatening event, such as a car crash, that a victim experiences or witnesses. Symptoms include nightmares, severe anxiety, flashbacks, panic attacks, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. These after-effects can also affect the friends and family who are often “collateral damage.”
In a candid new memoir, author Karen Ander Francis shares her deeply personal experience with PTSD in “On the Edge of the Known World.” Ms.Francis shows how wisdom can be gained from tragedy. More than the story of one person's trauma, her memoir describes what it means to stay “awake,” encouraging readers to engage the both physical and emotional pain in order to gain insights—and to integrate these into an authentic way of being in the world. It is a spiritual journey from near-death to rebirth.
As she works to regain full use of her body and wrestles with PTSD, the life Ms. Francis had strived so hard to create begins to unravel. “On the Edge of the Known World” depicts the inner journey to rebuild the author's life that accompanies her physical rehabilitation. While she tries to make sense of the tragedy and regain a semblance of normalcy, bothersome questions arise: Who am I now? What am I going to do? And why am I afraid to pray?
Ms. Francis inspires as she recounts the spiritual journey toward reclaiming herself and re-membering her soul. “On the Edge of the Known World” is written in a nurturing tone that encourages and inspires. “I hope that my story will help other trauma survivors to find peace and comfort,” she says.
“On the Edge of the Known World” is available online at Your Online Publicist.
“On the Edge of the Known World: Prayer and PTSD”
Author: Karen Ander Francis
Publisher: Your Online Publicist
Published Date: June 2022
Book Genre: Memoir
About the Author:
Karen Ander Francis is retired from non-profit leadership. In that role she designed and led both religious-themed and corporate development workshops and retreats for over 30 years. During that time Karen continued to write and publish in the fields of spirituality and cultural arts. She holds a master's degree in in transpersonal psychology and post-graduate certification in spiritual development. Her original research, published in book form as “The Soul Friend,” maps a spiritual path through childhood sexual abuse. Karen has trained therapists and spiritual directors in the U.S. and Canada and continues to provide spiritual companionship in-person and on-line.
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