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The Step Child: A True Story of a Broken Childhood
Abused by her stepmother between the ages of five and eleven, Donna Ford was labeled 'the bastard', the 'little witch,' and 'the evil one.' She was beaten, isolated, and afraid to even look at her own reflection by physical and mental abuse that eventually progressed to the most appalling sexual attacks. Despite an horrendous early life, Donna is now a successful artist and mother of three with an enormous enthusiasm and an optimism which completely belies her experiences. In 2003, Donna watched as her stepmother was found guilty of 'procuring a minor' for sexual abuse and sentenced to two years in prison.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 22, 2011
I wanted to tear my hair out while reading this. I don't know how Ford can be so forgiving toward her father. He shouldn't even be called that IMO. To be clear though she does put some of the blame on him and she does delve into this in her story. But she doesn't give him nearly as much blame as he should have shouldered.
If one parent, especially the bio-parent, doesn't protect their child who will? No one has ever harmed my daughter and no one, if it's up to me, ever will. If I married tomorrow the man I married would never - ever - ever - EVER have the opportunity to hurt my daughter. How can anyone give their child to someone else and look away while she's hurt and abused and molested and raped and tortured over and over relentlessly? How can anyone sleep at night?
I usually don't have much pity for people who do this sort of thing to strangers and let me be clear, I have none whatsoever for this Helen either. But I found myself wondering, I think because of her young age when this started, why she was like she was. What happened to her as a child to make her able to do these things? No matter what happened it's not excused and Ford is a perfect example of this. If she was able to emerge from this and not harm a child anyone can. So Helen is responsible for Helen.
When Helen finally did leave and walk out for good the way Ford's father acted, he knew. He knew. He knew the entire time. How could he know and let it happen? Why take her out of the orphanage in the first place?
This is a tear-jerker, be prepared. And I have to also admit that it's written well. A lot of mis-let stories come from people who aren't authors and with no help a lot tend to be written poorly. This isn't that way at all. This is more reminiscent of Cathy Glass's writing, just a different p.o.v. of course.
It's a hard one but it's worth reading, if for no other reason than to know what's out there for some kids. I know my eyes are wide open because of the books I read and as hard as it is I wouldn't have it any other way. If these children have to live this than I want to be able to see it, identify it and do any and everything I can to help stop it.
If one parent, especially the bio-parent, doesn't protect their child who will? No one has ever harmed my daughter and no one, if it's up to me, ever will. If I married tomorrow the man I married would never - ever - ever - EVER have the opportunity to hurt my daughter. How can anyone give their child to someone else and look away while she's hurt and abused and molested and raped and tortured over and over relentlessly? How can anyone sleep at night?
I usually don't have much pity for people who do this sort of thing to strangers and let me be clear, I have none whatsoever for this Helen either. But I found myself wondering, I think because of her young age when this started, why she was like she was. What happened to her as a child to make her able to do these things? No matter what happened it's not excused and Ford is a perfect example of this. If she was able to emerge from this and not harm a child anyone can. So Helen is responsible for Helen.
When Helen finally did leave and walk out for good the way Ford's father acted, he knew. He knew. He knew the entire time. How could he know and let it happen? Why take her out of the orphanage in the first place?
This is a tear-jerker, be prepared. And I have to also admit that it's written well. A lot of mis-let stories come from people who aren't authors and with no help a lot tend to be written poorly. This isn't that way at all. This is more reminiscent of Cathy Glass's writing, just a different p.o.v. of course.
It's a hard one but it's worth reading, if for no other reason than to know what's out there for some kids. I know my eyes are wide open because of the books I read and as hard as it is I wouldn't have it any other way. If these children have to live this than I want to be able to see it, identify it and do any and everything I can to help stop it.
January 11, 2020
A harrowing account of one girl's experience of child sexual abuse and neglect. However at times there was considerable repitition which became quite tedious. While reluctant to undermine this woman's horrendous experiences, the book would have benefited significantly from tight editing.
December 10, 2013
The Step Child by Donna Ford
The Step Child is about a girl name doon ford life story about her step child hood. Doona was abandoned by her birth mother as a baby. Doona was five when she first met her stepmother. Doona tells her story about her living in her step mothers house and the bad things that her step mother use to do with her. One example of this is when her step mother use to lock her in the bathroom without food with colthes for many days and use to get everything done form her and she alwys gived her a very hard life each day and with rats company only the cute little girl. Helen was her step mother who became her tormentor and abuser.
The step child is donna's story. Beautifully written with full of fallings and deeply moving, it is an inspiring tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. I really like the style of the book because it is told by each step of the her life the pain that she experience living with a step mother.
when donna is 40 living with her little family with her two little cute kids. she don't want to talk about her pass at all with anyone and don't want to tell her story to anyone the one and only thing that she wants her step mother to come to court, only want to hire one thing form her nothing else and that one thing is to say sorry to donna about what she did with her when she was a child.
I am a person who don't read a lot and not a book person, but I really sometimes like to read biography when I start to read this book I never wanted to put it down. It is a great book to read about a step child hood and everyone should read it.
The Step Child is about a girl name doon ford life story about her step child hood. Doona was abandoned by her birth mother as a baby. Doona was five when she first met her stepmother. Doona tells her story about her living in her step mothers house and the bad things that her step mother use to do with her. One example of this is when her step mother use to lock her in the bathroom without food with colthes for many days and use to get everything done form her and she alwys gived her a very hard life each day and with rats company only the cute little girl. Helen was her step mother who became her tormentor and abuser.
The step child is donna's story. Beautifully written with full of fallings and deeply moving, it is an inspiring tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. I really like the style of the book because it is told by each step of the her life the pain that she experience living with a step mother.
when donna is 40 living with her little family with her two little cute kids. she don't want to talk about her pass at all with anyone and don't want to tell her story to anyone the one and only thing that she wants her step mother to come to court, only want to hire one thing form her nothing else and that one thing is to say sorry to donna about what she did with her when she was a child.
I am a person who don't read a lot and not a book person, but I really sometimes like to read biography when I start to read this book I never wanted to put it down. It is a great book to read about a step child hood and everyone should read it.
September 21, 2009
This book is absolutely heartbreaking. All of these types of books make my heart ache but this one actually had me in tears.
When Donna lost her Auntie Nellie I actually had to set the book aside and have a good cry.
I can't begine to imagine how anyone could or would even want to treat a child with such cruelty. It's a miracle Donna even survived the tortures that her stepmother put her through.
When Donna lost her Auntie Nellie I actually had to set the book aside and have a good cry.
I can't begine to imagine how anyone could or would even want to treat a child with such cruelty. It's a miracle Donna even survived the tortures that her stepmother put her through.
August 21, 2016
It was a difficult story to read but only because I cannot imagine living a life lived by the author. No child should live a life of neglect and abuse for any reason. The sad truth is, it is still happening somewhere, even right now.
August 16, 2020
Otroligt mörk berättelse som sätter igång ens kugghjul i huvudet. Hur kan en människa vara så grym? Helt klart är det att styvmamma Helen, aldrig ska ha barn och är den äckligaste människan som finns. Hade varit intressant och se in i den sjuka kvinnans huvud. Att även hennes son tyckte hon var vidrig, han som ändå inte fick lika mycket skit och uppleva lika hårda slag som Donna fick...
Otroligt beskrivande och det är verkligen betungande att höra om dessa händelser på ett sådant beskrivande och rikt sätt. Donna är inte heller blyg när det kommer till våldtäkterna eller de sexuella övergreppen hon fick genomlida. Inte heller läkarnas okänslighet eller pappans idioti (han skulle inte heller ha blivit far... Vissa människor ska sterilisera sig om de nu vill ha sex men är helt värdelösa som medmänniskor och föräldrar).
Otroligt beskrivande och det är verkligen betungande att höra om dessa händelser på ett sådant beskrivande och rikt sätt. Donna är inte heller blyg när det kommer till våldtäkterna eller de sexuella övergreppen hon fick genomlida. Inte heller läkarnas okänslighet eller pappans idioti (han skulle inte heller ha blivit far... Vissa människor ska sterilisera sig om de nu vill ha sex men är helt värdelösa som medmänniskor och föräldrar).
March 25, 2021
Men som alltid när jag läser en sån här bok blir jag fascinerad av styrkan som finns i människan. Att man kan genomleva en sån barndom och sedan lyckas få ihop ett liv och ha så tydliga mål i livet som man ser till att uppnå!
October 6, 2021
Some parts of this kind of books you can't bear reading them ,let alone live and experience that.
March 29, 2012
Although I felt for the author I can't say I loved this book. She repeats herself to much for my liking. Did not go into detailed where is was almost needed. I realize it's a sad, heartbreaking , vile story to tell..you choose to write it then you should tell it all. Hence (needing detail). Now on the stepmother.
It never fails to amaze me what people will think up to do to children.This woman had to have been abused as a kid herself IMO ~ To even think some of this up. I thought at one point the author was touching on that subject, but then it seemed to go nowhere. I can't say this only deserved 3 stars but I just could not bring to give it 4 :( My suggestion is if you like the genre then it's worth a try but if you have never read one of these type books stay clear of this one...
It never fails to amaze me what people will think up to do to children.This woman had to have been abused as a kid herself IMO ~ To even think some of this up. I thought at one point the author was touching on that subject, but then it seemed to go nowhere. I can't say this only deserved 3 stars but I just could not bring to give it 4 :( My suggestion is if you like the genre then it's worth a try but if you have never read one of these type books stay clear of this one...
January 29, 2016
No words...
There really are no words to describe this one properly. While being very well written, it was a terrifying and heartbreaking read. Imagine if every time you felt safe, it all turned out to be a lie. To know your parents never really cared for or loved you. To always feel--and to feel deserving of--heinous neglect and abuse. That is the life this woman had. Unfortunately, there are too many others with stories and backgrounds similar to hers. Society needs to wake up and prevent these things from happening before they do. I'm sorry. I'm just too upset to talk more about this book. Read it if you wish; just be prepared to be angry and disappointed with humanity.
There really are no words to describe this one properly. While being very well written, it was a terrifying and heartbreaking read. Imagine if every time you felt safe, it all turned out to be a lie. To know your parents never really cared for or loved you. To always feel--and to feel deserving of--heinous neglect and abuse. That is the life this woman had. Unfortunately, there are too many others with stories and backgrounds similar to hers. Society needs to wake up and prevent these things from happening before they do. I'm sorry. I'm just too upset to talk more about this book. Read it if you wish; just be prepared to be angry and disappointed with humanity.
March 11, 2019
Amazingly honest
This is a brave and honest account of what a poor little girl had to go through. It’s hard to believe that children could be treated so brutally and cruelly. I think that the author, Donna Ford, is amazing and should be really proud of herself. She came through a dreadfully tough time and was brave enough to write about it in this compelling story. Good for her ❤️
This is a brave and honest account of what a poor little girl had to go through. It’s hard to believe that children could be treated so brutally and cruelly. I think that the author, Donna Ford, is amazing and should be really proud of herself. She came through a dreadfully tough time and was brave enough to write about it in this compelling story. Good for her ❤️
January 10, 2010
This book was really, really good - it had my crying halfway through the first chapter. It really makes you think about my own childhood and how good I had it compared to this little girl. What she went through is a complete nightmare and I honestly don't think I could have survived it. I would recommend this book to anyone.
August 26, 2013
I did not like this book at all. Not one bit. I've read many awful stories about child abuse and I don't now what set this apart so much from the others that I didn't even finish it. I just got so tired and sad from reading it, the misery was so heavy on every page that it made me dread this book. So I simply put this book down, for good.
May 22, 2011
an great book from an inspiring lady with a lot of courage.. its an excellent book i couldnt put the book down..the evil step mother should never have been allowed out.. but at least Donna has a loving family and great friends and her love of art to keep her strong and happy <3 x simply the best
February 8, 2013
Amamzing but her step mum was uutterly cruel, how can some one treat a kid that way. A bit more detail needed from her life after the age of 12/13. That woman deserves a hell of a lot more time than 2 years ( more like 200) To anyone who liked it i rekomend Keri by Kat Ward
February 18, 2015
I absolutely could not put this book down. A very emotional ride into the pits of hell where this child spent her tender years tormented by her step mother. A must read for anyone in the child care / social work, etc. profession. This book will move you to help these children in any way you can.
June 24, 2013
So sad just do not understand how this can be done to a child.Happy Donna turned out to be a happy Adult and raised her babies well.So many who go through what she did repeat the circle and hurt there kids.Good Job Donna for breaking the circle.Your a very strong woman.
July 21, 2013
cerita tentang penyiksaan anak tiri memang ga ada abisnya, ceritanya agak mirip dengan pola cerita "the lost child" tapi karena ini kisah nyata mungkin saja pola yang dilakukan tersangka juga sama.
salut pada mereka yang sanggup bertahan
salut pada mereka yang sanggup bertahan
August 10, 2015
This story broke my heart from start to finish. This woman, Helen, was just plain evil. I can't believe the outcome of the trail. Terrible and unfair. These poor children were tortured physically and mentally. Where is the justice?!
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January 20, 2017I won't rate this book as I don't know what to say. A really horrific read, Donna was put through so much as a child. A brave lady for not allowing that to stop her being a loving mother to her own children.
February 29, 2008
I know one of the people mentioned in this book - it is such a horrific tale of abuse. Please read it.
August 17, 2009
absolutely heartbreaking!
May 16, 2012
Had me in tears, a horrible, distressing story told by a truly inspiring person. Slightly repetitive, but I guess that's sums up the story.
June 27, 2012
Harrowing but inspiring.
August 1, 2014
This was a very difficult read, yet impossible to put down... Very inspirational... How much the human spirit can overcome.
November 19, 2014
Not great writing but gives a true, personal and often harrowing account of the author's childhood.
August 24, 2017
Läst på svenska: Styvdottern
September 9, 2018
Brilliant book... I couldn't put it down... such an amazing woman .. who have overcome so much in her life.
April 7, 2019
I have no words to describe this book... I actually cried.. ..
February 28, 2022
Beautifully told
What a horrible book told so beautifully. As a preschool teacher, the author can rest assured that at least one good thing has come from her story...it had made me, as a teacher, as an adult, a better advocate and better noticer. This book had opened my eyes to do all in my power not to become a blind eye.
What a horrible book told so beautifully. As a preschool teacher, the author can rest assured that at least one good thing has come from her story...it had made me, as a teacher, as an adult, a better advocate and better noticer. This book had opened my eyes to do all in my power not to become a blind eye.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews