Blood on the Mirror: True Story from the Streets to Redemption
Pregnancy - What is this thing doing in me?
Abortions - What have I done?
Miscarriages - Why does this always happen to me?
Street Life - I feel so cold and alone
Prostitution - It's only for some extra money
Fetish Industry - I can make them feel the pain I do
Drug Addiction - To try and numb myself more
Mental Illness - I really am crazy
Suicide Attempts - I can't even get that right
Near Death Experience - What am I doing here??
After a childhood of lies, sexual abuse, emotional and physical violence, many different homes and 18 schools, I ran away from home to be "free." What I encountered along the way was everything but freedom, until finally I made the wisest choice anyone could ever make...
Anita Mary is a 47 year old married woman with one young adult son and 3 cats, who all live in Papakura, South Auckland, New Zealand.
Growing up as the oldest child wasn't easy in the late 1960's in New Zealand, and she tried her hardest to make things work, but ended up being shifted from one home to another within her family. After attending 18 schools up and down New Zealand and trying to deal with the internal complexities that grew from external voices and sexual abuse....
She found herself living on the streets of Auckland and Wellington Mid 1980's, and submerged herself in the New Zealand Underground Punk scene at this time to try to escape from her inward reality of self hatred and disgust. It was in this lifestyle, she found some of her closest and dearest friends to this day, but still life tormented her.
Abortions, suicide attempts, prostitution and petty crime..... yet internal anger and self-hatred became her release.
Going from one drama to the next she ended up being the passenger in a serious Motor Vehicle Accident after coming back from a gig one night. She was shattered, alive but broken. Anita sustained severe multiple head injuries, temporary paralysis down one side and a minor stroke on the other, Anita had to learn to walk, talk and even hold a conversation all over again....this seemed like it was all too much for Anita, but she continued to go from one victory to another.
Slowly but surely, over the next chapter of her life, Anita got herself cleaned up, off drugs, married to Brad (14+ years now) and with 1 son, Taylor.
In August 2000 - Anita found herself in a church and had given her life to Jesus Christ. This too, is an ongoing journey, one she does not take lightly, and is what she believes is the reason she is who she is today.
- Illustrated a children's book, Not For Kids (2015) written by Liz Walker:
- Completed several workshops involving working alongside those who struggle with Mental Health issues, Addiction or Chronic Pain.
- Graduated 3 alcohol and drug treatment programmes - Miranda Health Centre (1991), Higher Ground (1993) & Odyssey House (1994 - 1996).
¿- Completed 6th Form at Metropolitan College in Photography, Art and English (1994).
She is currently involved in helping others in her local community through Papakura Art Gallery and long term would love to see the Toi Ora Model set up in Papakura, where the marginalised can come together and grow as community members.
Publisher: Anita Mary
Published: New Zealand, 1 April 2017
Format: Paperback, 190 pages
Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 centimeters (0.26 kg)
Writer: Mary, Anita
About the Author
Anita Mary is a 47 year old married woman with one young adult son and 3 cats, who all live in Papakura, South Auckland, New Zealand. Growing up as the oldest child wasn't easy in the late 1960's in New Zealand, and she tried her hardest to make things work, but ended up being shifted from one home to another within her family. After attending 18 schools up and down New Zealand and trying to deal with the internal complexities that grew from external voices and sexual abuse.... She found herself living on the streets of Auckland and Wellington Mid 1980's, and submerged herself in the New Zealand Underground Punk scene at this time to try to escape from her inward reality of self hatred and disgust. It was in this lifestyle, she found some of her closest and dearest friends to this day, but still life tormented her. Abortions, Suicide Attempts, Prostitution and Petty Crime... yet Internal Anger and Self-Hatred became her release. Going from one drama to the next she ended up being the passenger in a serious Motor Vehicle Accident after coming back from a gig one night. She was shattered, alive but broken. Anita sustained severe multiple head injuries, temporary paralysis down one side and a minor stroke on the other, Anita had to learn to walk, talk and even hold a conversation all over again....this seemed like it was all too much for Anita, but she continued to go from one victory to another. Slowly but surely, over the next chapter of her life, Anita got herself cleaned up, off drugs, married to Brad (14+ years now) and her son, Taylor. In August 2000 - Anita found herself in a church and had given her life to Jesus Christ. This too, is an ongoing journey, one she does not take lightly, and is what she believes is the reason she is who she is today.
Reviews
"Virtually everyone has been affected by depression, suicide or abuse. Blood on the Mirror tells Anita's incredible story of hope and will encourage any reader. We are truly inspired by this story of beauty from ashes." TD & Veronica Benton, White Collar SideshowAnita and I met in the late 80's during the height of the "second wave" of punk rock culture that was sweeping the planet. Our rebellious spirit fuelled, for many, a destructive lifestyle. Too easily society judged us, looking only from the outside. But what is it like on the inside, where you can't see out and the walls are pushing in?I have a huge admiration for Anita's transparency as she intimately shares snippets of her harrowing past, filled with child abuse, drug addiction, violence, self-loathing and prostitution. Seeing where she stands now, having overcome let alone survived her ordeals, I am in total awe. In reading this book, it is my desire the reader can see there is a hope that waits patiently for us all. A light in the darkness. A new life in freedom. A Life Of Absolute Wonder! Bruce Coghlan (Bruce Says Ska) Anita's story is raw, there is no getting away from the gritty reality of her early days living wild and rough in a spiraling destructive lifestyle. The frankness of her story may offend some people's sensibilities, but her story will resonate with those who simply struggle to trust others and what they say. Her story is no-holds-barred journey from certain destruction to a beautiful, genuine and fruitful redemption. Whosoever is forgiven much, loves much! Mike Brewer, CEO Rhema MediaA profoundly moving and startling honest testimony of resilience, love and strength of the human (Anita's) spirit. Erwin Van Asbeck, Director, Toi Ora Live Arts Trust In sharing her story beyond her closest friendships, Anita emerges with joy and generosity of heart from a harrowing childhood, and an adolescence unraveled like her mother's knitting.It is with inexpressible awe, pride and love that I observe my courageous friend as she takes this remarkable step in healing, in the hope that others might find in these pages the strength to do the same. *Amber Lahikainen (aka Miss Orange)*Anita's book Blood on the Mirror is a real and true account of where the ugliness of life can take us, but also where the grace of God can find us. Anita pulls no punches as she shares her life story without God and an honest insight of what takes place when God's love and forgiveness is personally encountered. Her honest approach to writing her story will inspire you to understand that none of us are left alone even in the worst of what life can bring us. Make the right choice and with God's help a brand new future awaits. Paul de Jong, Life NZ