Overview

"This is the true story of a plucky young girl who suffered an extremely traumatic and cruel childhood. Her name was Shirley Gilfillan and she was born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1925 to a mentally disturbed mother and a weak and inadequate father. She was abandoned by him at three years of age and then permanently blinded in her left eye by her psychotic and alcoholic mother at the tender age of four. Her neighbours feared for the child's life and reported her mother to the authorities. Two women police officers appeared at their door and the distressed and terror-stricken child was torn from her mother and placed with her bachelor uncle who had no idea of how to care for a young child. His sister was taken by the authorities and placed in a mental institution, diagnosed as homicidal and paranoid schizophrenic. She was never released. When Shirley was nine her uncle made the gut wrenching decision to place her in a Catholic orphanage. Abandoned and rejected once again, the young girl was desperately heart broken and inconsolable. The orphanage sadly brought brutality and cruelty into her already battered life and her days were extremely difficult. Sent to the country to work for an elderly couple, she hoped for a new and brighter beginning but instead she was sexually abused and ill-treated. Somehow Shirley found the courage to keep on hoping and praying for the tide to turn. Working as a live-in maid in houses in Prospect, Adelaide. South Australia finally brought an answer to her prayers for ""Someone to Watch Over Me"". Shirley was the author's beloved mother and she told her story to her daughter over many years."

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9780648476689

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Reviews

Endorsements: Patricia has documented her mother's true story with passion and clarity, making it an easy and engaging read. I highly recommend the book be read by everyone working with children. Dr. Antonia van Loon, BN, MN (Research), PhD. Researcher working with survivors of child sexual abuse, author of several books on the subject of child sexual abuse. Adelaide. South Australia Someone to Watch Over Me is a moving personal account of the strength of the human spirit. The story of compassion and love under tragic circumstances needed to be told and more importantly, heard. Rose Good, Author of Scheyville - the Last Camp Trish has written her story in a sensitive and caring manner which can encourage people who face huge obstacles in their lives. Pastor Charles Schwab Geelong, Victoria. Australia As child abuse and neglect continue to affect so many in this world, I would recommend that all people (over the age of 15) read this compelling work. Kerryn Redpath Award winning author of Out of the Darkness and also Chasing After the Wind. Melbourne, Victoria. Australia I love this book. I laughed and I cried and I couldn't put it down. It is beautifully and powerfully written and I am telling all my friends about it. Angie O'Flaherty Adelaide South Australia

Author Information

Patricia Taylor is the eldest of seven children born to Shirley and Burton Clough. Over many years her mother shared snippets with her from her traumatic childhood, many details not shared elsewhere or even with her husband. Her secrets were covered with a dark cloud of shame as if her past was her fault and not the fault of cruel and neglectful adults. The author wrote down details shared during 'phone calls or while spending time with her mother. The stacks of paper were filed away in order to keep her mother's history for whoever may want to hear it one day. Writing a book was a seed that was planted by a friend and then it grew until it became a passion to record her mother's story and honour her resilience and courage. Her mother gave her blessing for this project. Patricia's working years included secretarial duties, journalism, retail, creative arts and painting and welfare work which ignited a spark of compassion in her heart for abused and needy children. Setting up a drop-in centre in southern Adelaide gave her opportunity to assist many young people. Working as an events organiser to fund raise for children in need has also been a passion of her's. This is the author's first book. Ros Mills is a former Medical Secretary at the University of Queensland. Ros has a remarkable gift with the English language and has edited many books over the years. Ros also has a huge heart and she ended up reading my book four times over several years as I changed and chopped and added to it. Her patience and grace towards me and my project and my learning as I went will never be forgotten.The proceeds from my book go to help rescue needy children in northern Uganda through the Irene Gleeson Foundation. Ros is a great humanitarian and it is so like her to jump on board as a huge supporter of this cause. Michael Davies is the founder of the Mickie Dalton Foundation. The Foundation supports literacy programs, school writing programs, and will eventually become a non-profit publisher, aiming to publish Australian writers and assist in sales and distribution. As well as helping writers by preparing their work for publication, Michael is also the author of several books.

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