To Touch a Butterfly

About the Book

The true story of a life changed one bright March morning with the abuse and rape of a five year old girl's body and soul and subsequently how she sought solace within the love of an imaginary friendship and found the courage to heal. A haunting, but uplifting tale of damage, the ultimate betrayal of a family member and survival of the human spirit.

The story follows Rachels' life from the age of five, through teenage years, up to the death of her abuser. Concentrating initailly on the relationship with her imaginary friend and how he enabled her to cope by transporting her mind from "the room" to a wonderful adventure where she was safe. Leading to the end of their friendship; her first true love and she was able to, remarkably, move on and create a life after years of cruel and gruesome emotional and sexual abuse.

A survivor's story that proves that victim's don't have to just survive, they can thrive.

About the Author

After a flirtation with recruitment, Rachel spent a few years working as a personal assistant within advertising and subsequently the IT sector. After the death of her son and the following year's birth of her daughter, Rachel worked for a professional sports psychologist within the English Football Premier League, eventually moving onto sales and subsequently becoming an at-home mum.

Having lived through abuse from an alcoholic, Rachel is currently studying Alcohol and Drugs Counseling as a stepping-stone towards her goal of becoming a social worker, whilst working part time and writing her second book. She is also currently developing a website where she is setting up a forum designed for survivors of abuse to share their thoughts, feelings and stories. She has participated in several workshops and courses in sexual abuse and counseling and hopes to work in this area with children who have suffered as a result of another's actions.

She has done voluntary work within schools, using creativity to help children learn, and nursing homes and spent a few years as a childminder.

Her greatest achievement, besides her writing, was leading Australia out at the 2002 Commonwealth Games as a volunteer representing Manchester.

When not working or writing, Rachel spends most of her time at home with her daughter, Lucie to whom she is devoted and plays an active role in her school and schooling. She live in Cheshire.