I Am Someone

Aisling Creegan's childhood was dominated by an abusive, alcoholic mother, who tortured her at every turn. From insults and beatings to being threatened with a butcher's knife, Aisling endured unthinkable suffering at the hands of the woman who should have loved her unconditionally. Yet, in the midst of this trauma, Aisling relied on the one person she knew she could trust - herself. Possessed of an incredible imagination and remarkable resilience, Aisling found escape in the little things in life. Her power to imagine an alternative world enabled her to hold on and make it to adolescence and the freedom she had longed for since childhood. But the scars of the past take time to heal, and when Aisling suffered a breakdown it took her on a surprising path to freedom - and forgiveness. I Am Someone is an extraordinary memoir about female cruelty and - ultimately - female strength and endurance. 'Searingly honest ... brings you straight into the inner world of someone pushed to the limits' Lynn Ruane

Aisling Creegan is an artist who has degrees in Fine Art, and Counselling and Psychotherapy. She lives in Wicklow. You can see Aisling's paintings on the New Irish Art website, or through her @creegan.studio profile on Facebook or Instagram. Aisling has put together a list of organisations that can support people affected by the issues she has written about; this can be found at the back of the book.