Toni Lontis
Toni Lontis
Co-Hosted Series Featuring Karen Coomba Show 1
Co-Hosted Series Featuring Karen Coomba Show 1
Co-Hosted Series Featuring Karen Coomba Show 1
Wednesday 31st May 2023
Karen Coomba shares her journey of growing up with a schizophrenic mother, highlighting the need for early intervention and compassion.
59 minutes
Hopeful
Informative
Compassionate
Empowering
Inspiring
About this podcast
Author:
Toni Lontis
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery from Trauma
Entrepreneurship for Personal Growth
Sobriety Toolkit
Spiritual & Personal Growth Journeys
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
290 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Karen Coomba's Story: Surviving and Thriving Beyond Mental Health Trauma
Episode Overview
- Karen shares the impact of growing up with a schizophrenic mother, highlighting the fear and disconnect she felt as a child.
- She reflects on the burden placed on her as the eldest child, taking on responsibilities beyond her years.
- Karen discusses the long-term effects of trauma on education, relationships, and self-worth, emphasizing the need for early intervention and support in schools.
- She sheds light on the stigma and fear surrounding schizophrenia, calling for compassion and understanding from society.
- Karen expresses her commitment to speaking and connecting with diverse groups to share her experiences and support those affected by mental illness.
If you don't give them help, they do not know who they want to be. They're settling. They're either homeless and they're not even living their life.
Imagine growing up in a world where your mother is both your caregiver and your greatest source of fear. That's the reality Karen Coomba faced, and in this episode, she sits down with Toni Lontis to share her deeply personal story. Karen's memoir, 'The Snipers We Couldn't See', paints a vivid picture of her life under the shadow of her schizophrenic mother’s abuse.
But this isn't just a tale of hardship—it's a testament to resilience and the human spirit's ability to find light in the darkest of places. Karen reflects on her childhood confusion and fear, not understanding her mother's erratic behavior. She opens up about the impact this had on her education, relationships, and self-worth, offering a raw look at the long-term effects of growing up in such an environment.
With a mix of sorrow and hope, she emphasizes the importance of early intervention and education to help children in similar situations. Karen also discusses her father's struggle to cope and the heavy responsibilities she bore as the eldest child. Her story isn't just about survival; it's about finding a way to thrive despite overwhelming odds. Karen now dedicates her life to mental health advocacy, working directly with those affected by mental illness.
She believes in 'staying in your happy pond' and shows up every day to spread that message. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by mental illness, offering insights into the importance of compassion, understanding, and early support.