Published by Christine Macdonald
About Christine Macdonald
Christine Macdonald is a Los Angeles based author from the island of O’ahu.
Through her writing she uses her voice, a unique blend of cutting truth and self-deprecating humor to inspire others to release their shame and tell their story.
She is public about her struggles with clinical depression and PTSD from childhood abuse.
Her forthcoming book of essays about surviving addiction and a career in the sex industry will be published in 2020.
For more on Christine’s remarkable story visit her website www.poletosoul.com.
View all posts by Christine Macdonald
You are as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside. May I ask, what were the scars from, if it's not too personal?
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Awee thank you! Not too personal as I am just in the midst of writing about this in my book! It's all good. At 14, I was diagnosed with Grade IV Nodulocystic Acne Vulgaris, a very severe skin disease consisting of deep seated fluctuant nodules and cysts. Most my face, chest and back were infected. In other words: sever cystic acne. Beyond anything you can imagine. Kids in school called me Freddy Kruger and Pizza Face. I constantly woke up in the middle of the night with blood on my pillow from the breaking open of the cysts in my sleep.Many years and lots of healing internally — and I'm here! 🙂
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Those photos tell a story that's not been fully told. I simply cannot wait for the final draft!I rarely throw away even the photos I don't like. It's amazing what how you can turn what you thought was trash into a beautiful, proud image that's worth keeping and cherishing…just like so many of us "throw-away" people.
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Thanks Lori. It's funny you should say that because I was just thinking "who knew in keeping these photos, they would turn out to be in a book about self worth?" Kevin came home from work yesterday and I must have looked like I was in pain at my computer (I was writing about my skin). He sat down next to me and just let me cry. I received an email from an old friend from childhood yesterday. She told me she remembered the hell I went through in high school because of my skin and that she understands how I could have gone in to stripping. It was the first time I heard of anyone other than my own head about those dark days. It made it so real. I am happy I have those photos to share because they help connect the dots with my story.
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i love learning more about your life. so fascinating.
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Wow, Christine, such a powerful and painful moment. I learn about my own sufferings through you sharing about yours. I love the ties that binds us writers. That Kevin, cool dude.
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I think the thing I appreciate about your writing is that you are open about things without justifying them. You tell it like it is: the good, the not-so-good, the pain over which you had no control and the pain you overcame. I think that is what resonates with me, even though an outside party might look at our lives and see two women, so close in age and yet worlds apart in experience, who have found common ground in our willingness to share what we know, and celebrate the common ground.You really are special, Christine.
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@Hipstercrite – Thanks so much girlie. I feel the same way about you! 🙂 @Lori – He's my knight in shining armor. 🙂 @DeNae – Thanks so much. I feel the same way about you and love how we all share a common thread no matter what our backgrounds are.
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The first and the last are my favorites. They are the real you.
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No wonder you are writing a book about your life!You look great.
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