El Dorado Hills, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/20/2014 -- While she grew up with an alcoholic and neglectful mother, Shirlee Scribner didn’t ever expect to witness her receiving a blow to her pregnant stomach. More than just an injury, the beating resulted in Scribner’s brother, Dallas, being born with severe mental impairment. As an adult, Scribner would also become acutely aware that Dallas had suffered almost-deadly abuse himself and that she would give up anything to save him.

What ensued was Scribner’s long and tumultuous battle to not only save Dallas from the shackles of abuse, but also to save herself from the past and the addictions it afflicted. Having now risen from the ashes and compiled her life story into a hugely-inspirational new book, Scribner has changed the lives of thousands facing the same plight.

‘Untangle: You Can't Save Others Until You Save Yourself’ has achieved so much more than the regular memoir, with a string of accolades that have proven its worth in the field.

Book synopsis:

she was ten years old, Shirlee Scribner witnessed her father kick her mother's pregnant belly, a life-changing blow that sent her mother to the emergency room and caused her youngest brother Dallas to suffer severe mental impairment at birth. Afterward, Scribner and her six siblings were sent into the cold arms of foster care, until at last they were reunited with their mother, who had remarried. And that's when a new and horrifying chapter of violence began.

Once the victim of their father’s alcohol-fueled rages, their mother terrorized Dallas, regularly beating him, refusing to send him to school, and isolating him from the rest of the family.

Meanwhile, Scribner already an adult by then was struggling to make a stable life for herself out of the chaos of her childhood. She eventually fulfilled her dream of earning a college degree, embarked on a successful career, and, in spite of the alienation and neglect that had formed her emotional landscape, found strength and support with her husband Blake. So when, in his thirties, Dallas finally gave voice to the brutality he had endured his entire life, Scribner heard his cry for help and fought to give her brother a better life.

Untangle is a lyrical and compelling account of the ways in which we triumph over the pain of the past. At times shocking in its detail, Scribner offers a rare and dignified account of how someone with mental disabilities, whose life was profoundly shaped by abuse, broke free from its legacy. Ultimately, Untangle is a testament to the human spirit, and our capacity to show love, strength, and courage, both to ourselves and to each other, even in the face of utter cruelty.

“I didn’t write the book for recognition, but to instead campaign for better treatment of persons with mental disabilities and also to give a voice to those children suffering in silence,” says Scribner. “While we have achieved this with gusto, the book’s reach and esteem has stretched far beyond anything Blake or I could have ever imagined.”

Aside from a rapidly-growing social media following and numerous media engagements, Scribner is most proud of her official recognition from the State of California.

“After a recent book signing I was presented with a Certificate of Recognition signed by California Senator, Ted Gains. Inscribed is the statement “In recognition of your tireless efforts on behalf of those with mental disabilities.” I don’t think I could ask for a more profound accolade and I am truly touched that what started off as a series of life-ruining experiences can now be transposed into a tangible efforts to help others,” she adds.

Readers have also flocked in their droves to leave positive reviews. Brian Jones comments, “Shirlee Scribner's autobiographical story of her abusive childhood and fight to save her disabled brother will have you rapidly turning pages to find out what happens next. Shirlee tells her story without bitterness and hatred, but still manages to induce tears when recounting near-starvation, mental abuse, and neglect at the hands of her parents. The story becomes even more compelling when it turns to her mentally challenged brother and the abuse he suffers far into adulthood. Her struggles with Social Services and the court system are both fascinating and disheartening, but ultimately uplifting due to Shirlee's love for her family and faith in God.”

Carole Engquist adds, “What is it that enables a person to overcome obstacles and adversity? Is it the unconditional love of a grandmother, the support of a caring pastor and church community? Or is it a person's inner strength and the faith that God has a plan for your life? Whatever it is that gives a person the power to prevail over hardship, Shirlee Scribner found it.”

For more information about Shirlee Scribner and ‘Untangle’, please visit the official website.

‘Untangle: You Can’t Save Others Until You Save Yourself’ is available now: http://amzn.to/1r0Dd1O.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shirleescribnerauthor?ref=br_tf

About Shirlee Scribner
Shirlee Scribner spent twenty years as a project manager, space planner, and interior designer of hospitals, medical office buildings, and corporate HMO offices, and through her work she created hospital environments that felt more homey than institutional. She implemented Americans with Disabilities regulations in her work, providing available access and special accommodations to the disabled. Though she has since left the interior design industry, Shirlee has continued her generous work in hospitals and women’s centers. In Concord, California, Shirlee spent several years on the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors of the Mt. Diablo Hospital Foundation, where she helped to raise money for heart and cancer patients. In Mather, California, Shirlee created the Mather Hospital Veteran’s Hospital Volunteer Visitation Program. And in Livermore, California, Shirlee spent two years donating her time designing a beautiful Christian sanctuary called Shepherd’s Gate, a safe haven for homeless mothers and children. In her free time, Shirlee loves hiking, biking, and playing tennis. At times she can be found piloting yachts on the San Francisco Bay, flying Cessna airplanes, and enjoying book clubs. She has one son, Scott, his wife, Iwona, a software engineer, and a grandson, Dillon, and she is happily married to her husband, Blake.