HUNTERSVILLE — Elza Spaedy, local author and sexual abuse survivor, released her latest book about healing after trauma at a special launch event Sept. 16 at St. Mark Church.
Spaedy’s second book, “Healed and Restored: A Journey Through Trauma, Resilience and Transformative Healing,” aims to help men and women who are trying to recover from a variety of deep emotional wounds.
This is “one trauma survivor’s way of trying to assist other hurting souls,” Spaedy says. “This book is definitely one that I wish I had come across when I was in my early 20s, when I realized what I had been through at eight years old.”
Spaedy says she was abused by someone posing as a family friend. She hopes other abuse survivors or those struggling under the weight of trauma will gain understanding from her book and in pondering reflective questions in each chapter. She believes readers will also come to see how traumatic events may have a substantial impact in many areas of their lives.
“The things that I discuss in the book helped me heal and I hope help someone else,” she explains. “I talk about carrying shame and dealing with mental illness. Because I walked that walk, I can talk that talk.”
Spaedy also hopes the book will help people who may not have experienced trauma but would like insight “so that they can walk with others who have.”
Proceeds from the book benefit Spaedy’s nonprofit Healed and Restored ministry, a free, residential, faith-based program that provides counseling and therapy to help women recover from physical and sexual abuse, including sex trafficking.
“By the grace of God, the ministry has been growing,” Spaedy says. “We’re now able to pay for women to receive professional counseling from Catholic mental health professionals in the area.”
One goal of the ministry is to build a 10-bed facility for women. Spaedy and the ministry board of directors are looking for a donor to provide land so that fundraising can begin for a future permanent home for the ministry.
“As adults,” Spaedy says, “many of us are awakening to our traumas and, consequently, to the need to find healing and restoration. Healing happens not only internally, but also in communal sharing. That means when we share our stories, they have the power to inspire and give others hope.”
— SueAnn Howell
For more info
For more information about Healed and Restored ministry, to RSVP for the Sept. 16 book launch event, or to order Spaedy’s new book, go online to www.healedandrestored.org. Questions? Contact Elza Spaedy directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..