The Life and Writings of Barbara Nelson Blinn

"A very detailed story of the true harrowing survival tale of a mother and daughter.  A book, that once you pick up, you cannot put down.  The details really take you into the mind of a person that suffers long-term emotional and physical abuse from their spouse, parent, and grandparent. This novel will help you truly understand ways that you could support others in a similar situation."  

    -  Heather M. Bush, attorney

       Grand Blanc, Michigan

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Bullheaded Inner Strength by Dr. Carol Ann Blinn White.

 

This book is the story of cover-up, self-centeredness, greed, domestic violence, and mental illness. Ralph and Judy Washington and their children Bobbie and Alyssa are the main characters in this novel based on the true story of Barbara's life and Carol's childhood. Minor details are changed as well as names and event locations, but the overall circumstances are portrayed as they actually happened.  Carol did a great deal of research for this book, including ordering trial transcripts and reviewing medical records and old letters in order to give the reader as much detail as possible.

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Ralph Washington was given everything he wanted by his mother and never learned the consequences of his actions.  Betty Washington had her own mental health issues and her manipulation and inappropriate control over Ralph's life would cause him to go on to hurt others.

 

Judy Beiber suffered through an impoverished childhood before she married Ralph Washington. She also dealt with the circumstances of a disabled child and severe domestic violence during that marriage. It was a time when the laws did little to protect abused women, and there were few resources for disabled children. Gun and knife violence, cover-ups, jury tampering, threats to medical providers and police officers, and a mother who would do literally anything for her son, including aid in harming someone, are described in detail.

 

The vivid memories of Ralph and Judy’s daughter Alyssa who lived through this psychotic nightmare with her parents are also recorded. Judy tried to protect Alyssa by shielding her from some of the abuse and encouraging her in school. She did not want Alyssa to repeat her mistakes and find herself trapped in a bad relationship with no job skills and little money to survive as she had been.

 

The book starts with a description of Ralph’s parents to lay a foundation as to how Ralph was raised. Ralph and Judy's upbringings are described, as well as their courtship and marriage. Later, the traumatic abuse, how the court system became involved, and their lives after the marriage disintegrated are detailed.

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Carol believes that in writing this book, as well as edited and publishing Barbara’s other books, she has given Barbara a voice as to her plight, which is one that many find themselves facing silently.

 

Carol's hope is that others will be encouraged to know that someone can rise out of abuse and live a happy and successful life.  We all have struggles in life. How we handle those struggles defines us. Barbara’s outlet was her writing. Without it, she likely would have been unable to cope with her circumstances.

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This story is a lot like the abuse Francine who was played by Farrah Faucet in The Burning bed went through in her life. After this movie came out in 1982, there was more awareness about domestic violence and abuse. Carol's experience was very much like Francine’s daughter, Christie, who had to testify at trial against her own father.