Introduction

As the “Seeing Eye Girl” for her blind, artistic, and mentally ill mother, Beverly Armento was intimately connected with and responsible for her, even though her mother physically and emotionally abused her. She was Strong Beverly at school—excellent in academics and mentored by caring teachers—but at home she was Weak Beverly, cowed by her mother’s rage and delusions.

Beverly’s mother regained her sight with two corneal transplants in 1950 and went on to enjoy a moment of fame as an artist, but these positive turns did nothing to stop her disintegration into her delusional world of communists, radiation, and lurking Italians. To survive, Beverly had to be resilient and hopeful that better days could be ahead. But first, she had to confront essential ethical issues about her caregiving role in her family.

In this emotional memoir, Beverly shares the coping strategies she invented to get herself through the trials of her young life, and the ways in which school and church served as refuges over the course of her journey. Breaking the psychological chains that bound her to her mother would prove to be the most difficult challenge of her life—and, ultimately, the most liberating one.

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Excerpt

A former educator with decades of experience, Beverly J. Armento wrote “Seeing Eye Girl” (She Writes Press, July 5, 2022) for the invisible walking wounded–children who hide their pain behind smiles–and for the teachers and mentors who doubt the power of their support.

As a child, Beverly was the “Seeing Eye Girl” for her blind and mentally ill mother. She was intimately connected with and responsible for her, even though her mother physically and emotionally abused her. She was Strong Beverly at school where she excelled in academics and was mentored by caring teachers. But at home she was Weak Beverly.

“Seeing Eye Girl” is her harrowing story of growing up in an abusive and dysfunctional home. Yet it’s also an uplifting story of resilience and hope–an inspirational story about the teachers who empowered Beverly and gave her the resources and spirit to survive and thrive.

Deftly and courageously written, “Seeing Eye Girl” is a deeply moving journey that will leave you both thankful for all the helping hands who guided you on your path and introspective about how you can give back to others. view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

From the author:

1. What does “walking wounded” mean to you? And how we can keep our eyes open for ways to help the “walking wounded” in our community

2. This is a story about resilience and hope. Where does one find hope in a dysfunctional home? What about resilience?

3. What impact did your mentors have on you growing up? Can anyone be a mentor?

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