My Sunflower Soul
A Memoir
by Emily Quint

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It is often said that with adversity comes strength, and that the sun will always emerge after a storm. No one knows the truth of this more than Emily Quint. In My Sunflower Soul, Emily shares the story of her life—a life in which she has weathered more than her fair share of storms. Her tale begins in childhood, when she began to experience major bouts of anxiety and severe panic attacks. Emily’s mental illness worsened as she entered into an adolescence characterized by body image issues, disordered eating, self-harm, suicidality, and unhealthy reliance on alcohol. She did all she could to combat her demons, but a new obstacle soon presented itself in the form of a cancer diagnosis and the harsh realities of chemotherapy that came with it. Emily’s earnest attempts to find healing in adulthood were countered yet again, this time by intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and the pain of pregnancy loss. Throughout it all, Emily persevered. Emily shares her story with candour and raw honesty, inviting her readers to step into her shoes as she navigates pain and finds strength. She bravely gives her readers access to her inner thoughts as she tackles the most difficult moments of her life. Emily shares not only her story, but also her personal strategies and learnings that helped her overcome, recover, and heal. Emily’s hope is simple, yet profound: that her readers, too, can water their own Sunflower Souls, finding their own light, growth, and resilience amid life’s challenges.

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Emily Quint is an aspiring therapist currently completing her master of social work, with five years of experience in the field of mental health. She holds a master of education in developmental psychology, a post-graduate certificate in addictions and mental health, and a bachelor of arts in honours psychology. A member of Survivors for Justice Reform Coalition, Emily continues to advocate for proper treatment of survivors of sexual violence within the justice system. Her desire to take her advocacy further and share her own journey of resilience and healing were part of the inspiration behind this book. Emily lives in Fergus, Ontario, with her husband, Brandon, and her dog, Rosie. My Sunflower Soul is her first book. You can find Emily and learn more about her work at www.emilyfindshealing.com.

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Contributors

Author

Emily Quint