Happy Anniversary and a Resilience Invitation from Flashback Girl

First, you are invited to a presentation about resilience for World Mental Health Day, October 8, 2026. I’ve been asked to participate on an expert panel, hosted by Calm Health. The event is virtual, free, and open to anyone, so feel free to share this invitation link

Flashback Girl was released six years ago this month. Supporting the book set me on a wild ride of speaking and writing. I never expected any of it. It’s been exciting and fulfilling.  

I know from some readers that the book changed their lives. One reader wrote that she was severely burned too, and never wore a bathing suit or swam in public. But, after reading the book, she went swimming, proud and strong.

Another wrote to tell me that she was chronically suicidal, but, having read about my brother Marc’s tragedy, she promised to stay alive. That reader is still with us.

Such is the power of our words and stories.

The fact that I’m going to be an expert on an international panel about resiliency, while my genius brother took his life makes no sense. I was an ordinary child, aside from the fact that I was scarred from head to toe, but still unusually cheerful. Marc was the one you’d notice and say, my God, what a gifted boy. To this day, friends remember him as both jaw-droppingly brilliant and also, so kind. So warm—so real—so true.

 For the past two years, I’ve been writing a manuscript about my brother, Marc-Emile Deguire. The book is part memoir, part investigation, part psychology, with a dash of magical realism. Marc’s story is glorious and tragic, uplifting and cautionary. I’m working toward publication now, so stay tuned.

Losing my brother was the worst thing that ever happened to me (and a lot of bad things have happened to me.) I believe this new book will help others from making the same awful mistake. I think it will inspire people who are suffering to keep going and get help. I also hope it will teach loved ones to recognize danger signs, signs that Marc’s family and friends missed. The book is a page-turner, an all-absorbing, compelling read.

 I remain, working to educate people about resilience, and retelling my brother’s story to help others, as I know he would’ve wished.

 Please join us for Building Resilience during Challenging Times: A World Mental Health Day Conversation, with Dr. Chris Mosinic (Chief Clinical Officer for CALM Health), Chibs Okereke (moderator and burnout coach), and yours truly, on October 8 at 4:00 PM (ET)/1:00 PM (PT).  LINK to register.

Link to register HERE