If Only I Could Sleep

Stephanie McAndrew’s childhood took an unexpected turn when her granduncle molested her. A series of sexual abuses followed—by family members and strangers—wrecking her self-esteem and leaving her isolated, guilt-ridden, and confused.

Desperate to regain some sense of control, she began an emotionally shattering lifelong struggle with bulimia and the curse of having “the look” men desire. After multiple suicide attempts, years of work as a stripper, losing custody of her daughter, battling drugs and alcohol, and enduring a string of ill-fated marriages, Stephanie put her life on course by reaching out to others.

A testament to resilience and preservation, If Only I Could Sleep is a heartbreaking and riveting story of self-discovery and overcoming the challenges that can make life seem unbearable.

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A writer, mother, speaker, and activist, Stephanie Henry-McAndrew has overcome tremendous adversity that has birthed a passion to help women and children rise from pain to power. She is dedicated to the fight against national and international child sex trade and human trafficking, as well as domestic violence, sexual abuse, and eating disorders. She also supports issues surrounding life skills education and survival for orphans and works to teach others not to be silent when the need to reveal secrets will heal and save them from being victimized. A firm believer in activism for the empowerment of women and children, Stephanie says, “Our children are not only our responsibility but our future. Keeping them safe is my number one passion.”