More surprising than the human capacity to survive unimaginable tragedy was discovering the transformative powers of the trauma recovery process to turn trauma into triumph. The Gift: Trauma to Triumph recounts the author’s struggle to survive, learn healing practices, build inner strength, explore effective pathways to recovery, and discover a life worth living. In this true crime self-help memoir, dubbed “The Trauma Survivor’s Bible,” readers learn how to heal their broken selves, families, communities, nations, and world.
The Gift: Trauma to Triumph begins with the tragic murder of the author’s wife. A 10-year look-back divulges family maladies and miseries. A 10-year look-forward reveals unexpected recovery. If we’re courageous and fortunate enough to find our healing path, then we survive seemingly unbearable grief and misfortune to experience the miracle of post-traumatic growth.
Burton Fischler married into a family where murder and suicide resulted from intergenerational dysfunction, ill-fated neurobiology, and risky epigenetic factors. Ravaging drug addictions, crippling mental illnesses, and terrifying incidents of child-to-parent violence were exacerbated by well-intended enabling behaviors. When tragedy struck, Burton didn’t think he could survive. As his life unraveled, Burton lost everything: his wife, stepsons, career, inheritance, and self.
Part I: Tragedy & Trauma is a woeful tale of unspeakable tragedy and a deep dive into the horrid consequences of inadequately treated mental illness and substance abuse. Part II: Spiritual Awakenings explores forgiveness, gratitude, mindfulness, awe, and self-love. Part III: Spiritual Revelations reveals the power of human connection, patience, faith, and hope. Part IV: Growing & Thriving examines tragedy’s silver linings — self-realization, starting over, self-transformation, purposeful living, and spiritual renewal.
By presenting a confluence of wisdom acquired from his experiences as a trauma survivor, psychotherapy and somatic integration therapy, training in psychology, renowned retreats and workshops, trauma researchers and recovery experts, personal development gurus, and spiritual leaders, the author attempts to answer the incredulous “how?” How could these tragedies have been averted, and how could healing and growth occur in their wake?
At this exact moment in history, we’re witnessing rising incidences of tragedy. Deaths of despair, alcohol and drug-related diseases and overdoses, sexual abuse, domestic violence, mass shootings, hit-and-runs, and hate crimes are escalating at alarming rates. The immediacy of available news adds to our woundedness, as does being divided on a myriad of issues and our growing intolerance. Trauma-informed care and self-care can provide much-needed quick relief while we scramble to make systemic changes in our mental health, medical, social, and justice systems. There’s no better time than now for readers to receive the healing messages of The Gift: Trauma to Triumph.
Burton Fischler, MPsych, received a BA in Psychology from Hofstra University and a Master’s in Psychology from New York University. In the wake of tragedy, Burton became a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor-Advanced and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. He currently works at a medically supervised outpatient chemical dependency treatment center in NYC where he helps patients navigate their substance abuse and trauma recovery journeys.
