A Story of Strength and Survival

Some stories break your heart before they heal it, and Van ellende naar succes: het verhaal van een kind (translated as From Abuse to Success: A Child’s Story) by Walter Paul Lawrence is exactly that kind of book. This deeply personal memoir is the Dutch edition of Lawrence’s life story, one that begins with childhood trauma and ends in redemption and hope. It’s raw, unfiltered, and profoundly moving — the kind of book that reminds you that no matter how dark the road gets, there’s always a way forward.

Lawrence takes readers through a lifetime marked by loss, abuse, and heartbreak, but also resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery. What makes this story powerful is not just what he went through but how he chose to rise above it — turning a painful past into a life built on strength, compassion, and purpose.

“Toen de ellende begon in de jaren 50, had ik mezelf beloofd mijn eigen leven te leiden en nooit te liegen of anderen de schuld te geven van mijn fouten. In 2008 gingen mijn vrouw en ik naar New York om mijn moeder op te zoeken in een verzorgingstehuis. Tijdens ons gesprek zei ze: ‘wat ben je een leuk mens geworden.’ Ze had totaal niet door wie ik echt was. Op 25 december 2010 overleed ze op eenennegentigjarige leeftijd.”

— Van ellende naar succes: het verhaal van een kind, p.12

A Memoir of Resilience and Healing

This book is a testament to survival. Lawrence shares a vivid account of his early life — from a troubled childhood in New Jersey and California, marked by family violence and devastating loss, to the challenges of adulthood where he faced betrayal, heartbreak, and personal setbacks. Yet, even through the darkest chapters, he never gave up on himself.

The memoir captures how he learned to rebuild his life piece by piece — finding purpose in unexpected places, from working odd jobs to eventually serving his community as a school crossing guard. Lawrence doesn’t shy away from the painful parts of his journey: the loss of his siblings, the struggles with his parents, and the heartbreak of losing children. But through it all, he shows how the human spirit can endure and even thrive.

What stands out most is the emotional honesty of this book. Lawrence doesn’t paint himself as a hero or a victim — just a man who endured, learned, and chose to keep going. His story is proof that even a life that starts in pain can still bloom into something beautiful and meaningful.

The Voice Behind the Story

Walter Paul Lawrence writes with the straightforward honesty of someone who has lived through life’s hardest lessons. He doesn’t preach or tell readers what to do. Instead, he offers his story as an example of what can be done when you refuse to let the past define you.

Now in his late seventies, Lawrence works as a crossing guard in Citrus County, Florida, managing traffic around school zones — a role he calls both challenging and rewarding. He describes this book as his “finale” and a “catharsis,” written to inspire teenagers, parents, and families to make better choices and set positive examples for future generations. His storytelling is deeply human, vulnerable, and filled with hard-earned wisdom.

A Journey Worth Reading

Van ellende naar succes: het verhaal van een kind is more than just a memoir — it’s a story of resilience, forgiveness, and the power of perseverance. It’s a must-read for anyone who’s ever faced adversity and wondered if life could still turn out beautifully. Walter Paul Lawrence’s journey invites you to believe that it can.