Frida and Me: Art, and One Woman’s Triumph Over PTSD

“I cried when I read this book. Eli Weintraub grabs you with a memoir that reads like a novel, and just doesn’t let go. This is a powerful true story!” – Connie Shelton, USA Today bestselling author

In 1976 Nancy Weintraub was a rebellious teen, a child of the 60s, a free spirit. She and a friend set out, against her parents’ wishes, to spend a year in San Miguel de Allende attending art school and perfecting their Spanish. Nancy was in heaven as she experienced international travel and the art scene, but a horrific accident in a lonely Mexican desert took away her life as she knew it. As her family, friends, many doctors, and complete strangers made heroic efforts to save her life, many of her hopes were dashed forever.

Unknowingly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Nancy spent the next 10 years running from one bad situation to the next. Trying to reinvent herself, she changed her name to Eli. Her healing really began after learning about the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, whose life mirrored her own in so many ways, and meeting an art therapist. Through art therapy, she came to realize that Nancy had died in the wreckage on that rain-slick road, and she didn’t know the person who had emerged. It seemed her free-spirited gypsy self was gone. Gradually, the artist and writer Eli emerged from the shell of Nancy, and through art she found her way back to life and love.

Frida and Me takes the reader through this remarkable woman’s journey, from the giddy days of her once-in-a-lifetime adventure, through the darkest abyss imaginable, putting her on a new path toward helping others recognize art as a tool to heal. Her inspiring presentations have helped trauma victims and clinicians alike, and readers of her story cannot help but be affected by her courage and determination.

As she states in the Prologue, “This book is about that journey and my proven experience in the use of art as a tool to help overcome the overwhelming patterns of PTSD. I literally have art and art therapy to thank for saving my life.”

Praise for Frida and Me:

“An inherently absorbing, singularly fascinating, completely compelling, and truly extraordinary memoir that is as deftly crafted as it is impressively candid.” – Midwest Book Review

“This book brought you through the pain and the healing that someone would go through from experiencing PTSD. It showed how it affected family, her, her emotional and physical well being. It inspires a desire to dig deep and find your own healing.” – 5 stars, Amazon review

“Powerful read! This memoir was impressive. You always think that people wouldn't tell what they have gone through in their life and I can relate to a few of Nancy/Eli's situations. Very powerful read and I wanted to just sit and read it until I was done, but I couldn't read for 24 hours straight. Very informative, very intuitive. I wanted to just grab this 18 year old girl and hold onto her for every day and help her through the troubles she endured. I now have a little bit more insight into things I have gone through myself and can relate in a very small part. Thank you for sharing all your life endeavors.” – 5 stars on Amazon

“Struggles and successes—Oh my gosh, what an emotional, intense story this is. Nancy's then Eli's life experiences are so intense. I felt the strength even through the struggles Eli went through. I loved reading Eli's descriptions of her paintings. Her social experiences as she went through her facets of healing were interesting. I even loved reading the epilog. This story is so moving and I am so glad I took the opportunity to read it.” –5 stars

“I just read this book in one sitting. I cried through parts of it...This woman has been through a lot. It is a must read.” – Jaxon, 5 star review

“This is a must-read! I thoroughly enjoyed the poignant story of Nancy's (Eli) journey as a young adult traveling through Mexico and honing her skills in art and language. I was mesmerized by all the fun adventure and it's no secret, but tragedy strikes. Heartbreaking for any family to go through, this story is so captivating that you will feel as devastated for everyone involved as though you were right there. This lady was one strong person to go through half of what she did and I found myself cheering her on throughout. Anyone who is dealing with or has overcome trauma / PTSD should definitely read this story. It would also benefit any care provider or trauma counselor. That's another thing I really loved about the book-- I loved the art, in full color, that Eli shares... fantastic! Do yourself a favor and read this story today!” – 5 stars, Barnes & Noble reviewer

“A must-read! Eli reveals her early life, months in Mexico studying art, and then the trauma of near death after a horrible bus accident and the physical and emotional damage that resulted. She is courageous in revealing her deep soul searching experiences and years of healing, ultimately with the help of her compassionate counselor and art therapist.” – Judy Wright, MS, Program Manager of the University of New Mexico’s Employee Health Promotion Program (retired)

“I cried when I read this book. Eli Weintraub grabs you with a memoir that reads like a novel, and just doesn’t let go. What an amazing journey, and what fortitude this young woman called upon, to find her life again after she nearly lost it. This is a powerful story!” – Connie Shelton, USA Today bestselling author

“An astonishing story of art’s abilities to heal physical and psychic trauma. The artwork and accompanying narrative of Frida and Me carry the reader through the artist/author’s difficult journey following a horrific bus accident. The account courageously highlights the witness of art in service of the soul.” – Linney Wix, Ph.D., ATR-BC, Professor Emerita

“I was moved by Eli Weintraub Maurx’s story and the courageous healing work that she undertook, using art. She was able to trust the honesty and depth of her powerful images, and my hope is that her story will inspire others to use creative expression in their healing journeys.” —Deborah Schroder, ATR-BC, LPAT

“Frida and Me movingly describes the process Eli and her therapist undertook in their work together, using art to enable Eli to assemble the pieces of her shattered self that were beyond words. The art Eli created during her healing journey is beautifully displayed in the book, helping readers better understand her inner experience as she processed her traumas. Eli poignantly describes the confusion, disorientation and disconnection from self a person with PTSD lives with, and how lost they feel when they don't understand what has happened to them. I found this personal and inspiring account beautifully written and hard to put down [and] will recommend Frida and Me to clients, their families and therapists.” —Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., director, Parnell Institute for EMDR, and author of Rewiring the Addicted Brain