A Memoir of Survival, Faith, and Becoming
From trauma to triumph-this is Maria's story.
Maria's journey begins in the shadows of childhood trauma, shaped by abuse, betrayal, shame and silence. But through the chaos of broken relationships, a turbulent marriage, six pregnancies, motherhood, and soul-deep searching, something extraordinary begins to emerge: transformation.
With raw honesty and unwavering faith, Out Flew the Butterfly traces one woman's fight to reclaim her voice, her worth, and her spirit. It is about Maria's God-given ability to rise above it all, to apologise to herself for bearing so much self-condemnation, and to finally step out and close the door behind her.
Maria is unexpectedly reborn, surrounded by support and genuine love. Through the power of prayer, she gains a revelation of who God truly is and how His love and healing touch brings peace, restoration, and strength.
This is a memoir about survival, forgiveness, and divine transformation. Let Maria's story remind you: even from the deepest pain, something beautiful can take flight.
About the Author
Alison Ryan-Chase is the author of the poetry collection Downloads From Heaven and the memoir Out Flew the Butterfly, her second book. A mother of five, affectionately known as "Granny Ali" to her grandchildren, Alison is also a proud mother-in-law of two.
Married and divorced twice, Alison's life has been marked by both trials and triumphs. After suffering a stroke in 1999 that left her without speech, cognitive function, or motor skills, she defied the odds by teaching herself to talk, walk, and return to her greatest passion: cooking.
Despite enduring ill health, the pain of marital breakdowns, and the devastating loss of her beloved brother in 2012, Alison went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health-one of her proudest accomplishments.
A professional chef with over 35 years of experience, Alison is now the personal chef behind the fine dining business Fooderella, where she continues to share her love of food and resilience with every dish
