Meet Christiane Scarpino
Hello! I’m Christiane Scarpino—though my friends call me Christi. I am originally from Mt. Vernon, NY, and am a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and a retired Massage Therapist. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Douglass College of Rutgers University and my Master’s Degree from Purdue University. I no longer work full time, but I occupy my time with my writing, painting, hydroponic gardening and dog training.
In 1977, I survived a terrorist bombing at the Mobil Oil Corporation Employment Office—a day that altered the course of my life forever. The trauma greatly impacted my daily life to the extent that there were days when I was not able to function. Back then, PTSD wasn’t established as a trauma diagnosis, and there were few options for services to help me. Learning to navigate and advocate for my healing became my mission, and it’s now my goal to educate others about PTSD and its profound effects on daily life.
Coming Soon – My New Book!
Missing Pieces:
A Terrorist Attack Survivor’s Memoir of Trauma, Resilience and Healing
Missing Pieces is a deeply moving memoir that chronicles her survival of a devastating 1977 terrorist bombing of the Mobil Oil Building in New York City when she was just 21 years old. This gripping account sheds light on the long-term effects of trauma and the journey to reclaim one’s life while navigating the challenges of PTSD—a condition that was barely understood at the time.
After the bombing, Christiane faced three years of relentless FBI and NYPD interrogations and testified in a federal murder trial against a terrorist. With raw honesty, she shares her struggle with PTSD symptoms, including flashbacks, dissociation, memory loss, and nightmares, along with the physical and emotional toll they took. Through her journey, she developed coping mechanisms to survive in a society that often stigmatizes mental health challenges.
Missing Pieces is not just a story of survival but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It provides a powerful perspective on the hidden battles faced by trauma survivors and the extraordinary strength required to overcome adversity. This memoir is a must-read for those seeking inspiration, understanding of PTSD, or an inside look at the profound impact of trauma on every facet of life.
Perfect for readers interested in true survival stories, mental health awareness, and personal resilience, Missing Pieces delivers an unforgettable message of hope and healing.
Federal Murder Trial Testimony
This is a sketch of me testifying at the Federal Murder trial of Haydee Marie Beltran Torres in 1980. Torres is the person who left the bomb in the Mobil Office. The image is courtesy of the University of Virginia Law Library from the Dengrove Collection of sketches associated with the Torres trial. Torres Trial | Archives & Special Collections