There comes a write that really takes your breath away. Last night I was reading several blogs and I came across on good friend on here and I truly was amazed with what she had wrote within here allowance I am going to place it within here, lets see if I can do this and this write I found to be very inspirational to say the least. Here is here story and I will as well place down her link.
http://amorevita2.multiply.com/journal/item/53/Taken_back_to_a_time_and_place_of_pain_remembered......
This story (see link below) was recently aired and it was if I had been taken back in time to a place that I thought I would never have to re-visit ever again in my lifetime.
StoryLink: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/02/eveningnews/main6260271.shtml
The similarities in this story are shockingly alike, and consequently, have triggered a memory I thought was long forgotten. The only (one) dissimilarity is that thankfully; my brother and I were not adopted by (any of) our abusive foster parents. This particular story (of the four boys) has been on my mind for days now, and I just cannot seem to quell the need to write about it.
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Paul and Maryann:
Paul was eleven years old, and I was eight. (Or thereabouts) One day, Child Board of Welfare came to our school (our clothing packed in suitcases waiting in the car), and took us directly from school to a new foster home. We were not told the reason for removing us from our current foster home, only that we were going to a new home. Well, by this time, we were pretty used to being bounced-around from one foster home to another, and so it had become part of our young existence.
I can remember upon arriving at our new home, and our new foster parents greeting us with a smile and hugging us. Our caseworker apparently felt satisfied, and so off she went leaving us to our “new life.” This foster couple had two children of their own (daughter and a son) whom I think were in their pre-teen years. Except for one memory, I do not have any other memories of interacting with them, which, in retrospect, is kind of strange. Later on, as an adult, and taking into consideration how my brother and I were treated, I now believe that this (non-interaction) was intentional. After all, we were not related, came from a broken-home, and therefore were inappropriate playmates for their children. Not good enough, clear and simple!
This is the (only) memory I recall of interacting with their kids. One day, my brother (Paul) and I were outside playing, and their son began taunting us. Paul picked up a stone and threw it at him, and this kid ran inside the house crying and screaming. Both his parents came running outside and began yelling at Paul. I was then told to sit still on the outside steps, and to not move from there. The lady went back into the house, and the man yanked my brother by his arm, and dragged him into the garage. I heard what sounded like a muffled screaming, so I sneaked over to the garage, and to my horror, I saw my brother hanging upside down by his feet, with a rag stuffed in his mouth, and this man was beating him with a belt. As I ran away scared and crying, I could hear Paul screaming in agony for what seemed like an eternity. I spent many years of my life haunted by that sound, and by that image of my brother hanging upside down by his feet. Just thinking of it now, is no less painful then when it happened. This was my brother and I loved him. As children, we were all we had.
From that day forward, our meals were served to us on the basement steps, while the family ate theirs together at the dinner table. From that day forward we were restricted to the basement and not allowed to watch television, and/or join in activities with the rest of the family. Our meals became sparser and sparser, and much less frequent. I remember feeling so hungry as I could smell the aroma of the food being cooked upstairs in the kitchen. They would beat us for the slightest infraction, so we pretty much learned to just do what we were told, and speak only when we were spoken to. The only saving grace was when the family would all go out together, and leave us home alone in the basement. We WAITED for this, as this was our chance to get something to eat. We were too scared to take anything from the kitchen, so we would rifle-through the outside garbage cans looking for leftover scraps. We were always so hungry! (I can still picture the haunted look on my brother’s face, which today, I recognize as the look of hunger).
God intervened. One of their next-door neighbors saw us going through the garbage, and evidently called the authorities, and so once again, we were removed from school, and taken directly from (school) to yet another foster home.
How is this allowed to happen, then and now? Where were the school authorities in all this? Could they not see that my brother and I were mal-nourished, and dressed in raggedy clothing? Could the school authorities not see the obvious signs that those four boys were being starved literally to death? In our case, since we were not adopted and thus, under the jurisdiction of Child Welfare, where in the heck were the caseworkers during all this abuse?
My heart is filled with amazing joy and such a feeling of triumph for these boys who, for the last six years, have been living in a loving home with all the food, love, happy smiles, and laughter that they need! Today, they look absolutley wonderful, and completely healthy! Their years of abuse and starvation are over. With lots of care, lots of love, lots of time, and counseling, their scars will begin to heal, and their nightmare will become dimmer and dimmer in their memories. Just as I haven’t, they will never forget, but they can, and will, go on to happy and fulfilled lives. God is good!
I don’t know about you, but I can say, without one second of hesitation, that I would literally give-up my life in the protection of a child. Our children are our most precious resource, and we MUST BE THEIR VOICE, when they cannot speak for themselves. We need to protect, nourish, and cultivate each and every child, and provide him/her with a safe and secure environment so that each child may grow to his or her full potential. It is our God-given responsibility!
The story of those boys has a happy and heartwarming ending! I owe my life today, to God, and to God, alone! It is through His Guidance, His Amazing Love and Grace, and His strength within me, that my story had a happy ending, too!
“That was then, this is now!”
Footnote:
I often write on the subject of child abuse because not only does it touch me personally, but, I have, and continue, to stand-up and advocate against child abuse. It needs to be even more out in the open than it is…. we are the VOICE for all the children in this world who are unable to speak-out for themselves. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am very passionate about this subject and will spend my life continuing to speak-out against any and all forms of child abuse. May God bless you as He has, and continues to bless my life today!
The above is not my own it's one if I may say again that I had read last night by a blogging friend by the name or Maryann.
ReplyDeleteOh God.
ReplyDeleteIt never occured in me that there still savage people living* around [pardon me for my words] but children are gifts from God, and they should be treated as such. They should be given proper care entitled them. Nourished them and let them feel they are wanted and loved. Regardless of whatever the story behind their origin.
hugs tight :)
Hi Maritess, last night I did my share of reading and literally she gave me the ok to place this on my blog and it's really a story of endurance. And not one of fabrication. I found that it really had something much different to what I have usually read. And she grew ahead thereafter. I don't ever place someone elses right on my own blog but this one took me while I was reading it last night.
ReplyDeleteIt was a an endearing writes and a good one at that. It moved me to tears Jack.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to imagine that in this era, we still see such stories. I am glad they were saved from their abusers. At least, we can see that some people do react when they see something that does not seem right, like a child going through garbage to eat. But how can others be so gullible to not realize that children in such condition are not mistreated. Think about it, one child having a disease is one thing, but 4 in the same family!! Come on! Nobody ever scratched the surface to find out what was lying under. Amazing how we can close eyes on such abuse. Thanks for the 9-1-1 lines which make it easier for people to report events that they witness because I am sure many would not go out of their way if they had to drive to the police station or look for the phone number. Children are helpless and yes, we have to be their voices. In their name, I say thanks for bringing up the subject.
ReplyDelete2,000 children disappear every day .most of which are never found. evil does walk this earth. children is everyones responsibility, biology does not make a parent. Love does
ReplyDeleteSad. Incomprehensible. There are so many signs to detect child abuse. Not just in ragged clothes, bruises or obvious malnutrition, The attitude of a child says a lot.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if teachers, neighbours, etc. are just too busy with their own lives to care? How can they not care? Well, obviously, some don't.
Often, children don't even speak of the horrible things that are happening to them; they don't even realize these things are abnormal. Incest is one of the major things, & the innocent child, violated, not knowing better...blame themselves. This defenseless, diminutive feeling often follows people throughout their lives.
I hope this blog will motivate everyone to be far more sensitive to the signs of abuse.
g-d bless them all!
ReplyDeleteChild abuse is probably the only thing that truly angers me. I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone can hurt or mistreat a child. I am in the process of becoming a foster parent myself and have worked with a couple of organisations here, helping abused children. The red tape here is quite involved and its amazes me that people with mean intentions can still slip through ..... So sad ......
ReplyDeleteSadly the authorities let down far too many children and it would seem that many people who do pick up on various signs, prefer not to get involved, which is beyond me. Especially teachers and people closely connected.
Childhood is so precious and I just wish more people would speak out even if its only a suspicion .... children have a right to be loved and looked after and it is our duty to see that they are.
I think it is important to talk about these things and point out the signs. Those of us who could not treat others this way do not even imagine it.
ReplyDeleteJack, awareness is the only way.closed doors can be scary for a child. Children need to feel safe and loved always, A very sad story for those boys.
ReplyDelete..btw ..yes Childhood is precious..agree with Lynne
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read the story , I'm sure there are thousands of similar ones in real life all over the world unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of this happening to children in such a systematic and heartless way does make my blood boil--this is the source of much of our crimes and addiction problems in society.
ReplyDeleteThe people described in these stories are beyond just being angry, bad parents---they are sadists who deserve to rot in prison! And indeed where where the authorities and the other adults who should have been looking in on these kids?
I couldn't agree with you more. I think the penalties for abusers should be a lot harsher ... In my mind they are the worse kind of criminal because they prey on the helpless ... little souls who have absolutely no way of defending themselves ... If I had it my way ... I would classify them as killers ....
ReplyDeleteHere in the UK, many an abuser has received nothing more than a suspended sentence ... which riles me no end ..... its usually due to the fact that there is not enough evidence and human rights!!!
I reckon if these cases were left to the public, rather than the authorities .... Justice would be served!
As the writing says, we must all be advocates for our precious little ones. It still happens today. I know that from teaching and having to report suspicions. At least now the school authorities can be charged if they DON"T report suspicions. The new rules also say it must be private and the teacher, or whomever has the suspicions, and not turned over to the administration. That was a new rule about 10 years ago. The sad thing for me was children taken away and then returned shortly and back in my classroom with the same horrors in their personal lives. I've cried over some of these. It is a very complex problem. But the bottom line is that we need to be vigilant and willing to phone the confidential services to report abuse. The abuse can be complex too as it can take insidious and sly forms.
ReplyDeleteDoug the day that I wrote this as I have been off for a few days but I had just left your write and was reading around. I can't stand this behavior as well, yet with this lady she beat the odds of I forget here ending quote to be honest within you as I just logged on here but she it really was an eye opener to me that night which was Friday. The people that were described truly was something that was really something all to different to me as I truly thought this person Maryann whom wrote it should literally right and submit here own story on this. My intention was not to promote as I had requested if I could place this on my blog as I have done this not that often - however it was a message I thought that was truly one that was worth the attempt. And this still does happen in today's time even up here in Canada. Yet what makes this all happen where youth are subjected to this - I can't imagine it in my wildest imagination. Yet in reading it I found that it was something all too inspiring as how she managed to work out of it. Some do and some never don't.
ReplyDeleteThis does say allot, as it's perhaps that inconvenient truth of life Tee. This was very atypical of how I blog but I am glad I wrote it - I am not trying to solve the world but there is a meaning within her story and outcome. Everything you have said is so very true.
ReplyDeleteThe attitude is what I found all to provoking Lucija. If I had to tag this one, I am there would be many tags that would go with it. But the story within itself is one that was one of something that rendered and went beyond. She seemingly aspired by way of her faith. I think that says something perhaps. Abuse is abuse and there is no need for it yet it happens. The reasons are many but there is not good reason for these acts to take place. Yet there is no good reason for committing acts as such. I look at here title, and yet I know that she has surpassed this era within her life. That is obvious on her blog.
ReplyDeleteSad but a reality, you can't understand it as it's not within your own sphere but you do understand as I read here how there is in some manner in these times where things can be done. We can solve or find everything. However Lynne thank you as this is truly a duty of mankind. It is sad, yet it's an eye opener that when I saw it I literally could not believe she was writing within such an authentic manner. Yet she has a positive message within it all. I do read many blogs and when I came to hers back last Thursday I literally made a request to her to place it on the following Friday within the eve I had a message indicated that all is fine as I am configured much the same as she is as I don't send out to everyone. And it was apparent to her from her observance that there was some good folk here. I guess it has to do with trust.
ReplyDeleteNote could not agree with all that you have wrote here.
children are a precious gift. adoreable pic :)
ReplyDeleteNot mine but this was a friend that is from NYC. And yes children are adorable...
ReplyDeleteI've read some of Dave Pelzers books. They are about the horrific things he endured through childhood, yet his amazing and victorious spirit . I cannot understand how anyone could abuse a child..there is no understanding to it.
ReplyDeleteChildren are precious