“The nightmare is over,” for the three Cleveland women--that was said on the news last night.

[raccoon]

But it’s not over.

The women are free from those awful men, thank goodness. But those years will continue to haunt them. I hope those three women, and the little 6-year-old girl, get some good counseling.

I remember studying in sociology about extreme social isolation of children. Two famous cases were Anna and Isabelle. Both were born to unwed mothers and had very little contact with other people until discovered by authorities. Isabelle was able to lead a fairly normal life afterwards. Anna made some progress but by no means was able to lead a normal life. She suffered from malnutrition as well, which probably made it worse for her.

[LiberalEsto]

1. You're right, it's not over

It's probable that these women and the child could experience various forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, such as recurring nightmares, panic attacks and flashbacks. They were mistreated horribly, and we don't know the extent of the horrors they lived through. They will need a great deal of help. Each may react differently to her years of terror, depending on how they were raised, their levels of self-confidence, and how they are treated now by family members.

From what I've read, it seems former victims Elizabeth Smart and Jamie Dugard possess inner strengths that helped them through their own horrible kidnappings. Maybe these two can help the Cleveland women recover.

[riverwalker]

2. Michele Knight

Her story is haunting and disturbing me on a deep level. She was the oldest of the victims, and is still in the hospital, very thin and weak, she is not doing well. Refusing to see her family except her brother. Because she was an adult (20) when she went missing in August 2002, she was not even placed on the Ohio missing persons list. Not even listed as missing, no one in authority even looked for her, just a few flyers put out by the family.
This woman was born "mentally challenged" and I don't know exactly what her diagnosis was, family says she was "slow" and "easily confused and disoriented". Reports say that her mother was negligent and abusive, and the brother no longer even has contact with the mother he said "he hates her". Michelle had a child while still in school, then dropped out, later lost custody of the child which was so upsetting to her, they thought that was why she "ran away". Basically, there is NO family support here. The interview with her brother, the only family she wants to see, indicated the family has problems. The only photo that has been released is her high school yearbook photo. It's like she never existed. Her life was tragic even before she was abducted, imprisoned and tortured by a psychopath for 10 years. There are no words for what her life has been up to now, no words. I think Amanda and Gina have loving supportive families that will help them heal. Amanda especially seems to have an inner inner strength, I think the love of her daughter is what led her to break out that door. But what will happen to Michele? She does not even have any place to return to. Where is home? Who will love her? Has this woman ever ever known love, in any form? This has to be one of the most tragic stories I have ever heard, and I have heard many.

[raccoon]

4. "Basically, there is NO family support here. " You said that right.

How much support a person has makes such a big difference in how they recover--or don't recover--from physical and emotional trauma.

(no shit, Sherlock, I know..)

[FedUpWithIt All]

3. These women are not returning as 20, 16 and 14 yr olds.

That will be a real shock to the families and friends who may have expectations of their loved ones, as they were, returning to them. These women were not held in a type of suspended animation and their will likely be a real transition as expectations give way to reality. This is compounded when you consider there may be long lasting physical complications resulting from the treatment these women received. It is being reported that Ms. Knight has hearing loss.

My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered through this all.