Childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

[Duppers]

"How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime | Nadine Burke Harris"

Dr. Harris makes a very compelling case that children must be helped.

Some of these children now separated from their parents will never be reunited. These children will suffer in some ways for the rest of their lives. This did NOT have to happen!

[onecaliberal]

1. In her book, The Deepest Well, there are in depth

Examples and stories. It’s both heartbreaking and enlightening. If only everyone could understand.

In edit: She and a few colleagues came up
With a rating system for children who would come to her clinic in San Francisco to determine the likelihood of future health issues. The rating system has since been picked up by other practitioners and healthcare providers.

[The Genealogist]

2. I can speak from experience

I lost my mother to cancer when I was 8. She had a stage 4 cancer when they found it, there was not much they could do to help her. The loneliness, the sense of emptiness, the depression and tears. 36 years later it sill affects me.

There wasn't a way to avoid my losing a parent. But this government-sponsored kidnapping, there was ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY no reason for this. This is cruelty, pure evil, and there is no excuse for it. People should be going to jail over this.

[sandensea]

3. You seem to have handled it exceptionally well, Genealogist - and there's a lot to be said for that.

Of course, not everyone is that strong. And many of these children can indeed be expected to have ongoing emotional, even physical, issues for years to come.

That anyone would deliberately inflict this on small children, just because they're brown and because it lets him score political points with his Archie Bunkers, is a vicious sin.

[The Genealogist]

4. Thank you

I think my own situation as a child taught me early on about how painful and cruel life can be, and made me more sensitive to what those around me are going through. And it makes me angry that a government, which should be benevolent and help those who can't help themselves like these kids, are the ones responsible for this torture.

[sandensea]

5. I'm sorry to hear that.

You're a truly great person for staying so grounded, and for sharing.

While my childhood was no bed of roses (lots of ups and downs, mostly economic in nature), it was certainly nowhere near that difficult. And yet, I find it difficult to talk about even now.

Thanks again for your insights, and All the Best!

[The Genealogist]

6. All the best to you as well!

[Control-Z]

7. I started writing a response to the OP

but changed my mind. I came back to read more of this thread and thought for a moment that I accidentally posted my original response.

The beginning of your post was so much like what I had written - right down to my "experience", the "loneliness" and the emptiness. That it never went away.

I was 7. My mom died from an abortion.

You said everything I was going to say. How could anyone intentionally do this to a child? It is just plain cruel.

ETA: I'm so sorry for what you've been through.

[The Genealogist]

9. I'm sorry you too had to endure that loss

I'd not wish that cocktail of negative feelings on anyone.

[Duppers]

8. I'm so sorry.

I know your experiences have sensitized you far more than the average person.

I've a friend who lost both parents by the age of 11. She has more physical and psychological problems than anyone I know.

I, along with my brother, experienced child abuse from a violent father and lived with a mother who has been in total denial all her life. It's more devastating to those of us who have suffered because we know the devastating pain of childhood.

[The Genealogist]

10. In my case I still had my father

He was a typical man of his generation, stoic and stiff upper lip. He did his best, I know. But to have lost both parents like your friend, like these kids have, is even harder to imagine. Completely alone, at the mercy of complete strangers and in strange places. The fear and unhappiness must be overwhelming.

I didn't experience child abuse, but my partner did. His father is a pretty cruel man, selfish, childish even. It breaks to hear him talk about it. Luckily, his grandparents lived down the street, and he had a place he could run to when it was hardest for him, but he still bears the scars. My heart goes out for you, and him, and anyone who suffered abuse at the hand of a parent.

[smirkymonkey]

11. I see this everywhere. It is so obvious. Damaged children become damaged adults and

it's very hard to undo. It's so important to get a good, healthy. loving start in life. It makes you so much more resilient later on.