Child Abuse

Before late 1989, I was stupid and just believed that since I had the ideal family relationship at home where my sisters and I were thoroughly loved and treated extremely well and that my parents loved each other more with every passing day and NEVER would have done anything to harm each other in any way, that all kids went home to the same kind of life.

That notion was cracked, broken into a million tiny pieces and then blown away once SRS came into our home and requested that Stan and I become foster parents. Never again would I have that fairy tale image of all families in our world of today or tomorrow.

Many kids are beaten to a pulp, screamed at, torn apart mentally and emotionally and some, both boys and girls, are sexually molested by the people who brought them into this world of ours. These children did not ask to be born and they definitely did not want to be put into the hell that they are subjected to.

Through the years that we were foster parents and since, we learned so very many ugly and disgusting secrets of some of the sweetest children out there. Secrets that more often than not, will keep those kids from living happy and productive adult lives. And, Folks, this doesn't just happen in families that are poor and unrespectable. Even the children of the wealthiest and seemingly "best" families are subjected to it.

I urge you to watch or set your DVRs to record today's episode of DR. PHIL on CBS. It airs from 2-3:00 CST. You're going to have the "opportunity" to look into the lives of just a few of these young people's day to day lives. Believe me, your life and your outlook on others' lives will never EVER quite be the same. (If you miss the day's episode, you may be able to find it on a sister channel tonight. Check your TV Guide.)

Don't just watch this for shock value. Watch it so that you may be able to learn how YOU can help in this constantly growing epidemic in the United States. Right now when our economy is so messed up, many more children are being abused than at any other time in American history. Maybe then, you'll have a better understanding of why some kids are the way that they are today. Maybe you'll even see a bit about your own self. One thing about it, you'll not be able to walk away from this show untouched. It will definitely linger in your mind and in your heart...

I STRONGLY urge you to watch this episode by yourself or in the company of adults ONLY! No child should view this--EVER... Our children are forced to grow up too quickly and lose their innocense way to soon anyhow, even in the best of circumstances.

VLE-B