Quote From: sllynn
I am amazed at how many comments have been made so far on a show that has yet to air. How quickly people are to judge......to assume that I never sought out help for my son before this point......to go so far as to call me a monster.
The truth of the matter is that I had no recollection of my own abuse until 6 years ago.....at which time I did cut the ties with my father.......unfortunately the damage had already been done.
As far as reaching out for help.......I exhausted every resource I could find in my area. My son has been seeing counsellors, therapists, and psychiatrists since he was in grade one. We tried group therapy and even had numerous appointments with the principle of the school he was attending at the time.
Turning to the Dr Phil show was simply one more effort on my part to seek out more help.......help that I had been seeking for the past 6 years.
It is sad that the level of understanding is as such.......there are so many agencies out there that help people with addiction, anger management, domestic abuse and so forth.......however when it comes to sexual abuse I have found it more difficult to find the help required......especially for a child. If you look into some of the amazing programs for children like I have, one of the things that they make very clear is that they will help your child so long as he or she hasn't acted out in unacceptable sexual ways......
I recently had an invitation to enroll my son in such a program but after sending in the application, I was told they don't accept a child who has a sexual history such as my sons.
Along with seeking out help, I also have been to the police. I have filled out a written statement as well as a video interview........no action has been taken on the part of the authorities. I continue to feel like I keep hitting a brick wall.....however, that has not stopped my quest for help, healing and justice.
When the shows are aired this week, I hope that people will be able to come away more educated and with more understanding rather than accusations, anger, and finger pointing.
Not one of us can really know exactly what we would do if we were in someone else's shoes until we actually walk in them.
Sherry Lynn, i was in tears along with you because i understood your pain. i was sexually abused by my brother and although i remembered it, it was kind of on a back burner in my brain and i was numb to it until recently. I know how you feel and know that you are truly in pain. I can see you forgive your mom because she has truly begun to see how she erred in her ways. My mom still hasn't and believes she did the right thing (which was essentially nothing except try to get help for him). My heart was torn in two watching you break down like that and just know that Al has no rights to see your son. Do not worry about his feelings at all (cuz as caring people i know we have those fleeting moments). You need to coninue to do what you are doing and protect your son. Al was smiling and laughing....how could he do that even if he did to you what he did "only" once. truth is, you can almost just say, you know what? I don't care about the other two times, you did it to me as a newborn baby and that is enough for me to keep away. Stay strong girl. I wish you the best and i feel a connection to you though we obviously don't know each other. It's just that i am going through my crap with the sexual abuse now. Interesting timing. you did not do ANYTHING WRONG! You're an excellent mom, woman so be strong. Sorry for all that you are going through and continue to go through. Peace.
