Think about what is it like for an abused child who has never experienced love, and carries years of trauma and high anxiety into all relationships and life problems every day.
Punishment for trauma triggered behavior is normal. I’m used to this in school, with my peers and my own self-doubt.
This child early on, experienced the loss of a loved parent that was replaced by one suffering from substance abuse. This child never had a meal at home, was reliant on school lunch and struggling to find money to afford a meal every day.
Think about being locked away as a child, with no one to help, and no escape.
At a very young age I became the caretaker for my younger brother and sisters, trying to meet their basic needs while I was being hit, kept hungry, demeaned and lied about (for years).
Finally removed from the home forever, but not healed. The invisible scars we carry remain.
Life with our painful childhood memories, triggered behaviors and habits in this world is terribly difficult to manage.
Healing from a broken past is difficult.
No more punishment please.
This edited request from a current KARA student volunteer asked to remain anonymous.
KARA reports on the issues of invisible children
This article submitted by Former CASA Guardian Ad Litem Mike Tikkanen