| Letters and Words of support 3 additional messages of support August 17,2004 I wish every success
for your endeavour! In his article The Vulnerable Prenate, William R. Emerson, Ph.D, writes: "The majority of adults with problems in aggression learn that they were unwanted at the time of discovery, but many of them also learn that they were exposed to other forms of aggression during the pre- and perinatal period. Some common forms of aggression are warfare, gang fights, domestic violence, conception through rape, physical or sexual abuse of parents or siblings, annihilative energies, intrauterine toxicities, and/or abortion attempts. Prenates who experience one or more of these aggressive conditions are at risk for manifesting aggression and violence, and the greater the number of conditions, the greater the likelihood of aggression and violence" (www.birthpsychology.com/ healing/point2.html). These negative influences also impede the development
of bonding, the emotional attachment which is first formed during the gestation
period and in infancy between the child and his mother. This early attachment
will normally soon include his father and, by transference, other people, perhaps
the entire humanity. (see: David B. Chamberlain, Ph.D., Bonding, A Simple Wonder,
www.birthpsychology.com/birthscene/bonding2.html.) David Chamberlain PhD, one of the founding
members of the Association of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health, writes:
"We have acquired the conviction that any violence which greets a baby in
the womb and around the time of birth is a deep form of conditioning which acts
like a template for relationships. This conditioning may well affect a person's
physical and mental health for decades to come" (see www.birthpsychology.com/violence/chamberlain1.html,
and www.birthpsychology.com/violence/verny.html). Stanislav Grof explains succinctly the important difference between such acting out and a therapeutic, liberating discharge: "Witnessing scenes of destruction and acting out of violent unconscious impulses, whether it occurs on the individual scale or collectively in wars and revolutions, does not result in healing and transformation as would an inner confrontation with these elements in a therapeutic context. The experience is not generated by our own unconscious, lacks the element of deep introspection, and does not lead to insights. The situation is fully externalised and connection with the deep dynamics of the psyche is missing. And naturally, there is no therapeutic intention and motivation for change and transformation. Thus the goal of the underlying birth fantasy, which represent the deepest driving force of such violent events, is not achieved, even if the war or revolution has been brought to a successful closure. The most triumphant external victory does not deliver what was expected and hoped for – an inner sense of emotional liberation and psychospiritual rebirth" (Psychology of the Future, p. 309)." ------------------------------------ August
16, 2004 I am a graduate student in psychology at the University of Toronto. My mother was given up at birth (she is likely from aboriginal ancestry) and placed under the care of the state until she was adopted. I can speak from experience about the intergenerational transmission of trauma (childhood abuse and later on psychiatric abuse). At 27 years old, I\'m still working through and healing from the impact of these experiences... but I was gifted with an ability to learn and met teachers who have, often unknowingly, provided me with the mentorship that kept me going. In my training working with young adults in distress, I continue to come across horror stories and to witness individuals\' struggle in getting better. The path towards wholeness is a challenging journey that many do not complete as you ackolwedge. My training also offers me opportunity to meet many inspiring individuals who use their priviledged position to benefit others. One of the person I had the opportunity to meet is Prof. Graham Hingangarao Smith, head of the Maori Education Department at the University of Auckland who presented at the University of Toronto last year and discussed the efforts of Maori people to bring healing into their community and reclaim their voice/language/culture/history and ways of healing. http://www.auckland.ac.nz/cir_faculties/index.cfm?action=display_page&page_title=TeWananga_GrahamSmith I bring him up because it is my belief and experience that the deep healing and transformation that will positively impact future generation need to occur not only in families and in the way the states intervenes to respond to abandonment/neglect/abuse, but also in the education and health care systems. Current practices need to give way to counter-hegemonic ones that recognize various ways of knowing and healing and that are anchored in respect, equality, freedom from oppression, love, and integrity. All necessary ingredients to individual recovery and social transformation. I would like to respectfully suggest that in your work and research, that you pay special attention to and support those healing initiatives that are identified by survivors themselves as having helped in their recovery. Too often socially sanctionned \"experts\" are blind to the effectiveness of these initiatives for political or economical reasons and do not inform individuals of alternative to their \"treatments\" (e.g., I met with many teenagers survivor of sexual/physical abuse who were drugged and never provided with a space to talk about what they had gone through and connect with others with the same experience and be validated). Grassroot work such as healing circles, restorative justice community arts-based project, and integration of traditional and culturally-sensitive ways of healing are often very effective ways of empowering individuals and bringing resolution and peace. In this regard, I would like to bring you attention to the work of Dr Micheal Irving, a canadian sculptor, educator, and psychotherapist who has directed a pan-Canadian project supported by various community leaders and politicians: The Child Abuse Survivor Monument that depict the artwork and stories of survivors. This monument will be located at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, where thousands of individuals, including tourists from all over the world, will be passing by. http://www.irvingstudios.com/child_abuse_survivor_monument/monument.htm http://www.irvingstudios.com/child_abuse_survivor_monument/NationalChildAbuse.htm Finally, I would simply like to reiterate my appreciation for your courage in addressing the issue of childhood abuse... there is still a lot to be done here in Canada and your work may well pave the way for more initiatives here. I wish you all the best in continuing to effect social change to ensure that more and more children grow up free from abuse and oppression. I also hope that you will be able to encourage the creation of more spaces for adult survivors of abuse to heal so that they can take care of their own children better and be part of the supportive community network that is needed to support parents, families and children. Sincerely, --------------------- August,
16, 2004 ----------------------
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