We watched her story last night as well. I too was struck by her courage, resilience, and most especially by her "knack" for maintaining at least a measure of sanity in this most brutal and IN-sane world she was suddenly thrust into.

She was kidnapped at 11 years of age. By that time she had been sufficiently equipped by healthy parenting and socialization to be able to hang on to who she was. (Most telling in this was how her captors tried to squelch her identity by denying her her very own name, yet she defiantly held onto it in secret.) In contrast, at age 11 I had no idea who I was; I have gone through life as a chameleon, looking for my identity in the reflections of others.

Jaycee's story of survival and recovery is a tremendous inspiration to me. I know my HP is at work, preparing me and leading me towards healing and wholeness - I just have to remember to trust his means and his timing.

Oh Dave, I watched her interview too and thought about what she said about "he took enough from me, I am not giving over my rage"

I have also been watching the Casey Anthony case and i triggered over the not guilty verdict, felt like old days wen I didn't get justice either, i had to only hope that karma in the afterlife got my justice, but still no closure and 4 her poor parents, same thing, no closure, no truth, no justice---i had to really give it over and just keep shunning this in my mind and not giving it anymore of my energy----i just have to realize that even tho we seemingly get no justice there is karma and its a bitch--these people pay, the ones who prey upon others and courts let them off, or perp . dies or whatever

Jaycee's perps are awaiting trial and may they rot in prison 4 the rest of their days---i know that perps like that do not have it easy in jail because of the nature of their crimes

yea, she is amazing---awesome young lady----i think it was doctor drew who said that even tho we can recover at lot, there is parts of us that are gone---cannot get back

my family of origin still looks 4 ways to attack me and i am GONE...they don't exist 4 me----i shun them and go about my business as tho they don't exist

yea, i admire this young lady--wish i had her resilience!!!

Rosie,

I think we do have her resiliency... if we didn't there wouldn't be no fellowship known as ACOA... at times we may not believe it... but we do.

I was talking with a friend earlier and I was saying my worst enemy now a days are the messages from my childhood... that I don't deserve good things or good times. I can at times, be my own worst enemy and feel guilt and shame when good things happen to me. At times like that, I realize that my folks still have some power over me because I still listen to those messages.

Early in AA, my first sponsor told me that the key was "willingness." The willingness to change... the willingness to listen... the willingness to grow. For me, as an ACOA, the willingness to change was that I had to let my folks go to survive... and it sucks at times that they still have a grip on me.

I have no anger or rage at them but it is obvious to me that they still have a grip on my life. Then I look at Jaycee and see in the short time she has had her freedom how insightful and spiritual she is and I can't help but feel guilty - to myself - for letting my parents still have a place in my mind. That was one of many things Jaycee taught me in that show. Nothing can change my past... but I can live with it... and as she is proving... I can even thrive with it.

Exactly what I was thinking about Jaycee Dave, watching the interview last night I was amazed how she seemed to have such light and love in her expression. I thought HOW??? So many people failed her, the cops, neighbors, etc, while she was being tortured in every way. I loved what she said about not letting her become bitter. I know thats my biggest problem. Sigh. The HP work is definitely the hardest.

Well HI Jessica, nice to see you out and about...

I haven't seen it but I am intrigued by what you are all sharing....wow........

For anybody who hasn't seen the interview... here is a link... this is how I watch all my TV over the internet... anyway it is towards the bottom of the page

http://tv-junky.com/2011/07/11/primetime-%E2%80%93-jaycee-dugard-in-her-own-words-2011

Oh My God. Watching that I went through every emotion possible. Oh God. Heartbreaking but so so encouraging and uplifting. It made me weep. Thank you for posting the link Dave.God, it just made me think so much that we can triumph - that it IS possible to refuse to allow our abusers to steal anymore of our life. Amazing. God Bless Jaycee.

P.S. By 'abusers' I include those who by their inaction either intentional or not, somehow become almost complicit. I have often felt that the abuse in itself was bad enough but to then be let down by others - authorities or other family members who knew about it but didn't act etc. is just almost too much to bear. Is it any wonder that 'trust' becomes so hard.