Vicky Biccy's Blog

Shaken up

So, I stumbled upon this article yesterday. I had to battle to keep a hold of my emotions as I read about a school full of severely emotionally troubled and traumatised children. Says John Diamond, the school’s founder: ‘Due to adverse experiences in their earliest years of development, the children communicate these distressing experiences and their emotional pain through chaotic and challenging behaviour. As a result of this behaviour, they have often been excluded from mainstream schools, or found it very difficult to live within a family setting.’

As I talked about this article with a friend last night, I found myself struggling to hold on to faith… in God, in society, in humanity. Desperate and angry, we went through a list of who could be to blame for the destruction of these young lives. After going round in circles, we came to the conclusion that blame-mongering doesn’t make anything better. What I should really be asking is ‘what can I do to help?’

I realise that the problems are many and complex, and they need to be tackled – through the government, the social welfare system, the economy, etc etc. But what can I do? Maybe I could train to work with kids like these, and make a difference that way. Maybe I could invest in charities that work to support people in these situations.

I hope I don’t forget what I’ve read, paper over the heartache, and do nothing about it. It might happen, but I’ll try not to let it happen. However little positive impact I can actually make, I can aim to be part of the solution. I can choose to keep hoping, keep forgiving, keep trying, keep loving… and not give up.

Created on Thu 22nd May 2008 18:41