Child Abuse Story From Senia1

by Senia
(Connecticut, USA)

I thought it was over: 
I was adopted from Russia when I was 11 years old by an American family. All the abuse and hurt I felt before I thought was over. Things were going well for less than a year. I started getting older- my teen years and I already had my life set from my life in Russia.

First, things started off with little arguments which later on led to fights and abuse. They started off by emotionally abusing me, which put me in deep depression. They told me that I am dumb (with A to C average with English as a second language) that I can never succeed in life, that I will end up dead at a young age like my parents did and so on. They sought help from professionals but things didn't get better because they were not putting in the effort that I was.

I would cry myself to sleep each night, hoping for things to work out but things started to get worse. As I turned 15, things got even worse. There was physical altercation involved. Cops were called each week and I was taken to a psychiatric ward each time. I got even more depressed and I tried to end my life, started cutting, using illegal drugs to get myself into a better world where I felt safe. I couldn't sleep because the nightmares would be flashing in my mind. I started sessions at the local PTSD clinic, trying to set my life straight but when the therapist would tell my parents that they needed to work on themselves too they would blame me and say they were perfect. That it's not them it's me.

I started going to school with bruises on my face and body. DCF was taking a long time to get involved and they would never believe my story. Adults have the priority, right? Well things got even worse after that. I got arrested for hitting my mother when it was only self defence and I had to serve time at the niantic woman's jail. Finally I got through to the police department and they saw what I did. My parents got charged with child neglect for leaving me outside all night in the middle of November. After that DCF finally got involved and helped me get out of that nightmare.

It has been 3 years since I have left the house and STILL all I get is emotional abuse. I have changed my ways. I became a better person I promised myself to be while they still see the old me that will always be dumb and never get anywhere.

I now have been adopted by the most wonderful person in the world that has helped me change myself and get my self confidence back. She has shown me that someone actually still cares for me. I will always thank God for bringing her into my life. He has showed me that things can always get better no matter how bad they seem in the moment.

Note from Darlene: I regret that I can no longer continue the practice of commenting on visitor submissions to the degree I have in the past, as I am currently writing a book on healing from child abuse. I ask that you please read my post of June 24, 2009 titled Announcement Regarding my Comments for a complete explanation. I welcome you to follow my progress on my Facebook page at Healing from Child Abuse. When you get there, don't forget to click onto the Become a Fan link. I do hope to hear from you there.

Email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses AND website/blog URLs in visitor comments are STRICTLY prohibited, and could result in being banned from making further comments on this site.