<p>I have to wonder – if women are abused to this extreme for so long a period of time, can they ever recover? It does not seem possible.</p>
<p>It’s especially sad about Michelle Knight. Last I saw, she was still in the hospital. Is she still there? Does she have no family to be released to? Her mother was quoted as saying that she kept putting up posters of her daughter in the area even though the police didn’t treat it as a missing persons case. But are they somewhat estranged?</p>
<p>I’ve even seen news reports that mention the other two women’s names, and not hers. At least that might keep the helicopters away from her.</p>
<p>razor - I was wondering that too but I read a story in the NY Times magazine a month or so ago about victims of child sexual abuse and pornography being awarded money by perps who are convicted of downloading or otherwise owning that pornography. Reading the stories of those young women, who began being abused as young children, I just couldn’t believe that they were still alive. That they could live with those memories and resolve to keep living. But somehow they have. </p>
<p>One of the points of the court decisions was that every time someone downloads pornographic images of them, they are re-victimized and entitled to compensation.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know I shouldn’t judge, but it’s kind of odd that Michelle’s mom didn’t have any photos of her. She said she didn’t bring any with her when she moved to Florida because she had a smaller apartment. How many mothers do you know who have no pictures of one of their children? She’s spoken to TV and it’s obvious that Michelle has chosen not to call her. Her mom said “She’s probably angry at the world.” Someone claiming to be her brother said he did not know she was missing. His mom kicked him out of their home when he was 14 and he’s had no contact with his mother or sister since then. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, though, there is also a report that Michelle is physically damaged. According to the report, she has broken facial bones which haven’t healed properly and is partially deaf due to a particularly vicious beating. Yes, it’s the NY Post and Fox News but still…Maybe she doesn’t want to face the world with a disfigured face.</p>
<p>sopranomom, What a terrible story! That poor woman. I can’t imagine how she will be able to recover from all this.</p>
<p>Are there any charities that help women who have been so severely abused?</p>
<p>I agree with those who wish the media would back off and let them catch their breath. I fear they may be victimized again if people don’t give them the time and the space to heal.</p>
<p>Castro had beaten his ex-wife badly when they were still married, breaking several bones, dislocating her shoulders, etc. Awful, just awful.</p>
<p>It appears that Charles Ramsay’s heroic tale may be subject to revision:
[Angel</a> Cordero, Cleveland kidnapping: Nobody?s praising the less-flamboyant who also helped free Amanda Berry.](<a href=“http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/05/08/_angel_cordero_cleveland_kidnapping_nobody_s_praising_the_less_flamboyant.html]Angel”>Angel Cordero, Cleveland kidnapping: Nobody’s praising the less-flamboyant who also helped free Amanda Berry.)
Not surprising that the colorful self-promoter eclipsed the quieter guy who doesn’t speak English. I hope McDonalds holds off on whatever it had in mind for the “hero”. I’m still not buying everything that Ramsay’s selling, and look forward to Amanda’s own account of her rescue.</p>
<p>I’m watching Anderson Cooper. The psychic Sylvia Browne also told Shawn Horbeck’s parents he was dead. She put out a statement today saying she has been right most of the time and has never been so happy to be mistaken as she was in this (the Cleveland) case.</p>
<p>Cooper added “She should have announced she has no shame.”</p>
<p>I watched that Angel Cordero interview earlier tonight. And, it appears Ramsey was a domestic abuser. That was a quick 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Razor, yes, most can recover. Humans are remarkably resilient creatures.</p>
<p>I hope one thing that comes out of this tragic crime against these three young women is the public’s suspicion of padlocks and “forbidden” areas within private homes. NO PROBABLE REASON for this sort of concealment from friends and family members except for illicit activity, imo. Reminds me of Bluebeard horrors. I wish the police would draw attention to this. Human trafficking and exploitation cannot occur with such impunity without precisely this sort of “locked zone” within a house. Not normal in any way, and the public should be made more aware.</p>
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<p>Wow! Such talent! To predict that missing children are dead! </p>
<p>Any idiot on the street could assume the same based on statistics. Most of us won’t take money for our sad speculation, though. She should be tarred and feathered.</p>
<p>A fund has been set up called the Cleveland Courage Fund, administered by the Cleveland Foundation. I don’t know if I’m allowed to post a link, but it’s very easy to find online.</p>
<p>I, too, am so worried about Michelle. When you’re that age, no close family (that you want to see), no job training…I so hope some sweet famly, without a profit motive, “adopts” her.</p>
<p>Edited to add that Charity Navigator gives the Cleveland Foundation 4 stars.</p>
<p>Another here who’s worried most for Michelle. She didn’t have a stable background to begin with. She doesn’t have a stable support system now it appears. She also seems to have received the brunt of the abuse (on preliminary reports). She apparently has a twin brother who didn’t even know she was missing.</p>
<p>It is painful to read about Michelle who sounds like she has had a horrific life and virtually no support. I hope her life improves soon. Do wish the media would leave these women alone to heal. I wonder how her medical bills will be handled? Medicaid? Victim’s fund?</p>
<p>Hope these women can heal and the. Get degrees and skills so they can have much happier futures.</p>
<p>The story on npr this morning said that lots of doctors and dentists have stepped forward to treat the young women for free. But of course, that doesn’t take care of hospital bills, labs, etc. I would assume they could qualify for public assistance.</p>
<p>It’s so terrible that after all this we have to ask how their medical bills will be paid :(</p>
<p>It appears Michelle delivered and then saved the baby by doing CPR. I really hope that this young lady finds the support she needs.</p>
<p>tom1944, Where did you get those details?</p>