See Something - Say Something - Step it UP for OUR Youth
My name is Lisa Zarcone and I am a survivor of child abuse. I was abused emotionally, mentally, physically and sexually. My past did so much damage along the way, that it took me years to overcome it, and find true healing.
My journey has been quite difficult, and the dark demons that I had to face almost destroyed me, but I did make it through by the grace of God (yes, I said it out loud, because I do have deep faith in spirit). I am now standing stronger than ever; A Life Warrior.
I have become a child and mental health advocate, trying to give back and help as many people as I can along the way.
Why am I sharing this? Who really cares? You should!
I am sharing this for a purpose. A very important purpose. I want to bring awareness to these dark subjects that need to be addressed over and over again until change happens! Our youth all over the world need us. Our youth right in our own neighborhoods and communities need us!
Every day when I am reading the news, there is always a new story of a child or children that were abused, and many have died horrific deaths by the hands of the very people who brought them into this world or someone close to them.
How is this possible, this horrible reality? Why would someone ever want to hurt a child or young adult? Well, we all know the list is endless, but that doesn’t mean we should all “silently” accept it.
With each and every story that unfolds, WE as a community should be stepping up, and more importantly stepping in before it is too late.
The most recent story that came out of Texas is completely devastating, disheartening and disturbing.
10/25/21
3 Kids Found Abandoned in Texas Apartment with Skeletal Remains of 9-Year-Old Brother
I was so disturbed by this story for countless reasons.
First of all, what type of parent leaves their children in such a deplorable environment, along with their own child that had died because of physical abuse.
Every bell and whistle went off through my entire body as I instantly imagined the environment and daily lives of these 4 children. Ohh, the damage runs so intensely deep.
Try to look at this through the “child’s perspective” and see what they saw. The abuse, the filth, the feeling of abandonment and death. Feeling helpless as they watched their brother die right in front of their eyes, fearing they would possibly be next. Looking into the eyes of a mother who chose a deadbeat boyfriend over them. Imagine…
Those little bellies that were starving as the pings of hunger rush over them, as they are lost and clouded by the isolation of living in this apartment for months!
Neighbors are now coming forward almost a year into this story, stating that they would offer food to the oldest sibling who was 15. Some neighbors stated that the boy seemed paranoid and would only accept packaged food because he was terrified of being poisoned. (This last sentence alone is mind blowing because with that type of knowledge, why didn’t someone not make a phone call)
They would see him outside sleeping on the slide in the play-ground. Another neighbor stated that they saw the mother show up once in a while. She would pull up in her car, hand food and drinks out the window to her son and simply drive away.
Also, nobody in this apartment complex seemed to know that there were more children inside that horrid apartment. My question is, “How did nobody know?” Or “Was NOBODY willing to step in?”
How can four children not be accounted for as a whole year went by? Somebody, somewhere must have thought, what happened to these children?
The Schools
DCF
Doctors’ Offices
The Apartment Complex Manager
Apartment Maintenance Workers
Family
Friends
Neighbors…
Do you get where I am going with this!! Somebody, somewhere had to think about it and somebody had to know that these children were in harm’s way.
The most difficult thing for me personally to wrap my head around is -- Why nobody ever asked the questions, or looked for these children? Why did it go on for so long, as a whole apartment complex surrounded them? This is truly heart-breaking.
They lived in filth, starving, watching their dead brother’s body rot in front of their eyes. Knowing that their own mother was aware and only lived 15 minutes away from them with the deadbeat boyfriend. She went on living her life very well aware of the environment she left them in.
So where did the ball drop? How did they fall through the cracks? Also, what was the mother’s mental status?
You see, it all ties in together. When you look at the bigger picture and the patterns of the past, we connect the dots. In the end, it all goes back to the beginning. How did these precious children get lost in the shuffle of life, and why didn’t anyone step up?
I will continue to write about these difficult subjects, and push for awareness and change because our children deserve better. People who are mentally struggling also deserve better.
The only way we can make change happen is by “Breaking the Silence”! Let’s go back to that old saying that stands strong and true - “SEE SOMETHING – SAY SOMETHING”, because you may just be saving lives, precious lives of our children.
I am praying for those boys, and for all of the children who continue to suffer daily in silence waiting to be saved.
I remember being that child, looking into the eye of the adults that surrounded me silently screaming for help.
As you move forward today, be more aware of your surroundings, neighborhoods and communities. Take a deep dark look into the “eyes of a child” -- What are you really seeing?
If it is a clouded view – Speak UP
Save the Child!
Embrace the Journey,
God Bless,
Lisa Zarcone
Author – The Unspoken Truth A Memoir
2021 Heroine Award Recipient – Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
Massachusetts National Ambassador/Regional Director for Naasca (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse)
Child & Mental Health Advocate
Public Speaker
Blogger
Inspirationalist
