Children Matter - See Something - Say Something - Mental Health Across America - We Need Change
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.
UVALDE, TEXAS May 24, 2022
The lives of everyone in that community changed that day, and its ripple effect has been felt all across America. 19 Kids and 2 teacher gone forever. The Shooter 18 years old, gone forever. Grieving families whose lives are shattered with anger, distraught and pain. The grief too heavy to bear.
Salvador Ramos turns 18 buys an assault Rifle, countless rounds of ammunition and shoots his grandmother, and plays out a role that was never meant to be. The role of a killer. Devastating!
NOW LETS TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME.
Young Salvador was born into dysfunction. His environment was toxic, and he was a struggling child. He was very quiet as the chaos in his world was too much for his “young brain” to handle. He was profusely bullied at school and by his peers for his speech impediment. He was hit countless time and bullied to the point of ‘NO RETURN”.
People are calling him a monster for what he did, and yes we will look at him that way because of his grotesque actions.
The biggest problem here is not the devastating END results of his anger and pain, but the beginning of his life path. Lets ask the questions!!
Who was there to help him?
Who stepped up for this young man to protect him?
Why didn’t anyone see or say something?
Who really cared?
Those are the questions that should be looked at and addressed, because if we do not start stepping up for the children there will be more shootings, more mass killings and devastation! The world created “this monster” by not doing right by him as a child and young adult. He was brought to this level because nobody cared enough to lend a helping hand and save him from his internal pain, that obviously ran so incredibly deep. That pain, brought him to the point of no return, ultimately, taking the innocent lives of children with him, and teachers who step into that role as an adult who was there to teach and protect.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
This young man was so damaged by his past that he traveled back to the beginning. He first shot his grandmother who he felt failed to protect him. He shot teachers whom he felt never stepped up to help him. He shot innocent children because he was that child lost in abuse, bullying and dysfunction. He felt the need to destroy everything that failed him.
This is the sad reality, and if we do not understand that message, our country does not stand a chance at change!
OPEN YOUR EYES - See the signs!
It all starts with our CHILDREN. We need to step up and help them so we can hopefully break the cycle of “Young Killers”.
Time to look at THE BIGGER PICTURE!
I pray for change and peace. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their children, and to the families of the teachers. As that dark cloud remains over Uvalde TX, I pray people will see the light.
SEE SOMETHING - SAY SOMETHING — YOU may save countless lives.
Embrace the Journey,
God Bless
Lisa Zarcone
Author - Child & Mental Health Advocate - Public Speaker - Blogger - Inspirationalist
The Unspoken Truth A memoir - A child’s story - An adults journey towards healing
MA National Ambassador for Naasca (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse)
MA 2021 Heroine Award Recipient - MA Commission on the Status of Women
Working in the community - Working across all social media platforms to Break the Silence, Raise My Voice and Promote education, change and healing
