What I hope for Jayme Closs now and in the future, from my experience as a survivor held against my will for only 48 hours of abduction, torture and fear:
I can't sleep until I put a few imperfect thoughts down for maybe others to think about...
I believe Jayme will deal with part of this very well right now with the love and support of her family, friends, health care professionals, experts in law enforcement trained to question children/ teens, all of her support system in school. She will do this despite the way the media intrudes and the general public says whatever they find out about a survivor of a very personal crime.
When I was abducted and held captive with loaded weapons and all that a State Policeman has at his disposal as far as restraints and control measures, initially, of course there was so much relief in being found in time, and of having immense pain- unbearable physical and emotional pain relieved.
What I would wish for Jayme in the way of healing and security needs after her parents' brutal murders would be a personal protection officer, like a young strong lady who has additional training in post- hostage recovery and re-integration into a safe life to accompany her for a period of months, maybe longer. Not to isolate her, but to be an added support and encouragement person, and also to make Jayme feel safe in the world again.
N0t because Jamye is at greater risk for any additional harm ( we have no way to know, to be honest, because of the sickos who come to the forefront after a sensationalized crime of this nature but never hurt a survivor ) but because of the fact that she WILL need to go back to school, to church, to dance, to all the things she can that helped her be herself before this. If she isolates herself, being an only child it's easy to do, I know, her emotional growth and recovery might not get the rays of sunshine needed.
Since our young adult to adult goals are to get a great education, go to college and pursue our dreams in the professional career of our choice, live in the city and state of our choosing which may be thousands of miles from a small hometown, moving forward and maybe moving away could be a positive thing for Jayme developmentally. Traditional adult goals are to form a lasting bond as an adult with a partner and establish a safe and happy home with children.
The " public", that's us, should never impede her progress by violating her privacy in any way.
Elizabeth Smart is extraordinary for her ability to have what appears to be a very happy marriage and all her beautiful children, the youngest one a tiny baby. This may keep her from doing some things she might otherwise be able to do for or with Jayme for a while. But, at some point, she may can help Jayme see what JOY there is in loving and marrying.
Of course, counseling, perhaps several times a week and extra when needed will come into play for a time. Again, Jayme likely will respond better to a female counselor with experience in post- hostage and torture survivors, which is not exactly an easy person to find in that tiny place she's from, I suppose..There may be some retired military former trauma counselors who could be greatly beneficial, and might volunteer some of their time, IDK.
Regarding a phenomenon I don't think I've ever encountered until reading this thread tonight, I want to respectfully give my opinion as a behavioral psych. graduate, as a nurse for most of my life, and as a person who stands strong against re-victimization-
When the public objectifies a survivor of a recent heinous crime to the point that they want to see where the survivor was held exactly, to see the " conditions", to hear the details of the parents' deaths, to find out how many perps. were involved,this is not helpful or respectful to the survivor.
The amount of personal info such as this should come from the survivor alone when they are able to share if they want to share. Again, I believe we got most of our info about Elizabeth Smart in adult terms from her when she became an adult and wrote her book. That was her choice and a strong choice.
Please, impersonal digital world that we live in and share with Jayme, be gentle with this child and collectively remember that photos can't be unseen by anyone, least of all the person who lived through it, and because it is using HER pain and suffering for titillation and profit.
There is absolutely no reason to need to know what happened to her beyond what the Sheriff or FBI choose to release before it comes out in a trial ( and unless the courtroom is cleared for the sake of the minor child victim.)
WS is full of fine, kind hearted smart people. If this girl were your 13 year old sister, daughter, cousin or best friend, would you ask her for the deepest darkest details and descriptions of her oreal or would you love her and support her recovery ( a long process with many many stages)?
I always expect the best out of each of us, so I expect if you were talking to her face to face as a friend or family member, you would be loving and supportive and looking towards her future, not back to a 3 month period of hell on earth which STARTED when her parents were murdered.
We strangers should do no less than what her mother, aunt, or grandfather would do, love and support, not dig for details which aren't in the mainstream public domain. I am speaking from experience here.
I hope with all my heart, and my professional mindset as well, that every good, kind and loving person in this country will respect Jayme enough to support her and her family in any way possible from this day forward, never ever wanting to take her back emotionally to the place she was held captive.
Lastly, we each have to separate the surviving victim from the perp. Every time the perp. or perps. are mentioned, I hope Jayme's strength of will, mind and body are remembered and respected.
It is such a joy to celebrate her being alive with each of you!!
I felt like part of something so big and wondrous and still do.
WSers are the BEST! We love Jayme and we can show the people " out there" who might not have worried about her for hours per day for months that all the info which will be coming in is about a real girl, a sweet beautiful growing girl with thick wavy strawberry blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes, and a little dog named Molly she loves very much.
A girl who will regain her strength and run like the wind again and who will dance straight and tall, full of inner beauty and grace.
