The Silent and Hidden Victims of Gun Violence

[slackmaster]

88. Shit happens around kids all the time, and they often don't get the help they need when they need it

Children witness domestic violence, sickness, and vehicle accidents. They see family members and pets die. They suffer from parents who are alcoholics, addicts, or absent for whatever reason. They get teased and bullied at school.

My own father died when I was seven years old. I was the first one on the scene. It had nothing to do with guns or violence, it was an accident, but it has affected me for the rest of my life. For almost 20 years I lived in self-doubt, wondering if I was somehow responsible for not responding more quickly to danger signs that I had sensed minutes earlier. I was only seven years old, but there was nobody around to ask me how I felt then assure me that what happened was not my fault.

It took some serious counseling over many years to get me to forgive myself, but the experience left me hardened with a life-long policy of acting immediately and without fear to any situation I see as dangerous. I don't give a shit if I overreact and piss someone off. If I see someone I believe needs to be rescued, I'll dive in and help or escalate the situation to a professional.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.

I think suggesting that kids who are witnesses to "gun violence" belong in some special class overlooks the far larger problem of children who have post-traumatic stress disorder and don't get treatment. I think it's rather small-minded to try to make that a "gun" issue.

That is my opinion.