abused children

This episode profiles "Genie," a girl whose parents kept her imprisoned in near total isolation from infancy. When social workers discovered her as a teenager, she had not learned to walk or talk. This program includes never-before-seen footage of her rehabilitation and probes how and when we learn the skills that make us "human.".

Karen A. Gorr was born in 1937 and developed debilitating physical challenges shortly thereafter due to a prolonged illness. Her mother was a single parent with another disabled child and no familial support. When her mother became ill, she placed her children in an institution for the ?feeble-minded? since no other facilities stepped up to help. Karen spent 10 years of her childhood there, and she constantly longed to escape the abuse, isolation, hunger, and neglect. A Life of Triumph is Ms. Gorr?s story of how her own determination, grit, stubbornness, and a sense of humor ? and the help of friends and professionals ? enabled her to find a life beyond an institution. She shares her transformation from a ?limp rag doll? into a scholarship student, teacher, public speaker, board member, and advocate for those with mental and physical disabilities. Along the way, Ms. Gorr learns to forgive those who caused her so much suffering, and she?s blessed with what she calls the ?ultimate gift? ? her own perfect daughter who has made the whole journey worthwhile.

They were five kids with five different fathers and an alcoholic mother who left them to fend for themselves for weeks at a time as she came and went from their lives. When Regina, the sister who looked after them and protected Rosie, the youngest, disclosed their plight to a social worker, Rosie was promptly removed and placed in foster care. But their mother kidnapped her and took her to a farm in Idaho where Rosie endured physical and emotional abuse. Like her sister Regina, Rosie found strength to overcome her life and escape.

"At the age of 8, Reyna Grande made the dangerous and illegal trek across the border from Mexico to the United States, and discovered that the American Dream is much more complicated that it seemed"--Provided by publisher.

"Growing up, Mallory "Mouse" Dodge learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. After she escaped her terrifying childhood and spent years being homeschooled by loving adoptive parents, she is starting her senior year at a public high school. The first day, she runs into Rider Stark, the friend and protector from her childhood, and Mallory realizes that their bond never really faded. But as Rider's life spirals out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out--for the people she loves, the life she wants and the truths that need to be heard."--Adapted from book jacket.

Blessed with the unusual ability to "jump"--to teleport himself to any place on Earth that he has been to before--Davy is determined to locate others like himself, but interference from the government could prevent him from doing so.

After Lulu and Merry's mother is killed in a drunken rage by their father, who is sent to prison, they become orphans and are sent to a terrifying group home where they cling to each other for support, but thirty years later, the girls have yet to come to terms with the events and each has a different view of their incarcerated father.

Clarifies abuse and its circumstances, including ways to get help.

David Pelzer, victim of one of the worst child abuse cases in the history of California, tells the story of how he survived his mother's brutality and triumphed over his past.

Following a bloody civil war, young Ofelia enters a world of unimaginable cruelty when she moves in with her new stepfather, a tyrannical military officer. She discovers a mysterious labyrinth in her imagination and meets a faun who sends her on a path to save herself and her ailing mother.