:Emily:

Wednesday, January 09, 2008 I have been reading this book for the past 2 days. 2 days to finish up this book is simply crazy but every page tells of a story of a sad young girl named Jodie who was being sexually abused by the parents, uncles and aunties. It left such a strong impact on her that it brought harm and she was completely shut off from the world.She trust no one except she and her imaginary friend and as I read along how a patient and understanding foster carer came into her life, I was very glad that Cathy did not give up halfway or lost her temper at her throughout the times spent with Jodie. My eyes were wet when I read through the pages. It was one of the best story for this year and by sharing with the world the story of Jodie, I know that Cathy has warmed the hearts of many. One of the hearts is mine. It taught me alot. You don't need to be fierce and always hitting your child when he or she is in the wrong. Patience and a firm yet gentle push is all it needs to get it going. A kid needs tender loving care from the parents and being at such a young stage in life, kids tend to mimick the actions shown by the parents to the kids.Whether the child grows up to be a good or bad person is determined by the parents itself. and so , here's a brief summary of the book by Cathy Glass. You should get it and read it if possible. Damaged is the true story of the relationship between Jodie and me. Jodie was the most disturbed and abused child I had ever looked after, and her behaviour was so difficult that she has seen off five carers in four months. When she first came into my home it didn’t begin well – she soiled herself, and then wiped it on her face, grinning wickedly. When she met my teenage children: Adrian, Paula and Lucy, she greeted each of them with a sharp kick. Later, when I asked them for their first impressions of Jodie, Adrian looked very guilty when he said that Jodie reminded him of Chucky, the doll from the horror film Child's Play. But Jodie trusted me and began to 'disclose', revealing details of the horrendous abuse she had suffered from the very people who should have loved and protected her. And although Jodie had been on the child protection register since birth, the Social Services were largely unaware of what had been going on. During the time Jodie was with me I formed a very close relationship with her, and I know from your emails that many of you felt you got to know Jodie from reading Damaged. She's getting her posted timey on 2:26 AM

Emily 19 going on 20 works in the sky City harvester;E290 Linking Corrine Edna Jiaxin Jiawen June Leng Choo Mindy Priya Sun Samantha Let's talk designed by: Blackey