How will Jaycee Dugard and her daughters integrate back into society?

September 1, 8:50 AMSalt Lake City Headlines ExaminerMarci Stone

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It is possible for people to adjust and integrate back into society after a terrible ordeal?  Jaycee Dugard was abducted at 11 years old and held captive for 18 years, was raped, and bore 2 daughters from the man who held her captive.  She adjusted to that situation.  And now, how will she adjust to her current situation?  How will she adjust to being back in normal society?  How will she help her daughters adjust…when their whole lives have been spent in captivity? 

Ernie Allen, President/CEO of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said in an interview with Good Morning America  (GMA) this morning, that once Jaycee was kidnapped and forced to live in a completely different situation, and the mind can only take so much anger and fear.  And the first thing Jaycee had to do (and she did it well) was figure out how to survive, and in doing that she bonded with her capturer.  She adjusted to the situation, to her surroundings.

Elizabeth Smart was able to ntegrate back into society.   Elizabeth Smart’s mom stated in a GMA interview that, we don’t forget, we will never forget, but we have to move forward and let the past go.

Elizabeth Smart was held captive for approximately a year, but Jaycee Dugard was held captive for 18 years, and it will take longer for her to adjust back into normal society.  Jaycee will never forget, but it will take a long time for her to adjust.

Ernie Allen stated that it will take patience and time for Jaycee Dugard and her daughters to adjust and catch up in the world and be where an 11 and 15 year old should be.  Jaycee has to be re-introduced to her parents, she has to be told that this is not her fault.  Jaycee will need to be helped to create a “new normal.”  Jacyee will play a key role in helping her daughters adjust.   

John Lutzker, PhD, the Director of Center of Healthy Development at Georgia State University stated in a GMA interview that spending a lot of time with her family will certainly help Jaycee Dugard and her daughters to adjust. 

Associated Press photo

For the original story of  what happened to Jaycee Dugard click here

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