Adult Survivors of Child Abuse:

Removing the Splinter

by Lisa Shaw

Consider how a splinter, a tiny foreign object embedded in a finger or foot, can cause discomfort great enough to immobilize us. Its size so disproportionate to the rest of our bodies, that sliver exerts an overwhelming power. This is what it feels like to be an abuse survivor, even if the abuse occurred and got buried in childhood. The sting returns as we carry on our normal routines…

by Lisa Shaw

Consider how a splinter, a tiny foreign object embedded in a finger or foot, can cause discomfort great enough to immobilize us. Its size so disproportionate to the rest of our bodies, that sliver exerts an overwhelming power. This is what it feels like to be an abuse survivor, even if the abuse occurred and got buried in childhood. The sting returns as we carry on our normal routines later in life. The same happens with an uninvited pebble in a shoe.…