Read Online Bent But Not Broken by Elizabeth Margaret - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Elizabeth Margaret
Tags: Juvenile Fiction
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Proof of the pudding, and all that.
Love,
Abigail
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CASE FILE #2794 ABIGAIL LEE MANUS D.O.B. 02/04/1998
ENTRY 26: 14/05/2014
----
Today saw a breakthrough with Abigail. She not only spoke in the group session, she had clearly set herself up as a leader. It was not important that she, with the support of the other girls, was trying to force a change in relation to the music that is piped through the ward. Frankly, it drives me crazy. I can't understand why the girls have not raised it as an issue before this.
'I was surprised when you spoke up in the group session today, Abigail,' I said.
She glared at me. It's getting boring.
'I am not trying to trap you into anything, Abigail,' I added.
Derisive snort. Variety at last!
'I know that you have listened to what the other girls have said in the group sessions,' I said. 'What's more, I know that you relate to what they are saying,' I expanded.
'Yeah, well it's hard not to,' she replied. 'You make us sit there and listen!'
'Have you thought about why we have group sessions, as well as individual sessions?' I asked.
'Torture? Malice? Power trip?' she spat.
'All of the above!' I laughed. 'Good to know it's working!'
Back to the life-threatening glare.
'Okay, you're not in the mood,' I observed. 'Are you interested in the real reasons?' I asked. Then I waited. And waited some more. Finally she responded.
'If you tell me, then will you shut up?' she demanded.
'Might be difficult, but I will try,' I smiled my response.
'So we can't have any secrets!' she stated.
'Everyone's got secrets, Abigail. It's just that some secrets are toxic. Do you know what I mean by toxic?'
'Duh!' was her only reply.
'We have individual sessions for privacy, Abigail,' I explained.
'Privacy! Here! You really are nuts!' she shouted.
'Some things need to be worked out without other people knowing. That's what I mean by privacy,' I said calmly.
'And here's me thinking about toilet doors!' came the angry reply.
'Have you ever needed to talk something difficult over with your friends?' I prompted.
'Yeah. Heaps,' was all she said. Clearly in minimalist mode today.
'That's what the group session is for,' I explained. 'So that each person, when she is ready, can talk her thoughts out loud.'
With this, Abigail's face showed that she was mulling this new idea over.
'Are we allowed to say what we think in group?' she asked.
'So long as it is not destructive to anyone present,' I replied.
She thought some more. I waited. Obviously Abigail had used today's quota of words.
'Have you ever heard any of the girls making fun of anyone in the group?' I asked. 'Have you ever heard any put downs or any negativity at all?' I expanded.
'I guess not,' came the eventual reply.
'Group has to be a place of safety, in every meaning of the word,' I said.
'Now will you shut up?' she said sarcastically.
I did not answer. She glared at me. I watched her glaring at me. Eventually she got it â I was shutting up. She spent the rest of the session reading.
I am happy that finally Abigail has spoken in group. What has delighted me so much was that she was willing to put a proposition; discuss the possible ramifications, and suggest a compromise position. This supports my impression of Abigail: that she is an intelligent young woman who can work in concert with others to improve everyone's situation.
I see this as a huge advance. I hope that now Abigail will begin to understand that I am not here to make her life a misery, or to try to control her unnecessarily. Her strength has kept her silent. Now perhaps she will understand that this same strength will eventually lead her to emotional health.
Dr. Harry Nightingale
Â
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Dear Crystal,
There's no forgetting that this is a loony bin. I will admit they've done their best with the ward. It smells like a hospital â I suppose that's unavoidable because it is one. Maybe it's the stuff they use to clean the place. Did I tell you
Love,
Abigail
Â
Â
CASE FILE #2794 ABIGAIL LEE MANUS D.O.B. 02/04/1998
ENTRY 26: 14/05/2014
----
Today saw a breakthrough with Abigail. She not only spoke in the group session, she had clearly set herself up as a leader. It was not important that she, with the support of the other girls, was trying to force a change in relation to the music that is piped through the ward. Frankly, it drives me crazy. I can't understand why the girls have not raised it as an issue before this.
'I was surprised when you spoke up in the group session today, Abigail,' I said.
She glared at me. It's getting boring.
'I am not trying to trap you into anything, Abigail,' I added.
Derisive snort. Variety at last!
'I know that you have listened to what the other girls have said in the group sessions,' I said. 'What's more, I know that you relate to what they are saying,' I expanded.
'Yeah, well it's hard not to,' she replied. 'You make us sit there and listen!'
'Have you thought about why we have group sessions, as well as individual sessions?' I asked.
'Torture? Malice? Power trip?' she spat.
'All of the above!' I laughed. 'Good to know it's working!'
Back to the life-threatening glare.
'Okay, you're not in the mood,' I observed. 'Are you interested in the real reasons?' I asked. Then I waited. And waited some more. Finally she responded.
'If you tell me, then will you shut up?' she demanded.
'Might be difficult, but I will try,' I smiled my response.
'So we can't have any secrets!' she stated.
'Everyone's got secrets, Abigail. It's just that some secrets are toxic. Do you know what I mean by toxic?'
'Duh!' was her only reply.
'We have individual sessions for privacy, Abigail,' I explained.
'Privacy! Here! You really are nuts!' she shouted.
'Some things need to be worked out without other people knowing. That's what I mean by privacy,' I said calmly.
'And here's me thinking about toilet doors!' came the angry reply.
'Have you ever needed to talk something difficult over with your friends?' I prompted.
'Yeah. Heaps,' was all she said. Clearly in minimalist mode today.
'That's what the group session is for,' I explained. 'So that each person, when she is ready, can talk her thoughts out loud.'
With this, Abigail's face showed that she was mulling this new idea over.
'Are we allowed to say what we think in group?' she asked.
'So long as it is not destructive to anyone present,' I replied.
She thought some more. I waited. Obviously Abigail had used today's quota of words.
'Have you ever heard any of the girls making fun of anyone in the group?' I asked. 'Have you ever heard any put downs or any negativity at all?' I expanded.
'I guess not,' came the eventual reply.
'Group has to be a place of safety, in every meaning of the word,' I said.
'Now will you shut up?' she said sarcastically.
I did not answer. She glared at me. I watched her glaring at me. Eventually she got it â I was shutting up. She spent the rest of the session reading.
I am happy that finally Abigail has spoken in group. What has delighted me so much was that she was willing to put a proposition; discuss the possible ramifications, and suggest a compromise position. This supports my impression of Abigail: that she is an intelligent young woman who can work in concert with others to improve everyone's situation.
I see this as a huge advance. I hope that now Abigail will begin to understand that I am not here to make her life a misery, or to try to control her unnecessarily. Her strength has kept her silent. Now perhaps she will understand that this same strength will eventually lead her to emotional health.
Dr. Harry Nightingale
Â
Â
Â
Dear Crystal,
There's no forgetting that this is a loony bin. I will admit they've done their best with the ward. It smells like a hospital â I suppose that's unavoidable because it is one. Maybe it's the stuff they use to clean the place. Did I tell you
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