wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] Aug from spanish harlem August 17, 2007 - 10:20AM

  thank you for your candor, I am 42 years old and was told the same thing by a councelor, the difference between you and me is that i excepted it. I am now living with my elderly mother and have nothing just like the councelor said, I feel like it is to late for me to do anything. thank you also for saying it is not when you start it is were you end. here's to happy ending, god bless.

  
  
• [2] Libby from New York City August 17, 2007 - 10:31AM

  You are proof of human resilience and drive--more power to you!

  As to NYC social service agencies, David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) was seen by one as a child and was disturbed even then, but was discharged from treatment! Go figure...

  
  
• [3] jacqueline goossens from staten island August 17, 2007 - 10:36AM

  I'm a Belgian journalist based in New York. After several books about New York I just started working on a biography of my mother. She was a life long mental patient. Many things of her past are unknown or not told to me (who her father was, when she was first admitted, several incidents that happened, etc). I was also raised by my

  grandmother and spend a number of years in boarding school. My mother had severe hallucinations. Many adults were afraid of her. However my siblings and myself remember her as a gentle soul towards us. I want to point this out for the sake of the many mental patients out there. My mom passed away last november. When I think about her I never feel pity for myself but great sadness for her because life had been so cruel to her. Sincerely,

  Jacqueline Goossens

  
  
• [4] Justin from N. Manhattan August 17, 2007 - 10:43AM

  What a powerful story. I am shocked at how different my life has been from Mr. Carter (I'm white, grew up on the west coast, went to a private high school, fairly well off - didn't take that much effort to go to college), yet our experiences overlap: I barely knew my father; I was sexually abused when I was 13; my mother was mentally ill (Borderline Personality Disorder - which is quite a different experience from growing up with a mother with Schizophrenia). I have talked with some people about these experiences, but there is an underlying feeling of shame, so it is great to hear about someone who has come out into the open and decided not to live the rest of his life as a secret. The truth will set you free!

  
  
• [5] Brian from N. Manhattan August 17, 2007 - 10:43AM

  Aug above - you have decades of life left. The fact that you want change your life is evidence to me that you can do it. Start with community college and see where that takes you!

  
  
• [6] C. from brooklyn August 17, 2007 - 10:44AM

  I will echo other listener comments to say thank you, thank you, thank you for your candor.

  At the age of 30, I experienced a series of physical memories about childhood sexual abuse. Like you, after the revelation, everything that had not been working in my life shifted. I finally understood my entire life -- it all suddenly made sense. And that shift represents an immense step in the healing process.

  Only a very few people in my life know about this revelation, however, and I am still secretive about it because the knowledge would devastate my living family members. I do suspect, however, that my sister was also a victim, though she and I have never spoken of it.

  How did you decide to go public? What were the ramifications of your decision? Have you met with any negative consequences of being candid about your childhood abuse?

  
  
• [7] j from nyc August 17, 2007 - 10:48AM

  i have so much respect for dominic carter - what an amazing person!

  
  
• [8] Eve SIlber from WEst Village August 17, 2007 - 11:20AM

  Some years ago I took a group of city students to see Def Poetry Jam on Broadway. We were fortunate to be a part of a Q&A with Russell Simmons. When a student asked why he made it, what it took, I was so disappointed to hear Russell say one word: "Luck". I thought a golden opportunity had been missed for my students who needed more inspiration than that. Sounds like he would answer the question different today. Am I right? I hope so.