tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post7136498963788600677..comments2024-03-27T08:35:16.296-04:00Comments on Lemonade & Kidneys: AftermathRuthWellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00022925821891020061noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-63207494900088913312008-06-06T10:55:00.000-04:002008-06-06T10:55:00.000-04:00Wow. What a terrible story - I'm glad you're hold...Wow. What a terrible story - I'm glad you're holding up okay.Magpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15460136246441367993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-84753770032371587592008-05-21T09:59:00.000-04:002008-05-21T09:59:00.000-04:00Everyone, thank you, again, for your supportive wo...Everyone, thank you, again, for your supportive words. I'm hoping Cindy will come back and see this comment, as she didn't leave an email address. Cindy, you can email me directly if you go to the top right of this blog, click on "my profile", and then click on "email". Send me a note; I'd love to talk to you.RuthWellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00022925821891020061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-68824531929761073502008-05-20T13:59:00.000-04:002008-05-20T13:59:00.000-04:00Ruth, Somehow I found you while searching Google f...Ruth, Somehow I found you while searching Google for new articles on the Gerald Klever case! I can't believe you were in the courtroom on Friday - I was there too, and hope that someday all the girls/women might have a chance to meet. I too was a victim of this pervert from 1969 - 1970, at age 14-15. I too lived in Swarthmore, was a neighbor, and babysat regularly for the Klevers. For many years I thought there were only several girls from Swarthmore who had unfortunate experiences with him -I think we would be terribly saddened to know just how many girls he molested or abused over the last 40+ years. After the court case last Friday, several of the victims and church members from Springfield Presbyterian gathered at the church for an informal gathering. There was another Swarthmore babysitter there as well as some girls from the church. It was a cathartic experience for us all to meet and share some thoughts. I believe the church will have a future gathering - I hope to be able to meet you at some point.<BR/><BR/>What is very ironic is that I am a Kidney Transplant Social Worker. From your posted comments it seems as though you are taking good care of yourself and are doing well physically! I am also involved professionally in organ donor awareness activities. I really believe that our paths have crossed for a reason - there is too much coincidence in this situation to say that it "just happened accidentally."<BR/><BR/>Your account of the court proceedings was "right on" and I found the whole experience to be very emotional. I still am trying to close the page on this situation - but it has been haunting me for 38 years - I am now 52. I think it will take some time.<BR/><BR/>I really hope to have a chance to talk to you soon.<BR/>CindyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-40282017035736992112008-05-20T10:24:00.000-04:002008-05-20T10:24:00.000-04:00Ann said it better than I could, but I will repeat...Ann said it better than I could, but I will repeat one thing she said which can't be stated often enough.<BR/><BR/>You are amazing.<BR/><BR/>MarciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-18554427151851605302008-05-20T09:54:00.000-04:002008-05-20T09:54:00.000-04:00Ruth, your strength has been inspiring. I too was ...Ruth, your strength has been inspiring. I too was aghast that he got a slap on the wrist. And I'm glad that his health is horrible - I hope he is in a lot of misery in his last days on Earth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-15005417360731591322008-05-20T08:45:00.000-04:002008-05-20T08:45:00.000-04:00I second what DG says--it's not a question of degr...I second what DG says--it's not a question of degree. Abuse is abuse and the damage is there, the betrayal is there, and it's there for a lifetime. You can never get back what was taken from you.<BR/><BR/>I don't think the abusers ever fully realize that what they've done is wrong. They convince themselves that they're doing it out of love, at least that's what my abuser did. :-( In my case, it was made worse because he is the father of my childhood bestfriend and was close friends with my parents. So, I continued to see him throughout the years when he and his wife came to events at my parent's house. No, I never told my family. I felt that it was my friend's story to tell. There was also the feeling of not wanting to upset my parents or burden the with guilt--they thought they were sending me off for weekends with people they could trust. Anyway, seeing him throughout the years, there was never any sense that he felt any remorse or any understanding of what he did. From my reading and talking with other victims of sexual abuse, that seems to be the "norm", if there's anything normal about this.<BR/><BR/>I hope this helps you and the other victims find some healing. So sad that there were so many victims of this man, but so good that you've found each other and have connected with each other. You will come through this stronger. <BR/><BR/>Take care of yourself. You are amazing.<BR/><BR/>AnnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040457102256279646.post-90215459016279988832008-05-20T08:26:00.000-04:002008-05-20T08:26:00.000-04:00Just because you didn't endure what others did doe...Just because you didn't endure what others did does not discount that what he did to you was wrong. I know you know that. This man is as creepy and vile as they come, in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>It still makes me wonder. He gets a light sentence. They give Lindsey and Paris and Nicole these teensy sentences for drinking too much and driving. And yet, a man can victimize children (and in some cases RUIN THEIR LIVES) and that's all he gets? Disgusting.<BR/><BR/>I am glad you are doing so well. We're here for you if you need anything. And enjoy your trip!Domestic Goddesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05034924702019610611noreply@blogger.com