Since watching "Captive: A Journey of Hope and Survival" with ABC's Robin Roberts, it confirmed what I believe to be a key factor to rising above insurmountable trauma.
Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus were kidnapped and held captive for ten years by Ariel Castro, the father of Amanda and Gina's friend. Amanda was taken the day before her 17th birthday and is now 29 years old. They were tortured, chained, and starved. A bucket was their toilet and they were allowed one shower a week - with their abductor.
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| The house where they were held captive for 10 years |
From the first day of Amanda's kidnapping, she kept a diary. Over the years she used every bit of paper she acquired to make her journal entries; i.e. take-out food bags. The journal helped keep her sane and was priceless when writing her memoir.