Hello Donald:
I am so glad you were able to get your story on TV. I saw the program last night and am very impressed how you could show how deeply his abuse affected you and you are still working through it towards healing. The writing of your book, and the making of this program, I'm sure have been great leaps for you in your healing process. Even going out into the woods with your brother Ron to see his 10-year conservation project was difficult for you with its horrific memories, but commendably, both of you wanted to go see it for each other's sake.
I remember from your book, that your brother Ron harboured deep anger from the abuse but it was nice to see how he is healing as well and he came across in the program as overcoming his anger.
I am familiar with that area of the province and some other events you mentioned in your book. I remember years ago being horrified when I heard of the murder case in your congregation during that same time, and now to hear of the terrible abuse you and your family silently suffered during that same time period, is just eye-opening to say the least, to the corruptions of the WTS I once viewed as a pure, clean, safe haven.
The WTS can say all it likes in trying to defend its lack of actions by saying, "how to handle abuse was not well-known at that time", but you made it very clear after the elders wouldn't do anything about it and sent you back home to your abuser, you finally got to realize it was a crime by reading "Ann Landers". Well if she knew it was a crime, it obviously was an established law, and the WTS should have been up on "Caesar's laws" at that time as much as they are today. Glen Howe was their champion lawyer and would have been very aware what the laws were, so that excuse cannot 'hold water' in my opionion.
Thank you for your courage and your families' too, in talking so openly about your terrible ordeal in growing up. This is one more skeleton in the closet that is coming back to haunt the WTS for its failure to "take care of His sheep".
Had Enough