sharing our experiences

Jeanne's Story

Although my high school principle was asking me if I was having any problems and offering me his help, I sensed little compassion in his voice.

I wondered why this was the only note of concern that I had received from any staff member in my two years at that school. Except for the gibes from my classmates, no one had commented on the almost six months of school I had missed while suffering from extreme emotional distress and a stress-induced illness. I was not aware of any attempt to halt the racially motivated physical and emotional battering to which my younger siblings were routinely subjected, and about which I constantly worried. I needed help but I was wary of making matters worse.

As new African immigrants in small town Canada, we faced some harsh realities. Were my state of physiological distress to become public knowledge, I could expect little compassion or understanding for the years of abuse that had caused it. Instead I would be judged a failure. My personal tragedy could easily become a new weapon in the hands of my tormentors. I declined my principal's aid. He seemed relieved.

I realized I would have to transcend this abuse through my own efforts. I turned to Dr Carol Weeke's book, Hope and Help for Your Nerves. It taught me deep breathing and relaxation techniques that helped me gradually recover from my anxiety attacks, heart palpitations and agoraphobia. I learned to selectively concentrate on individual tasks and began to methodically and systemically tackle my school work one assignment at a time.

Three months later, I graduated and left the town for good. The most poignant lesson I took with me was how to survive and triumph in a solitary struggle.