Comments on: Laura (Burke) Stirling

By: miriam c.

miriam c. — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:01:15 +0000

i just wanted to say, that i know what you went through i also had a breakdown about 4 years ago. it was as though i was reliving my life in Fanda only years later. i had to get counselling and my therapist told me that a part of me got stuck in FANDA, i grew up fisically, mentally, but emotionally and spiritually i was still like an 11 year old child angry and confused. that part of me that got stuck there manifested when i found myself in a situation like fanda. it was a very difficult time for me and i often have to fight to not let myself be that child in many situations.

By: Viv Palmer/Harvey

Viv Palmer/Harvey — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:57:42 +0000

Laura,
I am so glad you have been able to tell this much of your story. That is a powerful step towards healing, but only a step. As a survivor of Mamou Alliance Academy in Guinee, (then) FR. West Africa I can relate to much of the spiritual, physical and sexual terrorism in which you’ve lived.
What you and others have experienced is criminal behavior. My dream and prayer is that these in-house criminals be brought to justice..somehow, someday.
Together our voices will make it impossible for these perps to hide. Keep talking..keep telling your story and stick with it through the hard times..OK? viv

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:19:35 +0000

Laura, thank you for posting your story!
I can attest to the dorm parents you speak of. The dorm dad was a very angry person – I can remember him just shaking in rage sometimes. I remember vividly, a time when he thought I was guilty of something that I wasn’t – he came barreling down into the girl’s wing of the dorm, shouting, red-faced and shaking – I actually cowered, I was so afraid.
His wife also told me that I would become a lesbian – because some of the girls and I were square-dancing in our bedroom.
I’m sorry for the things you’ve gone through, and I’m so grateful to my God for bringing you through them.
Love,
Bonnie