An invisible injury might cause more long-lasting pain for a person than we expect. Thuy has carried her unhealed pain for many years. Like many little girls, she believed in fairy tales and wished to be a princess in her family. She wondered why all her parent’s classmates always called their children “pretty princess or adorable prince” and yet she never heard that from her father or mother.
Thuy longed to be a princess because a princess would not get hit or scolded by her parents for no reason. A princess earns love and care from her parent and every family member. Thuy never experienced this in her childhood. In her memory, only continuous castigation and neglect exist without any warm gesture or kind words from her family. Therefore, this small child became quiet, anxious, and closed her world to everyone. During her school times, she found it hard to stay focused or listen to what people saying when her minds always whispered her parents’ yelling.
“I’m always insecure about myself, I feel I am not good enough or pretty enough. Maybe I am my parents’ mistake so I can never get their love. I still remember their hard words and how many wounds I had. Those wound still ache even when I get older.”
Suffering the childhood trauma, Thuy tried to seek help from many different places. However, none of them were the right place for her to heal. Finally she found Hagar Vietnam through social media and reached out for support. Hagar’s psychological counseling sessions have provided her a safe space to be heard and cope with her deep fear.
Thuy’s made great progress on her healing journey when she joined The Red Lotus group (Hagar’s former and current clients group counseling). She had more chances to share her story and receive more support not only from Hagar but also from her peers.
“I’ve acquired the habit of discussing what I would learn the next day on Wednesday, learning on Thursday, and on Friday discussing what I’ve learned and how I could apply the knowledge. I was told lots of stories and real-life experiences of my peers, and I’ve realized that there were ways to prevent and solve the situations I encountered. I should keep calm and think straight.”
No need to be a “princess” to anyone, Thuy of today values her worth and has more belief in herself.
Hagar pursues the highest degree of care and protection for each of its clients. To protect the identity of our clients, names have been changed and images do not necessarily represent the individual profiled.
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By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.
Help us transform lives
Donate now
By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.
Help us transform lives
Donate now
By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.
Help us transform lives
Donate now
By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.