What's Ahead for Jaycee and Her Girls

Reporter: They're Moving to Her Mom's Home; Expert: Trauma Will Prove "Overwhelming"; It's "Critical" to Keep Them from Media

(CBS)  Even though Jaycee Dugard, her two daughters and their family are said to be overjoyed to be back together, the horrible ordeal Jaycee and the girls went through will probably "overwhelm" them when it all starts to sink in, and take years to recover from, according to one expert.

And keeping them away from the media would be a huge help, the expert says.

Police say Jaycee, 29, was held captive and repeatedly raped in sheds and tents in the backyard of Phillip and Nancy Garrido's Antioch, Calif. home. Authorities say Phillip snatched Jaycee off the streets of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. 18 years ago. Jaycee and her two daughters, 15 and 11, both of whom police say were fathered by Garrido, were freed last week.

Orange County Register reporter Greg Hardesty, who interviewed Jaycee's aunt, said on "The Early Show" Friday that Jaycee and family are apparently dwelling on the here-and-now and experiencing boundless happiness at being back together, putting the "darkness" of those 18 years aside.

The aunt, Tina Dugard, is the sister of Jaycee's mother, Terry Probyn, and witnessed the reunion.

On "The Early Show Saturday Edition," Hardesty told co-anchor Chris Wragge he thinks "they realize the horror of the reality and it has set in, but I think they're so busy reconnecting and enjoying the connections that they're sort of pushed to the side a little bit. But they're under no illusion that this will be an easy time moving forward."

Hardesty said, "The message they wanted me to get out, I believe, is that these two young girls aren't some, you know, wild children running in the wilderness with no education, that they're very literate, that they're reasonably well-adjusted given their upbringing."

How is that possible?

"I think that Jaycee is a remarkable mother. I think she had to have exceptional parenting skills to raise her daughters to the extent that she has. And she got that from her mother."

Hardesty says it's his understanding that the Dugards "plan to remain low-profile for awhile, but, within a couple of weeks, they plan to relocate" to Probyn's Southern California home in Riverside.

But psychologist and author Dr. Susan Bartell told Wragge, "It would probably be better for her to be in a different place, although for some people, it is better to go back, to revisit and to have the chance to work through a little bit what they had been through.

"I think what's most important, though, is for (Jaycee) her to really stay out of the spotlight -- I think that's critical -- and to really focus, for all three of them to focus on their healing, to get into counseling as soon as possible, and to stay away from the media as much as they possible can."

Bartell says that, even though Jaycee and her daughters may be dong well now, being reintroduced to society, and all that went on in that backyard, will be "overwhelming for all three of them, for her, for the kids, very overwhelming. The idea that they are having this reunion with their family is wonderful, but what's going to happen gradually, as the weeks and months go ahead, is the trauma is going to begin to overwhelm them, and it's going to take a very, very long time to heal from this. And they're going to need to gradually learn to adjust to being back home, to learn to live in a different kind of environment. They might even miss where they were for all those years, weirdly enough."

Not only that, Bartell continued, but, "I suspect it will be even hard for them to talk to their family about it. They're gonna want to protect their family and just let their family feel the joy of being with them. So, they're not even going to want to share that with hair family, and rather, (will) want it to talk to their therapists about it."

[926295]

I sincerely hope that some wealthy people with love in their hearts with no agenda for profit will anonymously donate enough money for Jaycee and her family to get the help they need outside the watchful eye of the media. Let them come forward if or when they are ready, hopefully happy and healthy again.

[angieschne08]

I wonder if Jaycee and her girls will choose to live their lives in the public eye and give interviews to various talk shows like Oprah and Dr. Phil?

[anniewarbucks]

Jaycee and her daughters need some time to heal. Though she should publicly thank all of those that have made her disappearance public and helped to raise funds to help defray the cost of all the supplies to keep America informed of her situation. This can be in the form of a Facebook Thank You or a public thank you on Americas Most Wanted or the evening news. She has to decide whether or not to become a celebrity or stay in the background. It would be a good subject for a book or a made for TV movie. She and her daughters need her rest from this harrowing experience and to finish off her schooling. She will come out to the rest of the world in due time.

[bluharley]

The bloodhounds (media) will find them and dig dig dig. If I had the money, I'd buy them a nice place in the woods, where they would be comfortable, and let them find their way into society. We're all hungry to know the details, but they just came from never-never land. The bloodhounds won't rest until they find them. Sad...

[sam-kiley]

bonjour
jaycée et ses petites filles ont eu beaucoup de chance, elles ont échappé aux griffes de ce fou qu'est garrido, elle aura besoin de temps pour réapprendre a vivre normalement, mais elle y arrivera avec l'aide de sa famille, une aide psychologique par des professionnels est nécessaire,
avec tou ça ..eh bien le meilleur est et sera toujours a venir, courage jaycée ton cauchemar est fini..bis au revoir

[memoritz]

Jaycee Dugard Trust Fund
C/O Viewtech Financial Services
PO Box 596
Atwood, CA 92811

This is the most important information the media can give us about Jaycee and the hardest to find. CBS is the only network site with it on the front page. Most sites reveal it only through a search and others don't at all. Yet the media fall all over themselves looking for the next bit of depravity to report. This family has known so much evil, especially Jaycee. Let's all keep sending prayers, good thoughts and wishes and continue directing a force of good their way as they go through the complicated process of healing from such abuse. If you can spare it, send a few dollars to her trust so money is the least of their concerns. I found that contributing to Jaycee's trust was helpful to me, as well. I just wanted to do something nice for her, after seeing her 11-year-old self, and learning all she had been through and all that was ahead of her. Sending $20, which to me is a lot, gave me a little sense that I was helping, along with the other contributors, to make her new adult life, as well as the new lives of her daughters, just a little bit easier, and a little bit nicer.

Here's the address again:(If you go to the Viewtech web site there is a link that explains the trust better.)
Jaycee Dugard Trust Fund
C/O Viewtech Financial Services
PO Box 596
Atwood, CA 92811

[AttentionDeficit]

"Don't worry everyone... Some how, one way or another, the conservative media (fox) will find a way to blame all this on Obama."

PJG_R: How did this become about politics?

[PJG_R]

Don't worry everyone... Some how, one way or another, the conservative media (fox) will find a way to blame all this on Obama.

[erasmus111]

When the media gets a hold of something they just keeping going and going and going with it. It's time to STOP. Leave them alone!

I heard someone on TV say that it could be a long time before they gave and interview. Why should they have to give an interview? It's nobodies business but theirs.

[tinamariepal]

If I could tell Ms. Jaycee and the family one thing it would be this...."the truth does set you free...no matter what it is ...talk, talk , talk, about everything....it will heal when nothing else can....The key is talking to the right people....The support system has to be there or all efforts will fail... I did not have it. Lots of trials and errors were made..failed marriages...failed friendships, so many trust issues, I had to figure out how to do this on my own (actually the credit goes to me GOD) and then I became very hungry for life at age 38....I love my work (20 years of floral design) ...it's very therapeutic... but I kept educating myself....I kept wanting to know more about everything...Then it became as life was like Christmas everyday...I could find a new present everyday..of hope, knowledge, learning computers and software, learning how to write letters, photography, learning everything I could...I developed a Christian 12 step recovery program a few years back at a little mission where people were not strong enough to make it anywheres else...someone else encouraged me to do it...I couldn't believe that I was actually facilitating such a group...I was able to identify and share and speak on just about any emotion or problem they had...They were so hungry for someone that was like them...that understood.....I have met alot of good people that just needed a little help...I support the arts as this is truly a way to release yourself (so I feel) ...well, I will again say thank you....and God Bless


I know that this is going to sound crazy....but I could not heal until I let go of the hate for everyone and everything in life that happened to me.(as some of you read my story)and then I had to keep constant maintenance on the hate so it wouldn't comeback...I hope that she and the children are able to let go of yesterday to see how brite tomorrow is for all them.

[tinamariepal]

a whole new set of circumstances developed...he came to my mothers house and got my baby...and kidnapped him....child was gone for 7 or 8 months....then he was arrested for something unrelated and had the child well rehearsed to tell them that his mother was dead...well they finally got my name out of my baby's mouth and realized what was going to unfold...In 1984 there was no knowledge or how to handle these types of situations...They place my child in a foster home ...I had 5 psychiatrists working with me...it was awful...I was like an animal that had been in cage that someone opened a door and turned me loose...Everything happening so fast...people not knowing what to do except the best they could...I was sentenced so I thought at the time to a life of secrecy ....shame....not ever having anyone that I could talk to about this that really understood....I just wanted to die but knew my religion taught that you could not go to heaven if you committed suicide....I prayed for death on so many occasions during captivity and after for many years...I did not know why I would do the things that I did nor did my family understand.....I felt like a monster ..like a Frankenstein that had to keep my secret...because I did not want to hurt anyone...my son...my mother...my family...poor things were uneducated and did not know what to do....often I was asked the same questions that are being asked of Ms. Jaycee. I tried to talk and tell people every now and then and it would hurt them so bad they would sob unmercifully. People treated me like a weirdo....if I told so eventually I learned how to fabricate stories about who I was and where I came from....I am now 43 years old tomorrow...I have kept secrets for 30 years....I prayed so many times to be able to help someone...I watch the news and when these things come up about missing children...it horrifies me...I just want to help them understand what happens and what to expect for the next coming years...In my case I lived...but only in body.......I chose this time because the burden was to heavy...not to speak out...I have watched the cases thru the years....and would just cry because somehow ....sometimes there were questions that people couldn?t understand the answers to....so it was easier to just think negatively...It is now 30 years later and a lot of scars ....but I wanted to somehow get this message to Ms. Jaycee Dugard.....and anyone else that couldn't ever tell or understand what happened to them...I pray that the media and people will be gentle with her...and those children....but God in heaven knows she and the girls will need some serious spiritual and psychological guidance as well as her family. My case is a little different...but I promise you.....the feelings are the same...I'm so happy to see the breakthroughs that are being made. I never had the chance to tell my story...I think a lot of it was because everybody kept quiet because of the roll they all played in it....I would be happy for at the right time...no matter how long...for Ms. Jaycee to hear my story....I too developed a bond with my captor...I shut down mentally and became someone else...to survive ...it wasn?t until I was 38 years old that I finally started breaking the ice...I am in school again...for certificate training of event planning and conference management...my husband has a 5 star restaurant that I help out there....I have a small flower shop...next door to the restaurant?he is very well known in our community and there will be a lot of people that will recognize who I am...but it will all be worth it...to maybe help someone after something this traumatic happens...I have life experience....I had to wade thru so many opinions and emotions...I was told that I would either end institutionalized for the rest of my life or commit suicide.....I really feel like I won....I really won this race...I am so blessed with so much wisdom and knowledge just about how life works and how it happens....how to forgive myself and others so that I was able to move on...negative emotion will never let you progress to the next step....I learned that I'm ok to feel the things that I felt...that I'm not a monster and there is true hope and peace that comes even after something this horrible happens. I would like to share my story with anyone that would like to hear it...it is truly an amazing one of fear, hate, disassociated , then on to strength, determination, courage, hope and peace. It has not been an easy road but I made it?I am going to leave an email address for anyone to contact me to learn more?God be with you Ms. Jaycee ,children, and families....My email address to use is [e-mail].

[tinamariepal]

My Story (Just the Beginning)

....I would like to introduce myself...My name is Tina Marie and I live in Shreveport La. I want to give you facts about myself because I want you to understand that I do not have a hoax story or am I a weirdo...Very far from it. I have a business and so does my husband ...I have 5 dogs, 1 child 27 years old, 2 grandchildren and a wonderful life. In 1979 I was introduced to a man that was supposed to be my father....I had lived with my mother and a step father for 10 years...Prior to this. I lived with my grandparents and my aunt...My mother was 17 years old when she gave birth to me... She was not married...thru my young life I had always knew that I was different or really made to feel different because my last name was different from the other children. As I said ...at 13...I was introduced to the man that was supposed to be my birth father...I was actually introduced to what I thought then to be the devil himself...From the 1st day...he let me know that he made me and that he could do whatever he wanted with me...and hurt me very bad and told me this was the way it was going to be...I was in immediate shock and did not know how to tell my mother...I had never had sex was never before in an environment where things like this happened..... For the next 3 months I would run from this man trying to get away while my mother thought that it was going to be a relationship there between him and her...She had left my step father because of the abuse she received and so now she was starting down a new road to a new life in the wrong direction.....I was excited kind of for having my own new dad....since everybody else had one but I knew there was something wrong...I was a very meek and humble child unlike my brothers and sister. He hit me tortured me when my mother wasn't looking and demanded that I give him what he wanted or he would leave and I would never know him....I just couldn't believe that this was happening...Finally 1 month later on November 3 1979...he raped me while my mother was in the next room ....I was a virgin...when he was finished...he went into the next room and told my mother of what he did...and told her that I wasn't enough that he wanted her and me.....My mothered was so mad as if I had done something wrong?.she wanted to kill me...they fought and he left with me to his mother's house?.my mother came the next day and that day my life changed forever....They called me into the room ..I felt something was not right but I dare not ever disobey because we would get a whipping for that?..I entered the room and my mother and him both had sex with me...this continued on a few times ..I can finally understand what happened in my mind....My mother could not live with what she had done...so she left me there with him...with his mother and he also had an 18 year old wife that was pregnant...He was 36 years old...So for a short while I went to school in the daytime and was a slave at night...He even made the 18 year old sleep with me....my mother had phoned sometime in December and said it was time for her to come and get me that we needed to put our family back together without him....she was in south Louisiana where we had been raised.....they fought on the phone and he said she could not have me...That night he took me to a secluded wooded area and beat me so bad...he would choke me until I was nearly to pass out and then he would let me breathe. He told me that I ever tried...ever ever tried to get away...he would kill me....that there was no place for me to run to......the next day he packed my things...and he kidnapped me...he made his wife go with us...she eventually got away in Corpus Christi, Texas....I ask her to please let me go with her...she refused..... I was so scared....By this time I was already traumatized and spent the next 5 years in captivity....moving from one place to another....had a child...he let me go to the doctor once and I had the baby in Moore City Oklahoma, he removed me from the hospital quickly because they knew I wasn?t 18 years old...he kept us hidden in the woods near a lake and kept the babies milk cold in the cool water...there is just too much to tell...but I was captive for 5 years...brutally raped and beaten...brainwashed....when I finally was strong enough at 18 to run away from him..

[woeisme1]

What's Ahead for Jaycee and Her Girls
---------

Life is what's ahead. Life.

[arohanui-2009]

The Smart family in Salt Lake City got it right as far as the press were concerned when Elizabeth came home thank heavens. Hopefully two things will happen: first the press will back off (as if there is any hope of that happening) and secondly the family close ranks and do the same great job that the Smarts did.
They were victims of two evil predators and the grisly details of what they endured should NOT be for public consumption. Yea and the moon is made of cheese.......

[MelJM]

? I read a story several days ago that they were aware that moving into the mom's home would be a problem because of the Paparazzi; so, I'm surprized at what I read here. I split my donation between "immediate needs" and the trust fund with the hope that there would be enough for them to get out and around and enjoy themselves: a nice restaurant, movie, clothes, walk on the beach,.... It sounds like there's been "value deprivation" that needs to be corrected. But, I don't see how this could work if the Paparazzi are on their case. Maybe the reporter's "understanding" was not correct.

BTW, I don't understand why CBS isn't showing the "immediate needs" donation information; I found it via another route. Maybe "immediate needs money" won't be needed when the trust fund is in operation and the collected checks go into it--I don't know.

I've not seen anything about this, but I'm wondering if the girls even have birth certificates.

[cjohnthan]

you lost the fact that: the 2 beast is manslaught. nobody will believe what grido said he is the victim! whah! these human beings are really the america fundation!

[rhs648]

People are able to adjust and adapt to their environment. Some people assume that Jaycee and her daughters must be maladjusted and psychologically damaged because of their experiences. It is very possible that they are well adjusted people in spite of their experiences. My older son went to medical school for four years followed by a year of internship and four years of residency. After he finished, I asked him if he felt that he had sacrificed a lot or felt that he missed doing things during those years. His answer was, "not at all. All of us were in the same boat worrying about things like the next exam." As a parent, that made me feel better. Again, to most of us, Jaycee and her girls were living a horrible existence. It may not have seemed like that for them because that is all they knew.

[stryker54]

leave them alone. best for all.

[carolhill814]

Thank God they found her alive but now all of us have to back away and leave her alone until she and her children are ready to go out into the open and speak about what there life was like and that won't happen for a very long time if ever.
This happened to me not quiet like what happened to her but my brother-in-law raped me from the age of twelve (12) to the age of twenty-one (21) and I couldn't get away from him. He was a teacher and he got off early and he would come to my home and call my mother at work and would ask her if he could take me out and she would say OK. My mother never ever thought in those days of which was in the 50's and 60's before it was even spoken about.
When he was in our home he would never leave me alone always afraid I would talk and I never did because he told me that if I spoke about what he doing to me he kill my family starting with my mother and let me watch so I never ever dared to speak about it he finally stopped when I got married the first time. He was still scared I would talk so he went right into the priesthood where he knew he would protected.
I never spoke about until many many years later after I had lost my first husband, parts of my family and many many good jobs because of what happened to me but I couldn't understand why I was the way I was I had a horrible temper to keep people as far away as possible so I wouldn't talk.
When I finally got the help I needed the person told me I was the rape and the rape was me there was no separating it in my mind because for years he told the same thing he would kill my family and let me watch so I know what this child will be going through when everthing settles down and life will go back to "normaL". It took me years and years and even to this day I have to careful because sometimes if I am really tired or my mind is somewhere else I can feel that temper coming back so everyday I have to careful.
Mind you I am in my 60's and I can still remember everything he did to me as though it is yesterday so this child and her children have a very very long road ahead and that is fact everyone has to remember.
This is not a story this is real life and that is a fact.

[kirkules]

Carol, I pray you find peace.

[sandy19731]

Carol,
I'm not sure you have a competent counselor. Is he/she licensed in your state. Telling you that you are the "rape" is incredibly bad form. You are you, you did not die! Now get a good licensed counselor. You can check for one at the American Counseling Association's website.

[curiously1]

Unbelievable story ! Almost sounds like an improbable novel ! This young woman is an amazing person to have even survived this. Garrido should be "terminated". I see no difference between him and a roach. Our softness in dealing with criminals is costing us dearly and is bringing our society down both morally and economically.

[carolhill814]

This is the kind of story that makes me ill to my soul.

I have been trying to change the law from rape to manslaugter and nobody is listening to me. I have been raped starting at the age of twelve (12) through the age by my brother-in-law and the moment he did the person I was going to be died and right after I was totally a different person. I went from a loving child to an animal not allowing anyone close to me or I would scream always afraid of speaking. Because he told me that if I spoke about what he was doing to me he would kill my family starting with my mother and let me watch.
I would hear my family talking and asking each other what it the matter with Carol she has changed totally but never ask me but I don't think I would even told them because of fear he instilled in me.

But if anyone knew anyone with power and could get that law from rape to manslaughter I would love the help.

Thank You!!!

[Personage]

I see a difference.
A roach would never do this to another of its kind.

[gdnordley]

Greetings. We should keep in mind that Jaycee herself might be reading these posts. We really know very little, and, as Michigamme points out, that "knowledge" is unreliable at best. It might be a good thing for her to write down a few notes about her experience now to ground herself and for later use. There will likely be a trial in her future and, given the opportunity for financial security for herself and her children, a book. Life is unfair, but one must still live it. For now, I can only hope that she gets the time and space to adapt to all the new changes. I suspect she will be good at that.