“A heartbreaking and riveting accurate view of the ordeal of adoptive parents coping with the devastation of reactive attachment disorder. They struggle to find comprehensive treatment to address their daughter's underlying pain and are confronted with the fragmented bewildering mental health care system which is not only daunting to navigate but creates more suffering. These parents are courageous in their determination and even when confronting that love is not enough, they share their sorrow and courage in a way that will fortify other families.”
~ Nancy Rappaport MD, Assistant professor of psychiatry Harvard Medical School and author of In Her Wake: A Child Psychiatrist Explores the Mystery of Her Mother's Suicide
“As someone who has dealt with parents of runaway teenagers, I know the feeling that no one in this state knows what to do or how to help. To get this information out to the public should be a priority. We need to keep in mind that most runaways have loving parents whose hearts are breaking every moment they don't know where their child is; parents who are living through this NOW and feel as if they are the only ones. This book will help them not feel so alone. Thank you, Bob and Patty, for having the courage to relive this nightmare so people can see we need to fix the system.”
~ Debbie Savoia, Massachusetts Community VOICES
“Amazing and powerful, and unfortunately, a story that continually plays out within our system on a daily basis: a family desperate to find help for the child they’ve loved unconditionally, and a system that fails them. Once a child is considered an endangered runaway, the case is automatically placed on the back burner. This book is a testament of the problems parents of troubled teens face in a system that doesn’t know how to cope. It’s also a valuable tool for parents facing the same issues with their own kids.”
~ Laurie Myers, Massachusetts Community VOICES
~ Nancy Rappaport MD, Assistant professor of psychiatry Harvard Medical School and author of In Her Wake: A Child Psychiatrist Explores the Mystery of Her Mother's Suicide
“As someone who has dealt with parents of runaway teenagers, I know the feeling that no one in this state knows what to do or how to help. To get this information out to the public should be a priority. We need to keep in mind that most runaways have loving parents whose hearts are breaking every moment they don't know where their child is; parents who are living through this NOW and feel as if they are the only ones. This book will help them not feel so alone. Thank you, Bob and Patty, for having the courage to relive this nightmare so people can see we need to fix the system.”
~ Debbie Savoia, Massachusetts Community VOICES
“Amazing and powerful, and unfortunately, a story that continually plays out within our system on a daily basis: a family desperate to find help for the child they’ve loved unconditionally, and a system that fails them. Once a child is considered an endangered runaway, the case is automatically placed on the back burner. This book is a testament of the problems parents of troubled teens face in a system that doesn’t know how to cope. It’s also a valuable tool for parents facing the same issues with their own kids.”
~ Laurie Myers, Massachusetts Community VOICES
Very good story.,
February 20, 2012
By marie
This story is a firsthand account of the search for Cecilia, a missing runaway child. It tells of the love of the parents for Cecilia, and the lack of support from the Massachusetts Mental Health System. Despite the many warnings to the caretakers, she was able to walk away from a secure facility into the freezing January cold with a friend and only the clothes on her back. As I was
reading this story, I felt the fear the parents were feeling as if I were searching for my own child. I recommend this book. Once I started reading, I didn't stop until I got to the last page.
Heartbreaking and Enlightening,
February 22, 2012
By Dorothy Sabourin
This book was an eye-opener into the world of mental health facilities and attitudes of law enforcement once they hear the word "runaway." The fact that this child ran away from a locked psyciatric facility made no impact on most law enforcement people. This book was obviously written through pain and guilt (underserved) of the adoptive father. Clearly this child needed and deserved better care from the mental health providers and her adoptive parents could not have done more to help her. I'm sure their love and devotion has enabled Cecelia to have a better life than she would have lived had she remained in the foster
care system. These children suffer unimaginable abuse and neglect and sense of being unloveable and unworthy of love so ingrained in their early lives that it causes such severe mental illness. Far too many doctors and facilities are not familiar enough with these patients to provide the proper care. My heart goes out to Bob, Patty and Cecelia. Thank you for writing this amazing book and bringing to light these heartbreaking issues.
Frustrating but Riveting Story,
February 24, 2012
By Terrier Fan
Bob Begin's riveting tale of a loving couple's Herculean battle to save the life to their beautiful daughter in the face of an arrogant and incompetent juvenile mental health industry is a must read for all parents with "at risk" children. The book is very well written and nearly impossible to put down. The author's voice is heard very clearly throughout the book. His message is very clear...If you put blind faith in the juvenile health "experts", you are putting your child in extreme jeopardy.
Then She Ran,
February 24, 2012
By Noval
This book is a must read for anyone with children, period. It will make you see things from a different perspective than what you already know. It draws you in and is very hard to put down. Best book I've read in a long time.
You can feel the pain and anguish in the authors heart.,
March 1, 2012
By Geri Chambers
I never put the book down until I finished it. I thought it very brave of the author to share such a personal time in his life. I could feel the compassion and the pain in he and his wife's struggle with the Medical and Legal Community, who tragically failed him and his family, in his fight to save his daughter from herself. I think the author allowed you to feel his most intimate feelings of
the loss of his daughter's love and his struggle to find her and bring her home. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is in the life, and affects the life, of a child who is slipping away, before they run. I think this book will help the medical and legal community to gains some insight into the pain and torment they cause the families of these lost children. I think the book will also give parents the strength to not give up and know they are not alone.
Then She Ran,
March 6, 2012
By Louise
Couldn't put this one down. A gripping and heartbreaking story and a must read for any parent. A real eye opener regarding the inner workings of the Massachusetts Health Care System. Kudos to Bob and Patty Begin for bringing their story to the public. Highly recommended read.
Then She Ran,
March 10, 2012
By Linda
This book was an unbelievable read and very well written. This book is a heart-wrenching story of what the Begin family went through. It was written from Bob's perspective and details the love he has for his daughter as well as his total frustration with the Massachusetts system that failed to protect her. My heart goes out to the entire family as well as to anyone who has had to
experience this heart-wrenching situation.I highly recommend this book to anyone. Bob - well done.
Then She Ran,
May 10, 2012
By Rhonda in Nova Scotia
Reading this heart wrenching story is a must for not only parents but the
public in general. From beginning to end you just cannot put it down. I read
this all in one evening and will be a great help to any parents that are at a
loss as to what to do if found in the same or similar curcumstances.
Then She Ran,
July 4th 2013
by Ellen
Bob, I just finished "Then She Ran" and wanted to thank you for
telling this story. It must have been wrenching to get this all on paper, given
all the anger, hurt, frustration, love, and grief that was wrapped up in the
tale. It was gripping and moving -- and I am so glad ends in a positive way for
you and your family.
The story hit me particularly hard as I am also an adoptive parent. We
adopted our daughter at 5 1/2 months from a russian orphanage. I was terrified
about RAD and desperate to get her out of the orphanage before 6m, when the risk
for RAD would climb. We were incredibly fortunate to just manage it.
In a way it was the specter of RAD that kept us from adopting another
child. We were in the process to adopt again but the social worker told me I
was 'too ambivalent' because I was worried about how a child with RAD would
affect our daughter (who doesn't have RAD). So essentially the social worker
rejected us as parents of a second child because I had researched RAD and knew
how difficult the impact would be on our family, and was honest about my
concerns.
In any case, there were ultimately some other reasons as well that we did
not pursue a second adoption, but your book brought all of those events from
years ago (our daughter is now 19) back to me, and the prominence of RAD in
those events.
I really appreciated the passion and love that comes through in your book,
and I am in awe that you and Patty could carry on in the face of such
difficulty, and such grief. we are all indebted to you for hanging in there to
save your daughter, and then, despite all you've been through, reaching out to
so many with your dogs.
I am constantly amazed, inspired, and impressed by the incredible people I
meet through Dog BONES. You and Patty are on that list-- thanks for who you are
in the world.
I hope to see you at the fall event, should your demanding schedule permit.
Best wishes with school. Please say hi to Patty for me.
Ellen
a walk together, November 2,
2013
By
Ksyusha
To hear your story breaks my already broken heart as I walk in your shoes
currently. It's the frustration that this illness is so difficult to find
effective treatment. Relationships are just so intimidating to children with
RAD so it's a constant push and pull with the loved ones. To feel so rejected
after loving your child who doesn't have the capacity to feel these emotions is
exhausting and devastating.
Your journey was painful, but you weathered the
storm. Your ending gives hope to us in your shoes. The journey may not have
gone as planned, but to know new or different dreams do exist is
comforting.
God bless you..Celia is blessed to have you.
February 20, 2012
By marie
This story is a firsthand account of the search for Cecilia, a missing runaway child. It tells of the love of the parents for Cecilia, and the lack of support from the Massachusetts Mental Health System. Despite the many warnings to the caretakers, she was able to walk away from a secure facility into the freezing January cold with a friend and only the clothes on her back. As I was
reading this story, I felt the fear the parents were feeling as if I were searching for my own child. I recommend this book. Once I started reading, I didn't stop until I got to the last page.
Heartbreaking and Enlightening,
February 22, 2012
By Dorothy Sabourin
This book was an eye-opener into the world of mental health facilities and attitudes of law enforcement once they hear the word "runaway." The fact that this child ran away from a locked psyciatric facility made no impact on most law enforcement people. This book was obviously written through pain and guilt (underserved) of the adoptive father. Clearly this child needed and deserved better care from the mental health providers and her adoptive parents could not have done more to help her. I'm sure their love and devotion has enabled Cecelia to have a better life than she would have lived had she remained in the foster
care system. These children suffer unimaginable abuse and neglect and sense of being unloveable and unworthy of love so ingrained in their early lives that it causes such severe mental illness. Far too many doctors and facilities are not familiar enough with these patients to provide the proper care. My heart goes out to Bob, Patty and Cecelia. Thank you for writing this amazing book and bringing to light these heartbreaking issues.
Frustrating but Riveting Story,
February 24, 2012
By Terrier Fan
Bob Begin's riveting tale of a loving couple's Herculean battle to save the life to their beautiful daughter in the face of an arrogant and incompetent juvenile mental health industry is a must read for all parents with "at risk" children. The book is very well written and nearly impossible to put down. The author's voice is heard very clearly throughout the book. His message is very clear...If you put blind faith in the juvenile health "experts", you are putting your child in extreme jeopardy.
Then She Ran,
February 24, 2012
By Noval
This book is a must read for anyone with children, period. It will make you see things from a different perspective than what you already know. It draws you in and is very hard to put down. Best book I've read in a long time.
You can feel the pain and anguish in the authors heart.,
March 1, 2012
By Geri Chambers
I never put the book down until I finished it. I thought it very brave of the author to share such a personal time in his life. I could feel the compassion and the pain in he and his wife's struggle with the Medical and Legal Community, who tragically failed him and his family, in his fight to save his daughter from herself. I think the author allowed you to feel his most intimate feelings of
the loss of his daughter's love and his struggle to find her and bring her home. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is in the life, and affects the life, of a child who is slipping away, before they run. I think this book will help the medical and legal community to gains some insight into the pain and torment they cause the families of these lost children. I think the book will also give parents the strength to not give up and know they are not alone.
Then She Ran,
March 6, 2012
By Louise
Couldn't put this one down. A gripping and heartbreaking story and a must read for any parent. A real eye opener regarding the inner workings of the Massachusetts Health Care System. Kudos to Bob and Patty Begin for bringing their story to the public. Highly recommended read.
Then She Ran,
March 10, 2012
By Linda
This book was an unbelievable read and very well written. This book is a heart-wrenching story of what the Begin family went through. It was written from Bob's perspective and details the love he has for his daughter as well as his total frustration with the Massachusetts system that failed to protect her. My heart goes out to the entire family as well as to anyone who has had to
experience this heart-wrenching situation.I highly recommend this book to anyone. Bob - well done.
Then She Ran,
May 10, 2012
By Rhonda in Nova Scotia
Reading this heart wrenching story is a must for not only parents but the
public in general. From beginning to end you just cannot put it down. I read
this all in one evening and will be a great help to any parents that are at a
loss as to what to do if found in the same or similar curcumstances.
Then She Ran,
July 4th 2013
by Ellen
Bob, I just finished "Then She Ran" and wanted to thank you for
telling this story. It must have been wrenching to get this all on paper, given
all the anger, hurt, frustration, love, and grief that was wrapped up in the
tale. It was gripping and moving -- and I am so glad ends in a positive way for
you and your family.
The story hit me particularly hard as I am also an adoptive parent. We
adopted our daughter at 5 1/2 months from a russian orphanage. I was terrified
about RAD and desperate to get her out of the orphanage before 6m, when the risk
for RAD would climb. We were incredibly fortunate to just manage it.
In a way it was the specter of RAD that kept us from adopting another
child. We were in the process to adopt again but the social worker told me I
was 'too ambivalent' because I was worried about how a child with RAD would
affect our daughter (who doesn't have RAD). So essentially the social worker
rejected us as parents of a second child because I had researched RAD and knew
how difficult the impact would be on our family, and was honest about my
concerns.
In any case, there were ultimately some other reasons as well that we did
not pursue a second adoption, but your book brought all of those events from
years ago (our daughter is now 19) back to me, and the prominence of RAD in
those events.
I really appreciated the passion and love that comes through in your book,
and I am in awe that you and Patty could carry on in the face of such
difficulty, and such grief. we are all indebted to you for hanging in there to
save your daughter, and then, despite all you've been through, reaching out to
so many with your dogs.
I am constantly amazed, inspired, and impressed by the incredible people I
meet through Dog BONES. You and Patty are on that list-- thanks for who you are
in the world.
I hope to see you at the fall event, should your demanding schedule permit.
Best wishes with school. Please say hi to Patty for me.
Ellen
a walk together, November 2,
2013
By
Ksyusha
To hear your story breaks my already broken heart as I walk in your shoes
currently. It's the frustration that this illness is so difficult to find
effective treatment. Relationships are just so intimidating to children with
RAD so it's a constant push and pull with the loved ones. To feel so rejected
after loving your child who doesn't have the capacity to feel these emotions is
exhausting and devastating.
Your journey was painful, but you weathered the
storm. Your ending gives hope to us in your shoes. The journey may not have
gone as planned, but to know new or different dreams do exist is
comforting.
God bless you..Celia is blessed to have you.