Posted on Mar 27, 2022
WWII created generations of trauma in their families. They fear war will do the same in Ukraine.
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When Liz Prager O’Brien was growing up in Rhode Island, the trauma her mother had endured during World War II would sneak up on both of them at unexpected moments.
Her mom was 2 years old when she and her parents fled their small Polish town. They left a comfortable life and spent the next dozen years in dire poverty, struggling to survive.
As a young refugee going from one war-torn country to the next, Prager O’Brien’s mom didn’t have opportunities to develop friendships.
So decades later, when Prager O’Brien was 9 years old and sought advice on how to handle a disagreement between her friends, her mother lashed out.
“‘I never had childhood friends. Why the hell are you asking me?’” Prager O’Brien, who’s now 60, said her mom screamed at her.
This and similar interactions left Prager O’Brien frightened and confused.
Her mom was 2 years old when she and her parents fled their small Polish town. They left a comfortable life and spent the next dozen years in dire poverty, struggling to survive.
As a young refugee going from one war-torn country to the next, Prager O’Brien’s mom didn’t have opportunities to develop friendships.
So decades later, when Prager O’Brien was 9 years old and sought advice on how to handle a disagreement between her friends, her mother lashed out.
“‘I never had childhood friends. Why the hell are you asking me?’” Prager O’Brien, who’s now 60, said her mom screamed at her.
This and similar interactions left Prager O’Brien frightened and confused.
WWII created generations of trauma in their families. They fear war will do the same in Ukraine.
Posted from nbcnews.com
Russia
Ukraine
WWII World War Two
Poland
Posted 3 y ago
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The psychological impact of the trauma experienced is deep rooted and has been passed on generation after generation. These generations of Ukrainians will be no different. Hopefully a greater awareness of the issues associated with it will mitigate both its impact and tenure with counseling that didn't exist until recently (in relative terms)
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The lasting effects of war are generally debilitating at best. I try to practice the final bit of advice from this article: “To break this chain of trauma, I have poured my heart and soul into my children,” Prager O’Brien said. “I tell them every time I speak with them, even if it’s by text, that I love them.” Thanks for posting, PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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