Have you ever wondered what happened to Orphan Train children who were physically abused? Nothing, in some cases, I suppose. But not in Traverse City, Michigan.
Take a look at this:
"When legendary pediatrician Mark Osterlin arrived in Traverse City in 1935, the former University of Michigan associate professor quickly set to work making his mark on the region – helping Munson Hospital get off the ground, heading up its newly formed Children's Clinic, and building friendly rapport with local residents.
"But early in his tenure, Osterlin noticed a disturbing trend: Many of the TC children coming through his practice were showing visible signs of abuse and neglect, but there were no processes in place to remove the kids from their dangerous situations.
"Osterlin set out to find a solution."
From "TC's Child & Family Services: Born of an Orphan Train" by Craig Manning. If you wish, read the rest of the story in The Ticker News, at http://www.theticker.tc/story/tc-s-child-family-services-born-of-an-orphan-train
The abuse that rider Teresa Martin experienced, detailed in her biography, MAIL-ORDER KID, was as devastating in its way as that of the unidentified child pictured in Manning's story. Teresa never had to live on the streets, but her years of sexual abuse had its cost.
The child Manning describes was rescued from her filth and vermin and placed in a good home. Certainly Teresa's situation would have been improved had her orphanage, The Foundling, freed her.
Yet, both the ragged child in Manning's story and Teresa grew up to be "well-educated, self-supporting" young women. Their stories are testimonies to the resilience of the human spirit.
So many Orphan Train stories are.
from: a JoLt of CoFFeY
An Intermittent Newsletter
by Marilyn June Coffey, Author,
best-selling
MAIL-ORDER KID
WINNER: "Special President's Award"
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