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Thrust into state care at 6 months of age because of an alcoholic father and mentally ill mother, Teresa Cooper spent an unsettled childhood in a variety of children's homes. At age 13, she was sent to Kendall House in Gravesend, Kent, a home which soon became her prison and worst nightmare. Teresa found herself a victim of a terrible she was injected with dangerously high doses of drugs and sexually abused. As a result of this cruel and vicious treatment-accompanied by punishments such as 163 days spent in solitary confinement-it was not long before Teresa began to harm herself and even attempt to take her life. After three years of hell, Teresa thought her nightmare was over but another was about to begin. Teresa survived, however, and today she works to fight against a corrupt social care system. She has taken her case of abuse and drugging to parliament, and is fighting to prevent many more children from suffering at the hands of unethical doctors and abusive foster parents.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2007
8 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 7, 2008
Teresa Cooper has gone through Hell and back, yet managed to have a lovely family and as normal a life as possible, total proof that those bruised by life do not turn into monsters themselves. As the powers-that-be, and media would have us wrongly believe.
This Book is un-put-downable, my heart ached, and I cried most of the way through as I read the pages, I felt useless, and ashamed that girls and boy's up and down this country have and still are experiencing the atrocities that befell Teresa.
We must do something, we are living in the 21st Century, for God's sake, and yet we walk around oblivious to what is under our nose's.
All the Children's homes and Foster homes in this country should be subjected to rigorous examination, especially where drugs are used regularly. How many other girl's and boy's were put through this sort of regime, and have not managed to survive it?
Teresa you are an inspiration, and I hope your courage helps others to speak up and be counted.
This book should be advertised everywhere, to help give a voice to those who cannot speak out.
This Book is un-put-downable, my heart ached, and I cried most of the way through as I read the pages, I felt useless, and ashamed that girls and boy's up and down this country have and still are experiencing the atrocities that befell Teresa.
We must do something, we are living in the 21st Century, for God's sake, and yet we walk around oblivious to what is under our nose's.
All the Children's homes and Foster homes in this country should be subjected to rigorous examination, especially where drugs are used regularly. How many other girl's and boy's were put through this sort of regime, and have not managed to survive it?
Teresa you are an inspiration, and I hope your courage helps others to speak up and be counted.
This book should be advertised everywhere, to help give a voice to those who cannot speak out.
January 3, 2011
Working on my next book :-)
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June 16, 2013Jag förstår att TC behövde skriva den här boken. Det är mer som en terapeutisk bok än en text med litterära aspirationer, men det finns ett slags upprättelse i att få berätta sin historia och bli betrodd. Själv tyckte jag att det var fasligt plågsamt att läsa, men kände ändå att jag måste fortsätta läsa för TC:s skull. Dock känner jag mig lite kluven som läsare i att "gotta" mig i andras misär. Kanske behövs det dock sådana här böcker så länge samhällets system fortsätter att fallera å det grövsta. Det är upprörande, skrämmande läsning. Jag vill inte sätta något "betyg", men jag förstår absolut att berättelsen behövde ut.
July 22, 2017
A heartwarming story of a woman's childhood, who had to endure abuse, drugging and rape at children homes. The horrendous tale makes it hard for the reader to bear in mind that the novel is non-fiction, and her survival inspires not to lose hope despite misery. I am truly fascinated by the story, and hope that no other girls need to experience what she had to.
March 15, 2022
Väldigt bra bok trots att den var så pass grym. Grät vid nåt tillfälle eftersom den var så grym
November 27, 2013
It was a very strong and difficoult book, but even if the story was hard, it had a clear langauge (I read the Swedish traslation).
The book is about Teresa, a child's experiences of first abuse in her home and then, when she got to a special home for girls, as was made to protect her, it just abused her even more. The story made a deep impact on me. In the home called Kendall House she came to, after many different homes and orphanages, she went extremly bullied by the other girls and was forced to take high doses of drugs/medication. Sexual abuse, physical abuse and later seclusion for month's. The social services didnt cared about the situations, and some workers on the agencies didn't believed her. The girls tried to escape many times and suicide attempts and self-harming was very common. Actually it was so common that it was a part of their dailey lives.
My eyes was wet through the entire book. I can read very hard books, but this story touched me from the beginning. But although the book is like a punch in the eyes, it's a very useful book to read. This is the reality, and even if it doesn't happen to the majority and all social services not are bad, this still happens to some people out there. Even if the book is hard, it has a good languages as makes people to understand, and even the most weak persons shoult read this. This is how it is and we can't recejt all children with Teresa's experiences, because she's not alone. We should read this story to make an attempt to understand them. It's the least we can do.
The book is about Teresa, a child's experiences of first abuse in her home and then, when she got to a special home for girls, as was made to protect her, it just abused her even more. The story made a deep impact on me. In the home called Kendall House she came to, after many different homes and orphanages, she went extremly bullied by the other girls and was forced to take high doses of drugs/medication. Sexual abuse, physical abuse and later seclusion for month's. The social services didnt cared about the situations, and some workers on the agencies didn't believed her. The girls tried to escape many times and suicide attempts and self-harming was very common. Actually it was so common that it was a part of their dailey lives.
My eyes was wet through the entire book. I can read very hard books, but this story touched me from the beginning. But although the book is like a punch in the eyes, it's a very useful book to read. This is the reality, and even if it doesn't happen to the majority and all social services not are bad, this still happens to some people out there. Even if the book is hard, it has a good languages as makes people to understand, and even the most weak persons shoult read this. This is how it is and we can't recejt all children with Teresa's experiences, because she's not alone. We should read this story to make an attempt to understand them. It's the least we can do.
February 12, 2024
wow. this book was heartbreaking and the fact that teresa had to go through all of this just breaks my heart even more.
my heart goes out to everyone else who was involved with kendall house and other horrible places mentioned in the book 💗
also got this book from a free library so i was nooooot ready for that lmao
my heart goes out to everyone else who was involved with kendall house and other horrible places mentioned in the book 💗
also got this book from a free library so i was nooooot ready for that lmao
June 21, 2009
This book was absolutly mind blowing. I read it in a matter of 2 days. To think that anyone could be treated this way, with such abuse is upsetting. I would highly recomend this book to every reader.
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July 18, 2010absolutely brilliant read and so bad what Teresa had to deal with. I am so plsd she has gone onto have children herself and been a fantastic mum and done the best for her kids and brought them up to be good people.
November 17, 2014
It was amazing to read :) Very horrible and really good to read. But i feel so bad in my stomache through read this one
I read this long time ago i dont know when in 2012 but it was late summer season
I read this long time ago i dont know when in 2012 but it was late summer season
July 12, 2013
Abuse stories are never easy to read, and this one made me so angry, sad and sick to my stomach I hade to put it down at times and read something lighter. I just wanted to shout at the pages; "Why isn't anybody doing anything?!" This story won't leave you unmoved or indifferent.
January 4, 2017
love it
January 13, 2019
The story is really disturbing. What Teresa went through is horrific and no innocent child, or human being, should be subject to that kind of treatment. It's worse when she was abused while under the care of the government. It makes one question whether removing children from their parents, even when the parents are having issues and illnesses, is ever a good practice (with the exception when the parents themselves are the abusers). I'm so glad that Teresa is now helping others in need.
The book is easy to read, the story is well paced. Even though there was no gory detail but enough is described that one can easily picture what had happened. I'm glad that the author does not dwell in self pity, making lots of accusations and just tell the story in a straight forward manner. I finished the book in one sitting and was left with a dark emotion that was hard to shed for a long time.
The book is easy to read, the story is well paced. Even though there was no gory detail but enough is described that one can easily picture what had happened. I'm glad that the author does not dwell in self pity, making lots of accusations and just tell the story in a straight forward manner. I finished the book in one sitting and was left with a dark emotion that was hard to shed for a long time.
April 1, 2021
This book was hard to read because it was so heartbreaking and so awful. This should never of happened to Teresa or any other child and it makes me so angry! The things she went through were horrific and my mind finds it hard to comprehend how anyone could do those things or turn a blind eye. She is an amazing person not only to get through it but to still have the capacity to love. I wouldn’t be as forgiving to my family members as she was,she is such a strong person. I’m so glad she has all the animals she wanted and her lovely children. I hope the people involved found great misery in their lives.
February 19, 2023
It's a sad read. All the way through its a devastating story to read. I do feel, and I regret to have to say this but it's important to be honest, but I do feel that some things were exaggerated for the sake of the book. I may be wrong but each chapter seemed to end in a dramatic cliff hanger. Nevertheless, the story is a devastating example of we as a social community have failed over the years. This is one example of a `slipped through the floor boards` account of unacceptable treatment to already vulnerable children.
Heart breaking.
Heart breaking.
February 22, 2025
3 ⭐️ Whilst the experiences the author had a Kendal House and beyond are undoubtedly horrific, the writing fell a little flat for me. Understandably there are many details that she just doesn’t know because of the powerful cocktail of drugs she was forced to take but I thought that made the timeline difficult to understand. The book seemed quite repetitive but also jumped quickly leaving a disjointed arc.
July 17, 2021
Jag visste vad boken handlade om och jag trodde jag var redo, men nej.
Genom hela boken var jag arg och ledsen över hur hon blev behandlad och att ingen lyssnade på henne. Alldeles fruktansvärt att läsa om det hon gick igenom.
Dessutom var det en chock för mig att det bara hände för 50 år sedan. (!)
Genom hela boken var jag arg och ledsen över hur hon blev behandlad och att ingen lyssnade på henne. Alldeles fruktansvärt att läsa om det hon gick igenom.
Dessutom var det en chock för mig att det bara hände för 50 år sedan. (!)
March 14, 2018
Distressing to read knowing that this is a true story. Unimaginable that this could be allowed to happen to a young girl for so long with no one to listen to her or speak out for her. So glad Teresa eventually found the happiness she so deserved and is now able to help others.
December 3, 2023
I feel so bad giving it a 5 star review. I couldn't put this book down. I go so angry and broken reading it, and to hear about the statute of limitations means no justice is even more sickening and appalling
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
Sonia Kane
August 16, 2023
Gripping read but the end is drawn out
January 4, 2024
Att hon kunde klara sig igenom allt det där är så imponerande för mig. Saknar ord och har suttit gråtfärdig sen typ kapitel 3
October 5, 2024
gosh what a life, you are strong one Teresa! thank you for writing the book =)
October 8, 2024
Hartverscheurend verhaal dit.
Vreselijk dat zo'n dingen kunnen gebeuren onder het oog van de sociale dienst.
Leest vlot, maar niet gemakkelijk.
Vreselijk dat zo'n dingen kunnen gebeuren onder het oog van de sociale dienst.
Leest vlot, maar niet gemakkelijk.
October 23, 2025
Jätte bra, jätte rörande, läste den för flera år sen men tänker fortfarande på den ibland!🥰🥺 Tycker alla borde läsa den🥺
November 28, 2013
It was a very strong and difficoult book, but even if the story was hard, it had a clear langauge (I read the Swedish traslation).
The book is about Teresa, a child's experiences of first abuse in her home and then, when she got to a special home for girls, as was made to protect her, it just abused her even more. The story made a deep impact on me. In the home called Kendall House she came to, after many different homes and orphanages, she went extremly bullied by the other girls and was forced to take high doses of drugs/medication. Sexual abuse, physical abuse and later seclusion for month's. The social services didnt cared about the situations, and some workers on the agencies didn't believed her. The girls tried to escape many times and suicide attempts and self-harming was very common. Actually it was so common that it was a part of their dailey lives.
My eyes was wet through the entire book. I can read very hard books, but this story touched me from the beginning. But although the book is like a punch in the eyes, it's a very useful book to read. This is the reality, and even if it doesn't happen to the majority and all social services not are bad, this still happens to some people out there. Even if the book is hard, it has a good language as makes people to understand, and even the most weak persons shoult read this. This is how it is and we can't recejt all children with Teresa's experiences, because she's not alone. We should read this story to make an attempt to understand them. It's the least we can do.
The book is about Teresa, a child's experiences of first abuse in her home and then, when she got to a special home for girls, as was made to protect her, it just abused her even more. The story made a deep impact on me. In the home called Kendall House she came to, after many different homes and orphanages, she went extremly bullied by the other girls and was forced to take high doses of drugs/medication. Sexual abuse, physical abuse and later seclusion for month's. The social services didnt cared about the situations, and some workers on the agencies didn't believed her. The girls tried to escape many times and suicide attempts and self-harming was very common. Actually it was so common that it was a part of their dailey lives.
My eyes was wet through the entire book. I can read very hard books, but this story touched me from the beginning. But although the book is like a punch in the eyes, it's a very useful book to read. This is the reality, and even if it doesn't happen to the majority and all social services not are bad, this still happens to some people out there. Even if the book is hard, it has a good language as makes people to understand, and even the most weak persons shoult read this. This is how it is and we can't recejt all children with Teresa's experiences, because she's not alone. We should read this story to make an attempt to understand them. It's the least we can do.
July 14, 2010
I'm amazed that this woman even lived to tell her story or that she wasn't at least permanently damaged from all of the drugs she was forced to take. This is one of the most horrible cases of institutional abuse I have ever read.
Teresa Cooper was sent by her social worker to live in an institution that was for violent and mentally troubled girls even though Teresa had neither of these problems. The things she went through there were enough to make even the most stable people go mad, but somehow she managed to survive her ordeal and share her story with us.
I don't know how anyone can be so uncaring to a child let alone a group of medical professionals. The evils in this world are really beyond imagination.
Teresa Cooper was sent by her social worker to live in an institution that was for violent and mentally troubled girls even though Teresa had neither of these problems. The things she went through there were enough to make even the most stable people go mad, but somehow she managed to survive her ordeal and share her story with us.
I don't know how anyone can be so uncaring to a child let alone a group of medical professionals. The evils in this world are really beyond imagination.
December 10, 2008
I couldn't put this book down. The story flowed from begining to end with a sinister twist that wasn't expected. Truly brilliant read that makes you want to take part in researching after you have finished the book. I have read a few books in this catagry now and this book is uncomparable to others its that good. It has a good story line, good balance, images, documents and has all a good book should have, facts. How Teresa managed to survive that leaves you speachless.I have read it twice now. The Church of England should be ashamed of themselves
May 31, 2016
I normally dont like books who are based on a true story or is Simple a true story, but for this book i have no words. Im in shock! I just wanna hold this girl (even if it happened in the 80's) and almost smack the crap out of some of the people she is mentioning!
Take Harriet for example. That woman.. Ugh! She's lucky i've never met her! How can a grown up person tell a girl whos been raped, attacked, bullied, druged, overdosed etc etc that shes just exaggerating? I mean, COME ON?!?!?!
So many feelings over this book, and 98% of them is not good!
Take Harriet for example. That woman.. Ugh! She's lucky i've never met her! How can a grown up person tell a girl whos been raped, attacked, bullied, druged, overdosed etc etc that shes just exaggerating? I mean, COME ON?!?!?!
So many feelings over this book, and 98% of them is not good!
October 14, 2013
A full frontal attack on all the senses, this is one truly inspiring story that will stay with me forever!
I couldn't put the book down even at times when it was too awful to carry on reading. What this poor girl had to suffer really does put life into perspective!
Inspirational, honest and life altering!
I couldn't put the book down even at times when it was too awful to carry on reading. What this poor girl had to suffer really does put life into perspective!
Inspirational, honest and life altering!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews