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Left Across the Border: A Story of Teen Depression
Imagine alone in a hostile unfamiliar place. Unable to speak the native language who can you trust? Thousands Mexican attempting to escape poverty for a better life in America. Parents intention may have been good. Sadness a familiar friend, school became this child prison. Ashamed and feeling dejected and the heaviness of her heart tell a story . A dark present they call life has taken its toll. This is a story about a teen against all odds....Teenage depression, secrets. Family, never forgetting the happy home you left behind. Like John Lennon song "Imagine no hell below us only skies; all the people living life in peace...the world will be one" Mental Health & stability is all these kids every wanted.
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First published July 20, 2015
75 people want to read
About the author
Patrice M. Foster
33 books20 followersPATRICE M FOSTER
BIOGRAPHY
Patrice Foster’s life reads like an adventure novel that might have been entitled, “Journey to Respect’. Born in Jamaica West Indies, she and her five siblings were abandoned when her mother fled to America to escape her abusive husband, who then later abandoned his children. Patrice and her siblings were placed in foster homes and subsequently shuffled from one uncaring and abusive family to the next. Entrusted to the care of an uncle, young Patrice became close with an American missionary in the hopes of communicating with her mother in America.
When Patrice was twelve, she and her siblings were finally reunited with their mother, but it was not the happy reunion of their dreams. Obligated to find other living arrangements, the situation eventually deteriorated until Patrice ran away to live with their father.
After finding herself locked out one day, Patrice became homeless and struggled to survive. Her life on the streets was a dangerous and discouraging time, yet despite her hopeless situation, she managed to finish school and moved to New Jersey where she entered an LPN program 1986. After graduating, she relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she furthered her career by becoming an RN in 1998. She continued her education by pursuing a BSN program at Immaculate University.
Through her personal evolution, Patrice continues to battle the demons of her youth and desire to feel worthy and respected by striving to heal a little each day. Aware of the poor treatment encountered by nurses, in 2000, she established her company, Respect Medical Services, through which she committed herself to improved the working conditions and compensation of medical personnel. Her belief was that nurses who were treated and compensated as professionals were better able to perform as compassionate caregivers, thereby creating an environment beneficial to the physical and emotional wellbeing of their patients.
Patrice's greatest sense of accomplishment was achieved by securing employment for others. Though she closed her business in 2004, she continues to work as a nurse, as well as traveling the path to healing and self-discovery.
BIOGRAPHY
Patrice Foster’s life reads like an adventure novel that might have been entitled, “Journey to Respect’. Born in Jamaica West Indies, she and her five siblings were abandoned when her mother fled to America to escape her abusive husband, who then later abandoned his children. Patrice and her siblings were placed in foster homes and subsequently shuffled from one uncaring and abusive family to the next. Entrusted to the care of an uncle, young Patrice became close with an American missionary in the hopes of communicating with her mother in America.
When Patrice was twelve, she and her siblings were finally reunited with their mother, but it was not the happy reunion of their dreams. Obligated to find other living arrangements, the situation eventually deteriorated until Patrice ran away to live with their father.
After finding herself locked out one day, Patrice became homeless and struggled to survive. Her life on the streets was a dangerous and discouraging time, yet despite her hopeless situation, she managed to finish school and moved to New Jersey where she entered an LPN program 1986. After graduating, she relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she furthered her career by becoming an RN in 1998. She continued her education by pursuing a BSN program at Immaculate University.
Through her personal evolution, Patrice continues to battle the demons of her youth and desire to feel worthy and respected by striving to heal a little each day. Aware of the poor treatment encountered by nurses, in 2000, she established her company, Respect Medical Services, through which she committed herself to improved the working conditions and compensation of medical personnel. Her belief was that nurses who were treated and compensated as professionals were better able to perform as compassionate caregivers, thereby creating an environment beneficial to the physical and emotional wellbeing of their patients.
Patrice's greatest sense of accomplishment was achieved by securing employment for others. Though she closed her business in 2004, she continues to work as a nurse, as well as traveling the path to healing and self-discovery.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 20, 2016
Flora’s parents save to pay to help Flora leave Mexico illegally to come to the United States to escape poverty. They hope to follow later once they save more money. She lives in a home with many other illegal immigrants and struggles to fit in at school because she knows no English and has no money for clean clothes. She misses her parents and the other kids at school pick on her because she’s different. She begins scratching herself (cutting) to help herself feel in control in a situation that she can’t control. After coming close to dying, she learns that she does have people she can turn to for help.
Left Across the Border deals with the topic of self-hate and depression as well as illegal immigration. These are all topics that young adults can find challenging to understand and this book definitely gives them a better idea of what the problems are. Left Across the Border is book #1 in the series.
Left Across the Border deals with the topic of self-hate and depression as well as illegal immigration. These are all topics that young adults can find challenging to understand and this book definitely gives them a better idea of what the problems are. Left Across the Border is book #1 in the series.
December 17, 2016
This is book one to what can be seen as a “controversial topic.” The story opens up with a little girl named Flora who has to cross the border to go to America. She starts out as an illegal alien but then gets a green card.
Flora's story is heart wrenching and people who don't understand the immigration process really need to read this. Flora is a Mexican and her story about crossing the border, going to an American school, and the isolation and culture shock among other things. It certainly makes readers think if they care to read this.
The writing style could use a bit more work, but at the same time I think it's perfect for the one person narrative of the character “Flora.” She was a little girl who only spoke Spanish on arrival to America and now speaks English. It's a must read for everyone!
Another thing that is listed in this book are sources where people can find help who are facing depression and other mental health ailments. It's a great reference tool for those who may not be aware.
Hopefully, people will read this story and change their view on what they call “Mexicans,” and realize that the world should have no borders. For a book that actually brought me to tears, I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!
Flora's story is heart wrenching and people who don't understand the immigration process really need to read this. Flora is a Mexican and her story about crossing the border, going to an American school, and the isolation and culture shock among other things. It certainly makes readers think if they care to read this.
The writing style could use a bit more work, but at the same time I think it's perfect for the one person narrative of the character “Flora.” She was a little girl who only spoke Spanish on arrival to America and now speaks English. It's a must read for everyone!
Another thing that is listed in this book are sources where people can find help who are facing depression and other mental health ailments. It's a great reference tool for those who may not be aware.
Hopefully, people will read this story and change their view on what they call “Mexicans,” and realize that the world should have no borders. For a book that actually brought me to tears, I absolutely recommend this book to everyone!
September 7, 2015
Sadness is truly not the same as depression! It can be hard for the depressed kids to know or appraise what is happening but their loved ones and parents can make it easier if they are truly sensitive, educated about depression and do love the kids.
I like the fact that this girl survived, and has hope... an encouraging fact that help is possible though not easy. Escape across the border in search of better life may not end to expectations, government must go extra mile in curbing domestic abuse, failed parenting and unemployment. No one is meant to be alone there is help and counselors, even godly people. Well-done, Madam, Patrice.
I like the fact that this girl survived, and has hope... an encouraging fact that help is possible though not easy. Escape across the border in search of better life may not end to expectations, government must go extra mile in curbing domestic abuse, failed parenting and unemployment. No one is meant to be alone there is help and counselors, even godly people. Well-done, Madam, Patrice.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews