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Like the reader who commented on my last blog, I am interested in learning more about the Virginia Tech shooter. I heard something this morning about how he never gave anyone eye contact and wore sunglasses all the time, even indoors. Gee, do we ever talk about eye contact when addressing issues of esteem, intimacy, respect and social awareness?
Yesterday I heard an interview with Rich Petrone, the stepfather of one of the Columbine High School victims. He refuted the popular (but incorrect) belief that the Columbine killers were responding to being bullied. He said, and I quote, “The parenting was terrible.” He cited all the major red flags that were present in those two kids before they did what they did. He also called them “pure evil” and “cowards”, wanting to take everyone else out with them.
The news this morning is reporting how clearly seriously disturbed Cho had shown himself to be. So much so that one professor insisted he be removed from her class. Another one had a secret code word arranged with her assistant in case help was needed immediately. Cho’s roommates had expressed concern as well. The medical personnel in charge of making a decision to intervene had decided against it because of the Pandora’s Box it would open if they forced the issue. So instead, we have a different Pandora’s box, a much more devastating one.
I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard from a parent how they had never been successful in getting the “powers that be” to understand just how disturbed their child was. I have a friend who, after telling the mental health professionals that her son was homicidal, was told, “He’s not trying to kill people, he’s only trying to kill you!”
What will it take for the mental health community to put the needs of the many over the needs of the few?
Some just are not equipped to deal with it, or else do not want to bother. It is discouraging, to say the least, and makes the work of those such as ATN and others all the more important.
What an absolute tragedy….
One wonders what is going on in a “Warped” mind as such as Cho.
Being the sheltered ones here in Canada, “It can’t happen here” is so far from the truth. The Columbine shooting and now the Virginia tech shooting hopefully dosen’t create a copycat shooting up here in the great white north. Just for your info, last week in Calgary Alberta a Youth was turned in by his Parents and arrested by The Police as he was planning a “copycat” killing on the Anniversary of Columbine. God save us all. Ever wonder why some of us Homeschool?
This is horrifying. I hadn’t known that the medical professionals had this much information about this man. I feel absolutely sickened. I don’t even see it as the needs of the many vs. the needs of the few- whose needs are being served by turning away and refusing to intervene? The boy is dead- how were his needs helped by being allowed to continue with school up until he completely went over the edge? No one’s needs are met by refusing to help. It seems like many service providers and decision makers just want to take the easy way out and ignore whatever they can. I can relate to this happening- when my daughter has been homicidal, I’ve also had hospitals refuse to take her because they saw me as the only one in real danger. Fortunately, there is one good hospital about an hour away that does take her at those times. But how many families don’t have any options?