An individual’s childhood, for better or worse, is something that is always carried with them. They may choose not to discuss it or attempt to ignore it — but in the end, their upbringing, at some level, shapes their adult life.
The damaging effects of an abusive childhood are on full display in Ericka Andersen’s book Leaving Cloud 9. She transparently and bravely tells her husband Rick’s story of being raised in a destructive environment, where he and his sister became unfortunate victims of addiction, poverty, mental illness, and pure evil.
The book relives the heartbreaking trials that no child should ever have to endure. Page after page, she describes the very raw and real episodes that molded her husband’s life and eventually brought him to redemption and forgiveness.
At one point, Ericka describes how after Rick’s mother would pass out from intoxication of alcohol and drugs, the cockroaches in their bug-infested trailer would swarm her body. In order to protect their mother, even though she was an angry and abusive caregiver, Rick and his sister would stay up all night by her side so they could pick off the cockroaches. In a devastating role reversal seen multiple times in Leaving Cloud 9, the children served as the adult, constantly caring for themselves and their grown mother instead of the other way around.
This book’s story of addiction and the destructive path it wields could not be more relevant as our nation’s leaders currently attempt to curb an opioid epidemic. Andersen warns that government policies are not always the answer, “while the government offered support such as welfare and food stamps … there was very little the government could do in the way of instilling moral character, a sense of honor, and the ambition to build better lives.” This national health emergency is a complex issue that requires more than government intervention, it must also involve help from the community.
Ericka states that Rick’s mother intentionally “kept herself and her children secluded from healthy community involvement.” A common pattern when abuse is taking place is that the abuser secludes themselves and their victim(s) from others, decreasing the chances of being caught or found out. Strong community involvement where neighbors aid neighbors and involve themselves in the lives of others can help bring victims and addicts toward a path of protection and recovery. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle.
As Andersen points out, true, redemptive recovery can only be found in the powerful message and truth of the gospels. Rick and his sister finally found a path to rehabilitation as they turned to Christianity, which allowed Rick to meet with his abuser face-to-face and forgive her for the pain she caused. That transformation, as well as a critical medical diagnosis and prescribed medication, helped him to battle his own mental illness and emotional scars.
The fact that Rick gave Ericka approval for this book and allowed her to to openly tell of his personal experiences for the eyes of many strangers to see should not be overlooked. His willingness to publicly expose his own trials and battles to end the vicious cycle of mental illness so that many others could hopefully seek help is extremely praiseworthy.
The truth is, addiction and mental illness are all around us. Andersen states, “mental illness doesn’t distinguish between good parents and bad parents, rich or poor, beautiful or unkempt.”
It’s my prayer that Rick’s story will help combat the stigma that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness and instead provide much-needed help to those around us who are currently suffering.
Mary Vought (@MaryVought) is president of Vought Strategies LLC and a senior communications analyst.
