OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON

December 15, 2000

Sieglinde W. Alexander
Boxbook
P. 0. Box 105
Nicolaus, California 95659—0105

Dear Friend:

I want to take this opportunity to tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending your book. I am deeply moved when I hear from Americans with personal knowledge of the impact mental illness has on family and friends.

As you know, my personal commitment is to end the stigma associated with mental illness, increase access to mental health care, and improve the quality of treatment. Having the benefit of your experience greatly enhances my efforts on behalf of millions of Americans who share these concerns.

Please accept my warmest best wishes and hopes for your continued success in the future.

Sincerely,

TG/bea

Gore

original Letter

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

April 10, 2000

Ms. Sieglinde Alexander
7841 Whisper Wood Way
Sacramento, California 95823-4747

Dear Sieglinde:

Thank you for sharing your concerns about child abuse.

My Administration is committed to doing our part to prevent the conditions that can lead to abuse. We have implemented a comprehensive agenda that increases funding at the state level to ensure that maternal and child health programs include child protection and family preservation services. We have also worked with the Congress to pass laws that support child abuse prevention efforts in state and local jurisdictions. In addition I have signed legislation aimed at tracking sexually violent offenders and safeguarding our young people from them.

I also believe that children deserve a permanent home. The Adoption and Safe Families Act that I signed in 1997 reaffirms the importance of making reasonable efforts to reunify families, while also recognizing that the health and safety of children must underlie every decision in the child welfare system. It makes clear that when a child’s safety is at stake, states may move the child into an adoptive home or other permanent placement.

We must also work to eliminate all forms of forced child labor. That is why I have signed an Executive Order directing federal agencies to take steps to ban procurement of goods made by forced child labor. I remain committed to protecting children from this terrible practice and will seek the finds necessary to do so.

Government programs alone, however, cannot prevent child abuse. We must not only forge caring, cooperative alliances that include government as a partner, but also involve schools, communities, parents, and other family members. To encourage such partnerships, I have launched the Children Exposed to Violence the Imitative to assist states and localities in developing prevention and intervention initiatives. In December 1998, I announced the availability of $10 million for Safe Start grants, which will help get this effort underway and reduce the impact of violence on young children.

I am pleased to learn of your interest in this vital issue, and I encourage you to contact officials in your state for more information.

Sincerely,

Bill Clinton

original letter

Dear Sieglinde,
I always had your personality in mind and remember you well as an exceptional human being. Despite your despairing situation, close to a psychic decomposition with a panic fear of being exposed. Your personal integrity, your bravery, your backbone and your absolute honesty (which you subdued to your own way of life) were constantly dominant. This is the reason why you belong, and still do, to the very few people I like, and regard you as “An Original”, engraved by Life!

My big question is, which probably can’t be answered, how can it be possible that you reared by the same people, your grandparents, left such different impressions on your mother and you. I’m astound that you have in spite of the exposure to submissiveness (as you experienced with your mother as a child) developed healthy polarity to strength and power. In a sense of making oneself strong for one’s claim to life, whatever that will be and for other people when it is certain that this happens to one’s own free will.

Reading your book I like to replay with Shakespeare (to me the greatest connoisseur of human weaknesses and resulting intrigues):

"This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man".
- Shakespeare

"If I had to write a short review about your work I would word it this way: ‘The author interpreted her experience, a childhood in pain, in a nonviolent and non-judgmental language. Therefore, the information is free from pity and accusations and the reader is confronted and shocked with the incomprehensible without being prejudiced.' An especially valuable book, which will encourage people who’ve had similar experiences to seek healing."

-         Doerthe Fritsch, Diploma-Psychologist, Behavior-Therapeutic and Clinical Psychologist Germany

Kommentar Deutsch

The author of “Haunting Shadows from the Past” deserves a Nobel Price in “Human Endurance”.

Issak Goldstein, Israel

"This is a beautiful and poignant account of the long road to freedom that each of us must walk. Life gave Sieglinde Alexander more than enough to deal with, and deal with it she has. May such courage and determination help each of us on our own path of healing!"

- Stephen Gillian, Ph.D., Psychologist and author, "The Courage to Love"

Childhood abuse is probably the worst form of physical and mental abuse anyone can endure. Children are defenseless, yet the effect of this abuse often haunts that individual throughout life. Sieglinde Alexander, takes readers on her journey through childhood where she faced daily beatings from her German father, was molested and raped by her brother and an employee; and was forced to steal for the family. As an adult who suppressed the memories, she was haunted daily by guilt, depression, and not feeling worthy. This continued until she returned to her hometown of Harburg, Germany to face the memories. Many readers will identify with her struggle and from it summon the courage to fight their own fight and win.

- Duane Newcomb, Editor-in Chief, Newcomb & Newcomb, Editorial Consultants

"I found it to be very engrossing (aside from feeling horrible about the abuse Sieglinde had to take).

- Tatiana Stoumen, Editor of JWWG, International Women’s Writing Guild

"This book is a mirrored-reflection of the lives of many children and adults that carry the physical and emotional scars of abuse, the availability of this book may bring into realization that the beginning process of inner healing can take place as they openly communicate their story."

- Kay Mitchell, Social Worker Program Director of a Foster Family Agency

I'm still influenced by your brilliant written autobiography, which is full of shocking events and at the same time exciting like a thriller. The reader is caught in this other childhood and youth and, if he wants or not, begins to compare. Some sentences could have written by me.
G. Germany

"After reading Haunting Shadows from the Past, I realized that anyone can be whatever he or she wants to be. I have never experienced mental or physical abuse. It really opened my eyes and made me realize that I have been blessed and that anything is possible with Him on your side."

- Teresa L. Bowens, Computer Tape Librarian

"This book brought out many emotions. A child emerging from this kind of abuse and developing into a beautiful person as the author is can only be blessed by God."

- Clarissa Dorisey Seamstress

"I applaud Sieglinde Alexander for having the courage to relive the pain she must have felt while writing this book. "-" demands your attention and respect for its author. It paints a picture so real and vivid in your mind that you feel you want to punish the aggressor and comfort the victim. It’s hard to believe that adults could treat their own children less than human beings, but we must face the fact that it is happening every day. By writing this book, Sieglinde has helped her own healing process as well as others. She has given hope where where appeared to only be despair. She has given strength to those that have been weakened by their own ordeals. She has let the world know that there is a God and He hears your prayers.

- Eunice Grants, High School Teacher

"Haunting Shadows from the Past" is the story of a painful and sad childhood. It is also a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and hopefully, will help light the way, as it did for me, for others who have also endured."

- Janice Solazzo, Medical Receptionist

"And to think, I felt life had been unfair on many occasions to me. Well, now I know truly how blessed I have been in having the kind of family that I grew up in and the society, this America that I call home. That Sieglinde survived, and now shares her life, gifts and talents and such a story of triumph with each of us, is a testimony to her strength, courage and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you God, and thank you Sieglinde!"

- Barbara J. Smith-Daniele Musician

I was shocked by every page of your book.

I thought I knew you well since 1967. I admired your strength your honesty, and used you as my ideal because of your helpful caring character. I am amazed how you could love anyone after what had been done to you. You are a human example of living kindness.

-         (Your Lillie) Julje Le Buronè, Pianist, Strassburg, France

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