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Wetterling offers message of hope
By Julie Cronk
Published:
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Media Credit: Blair Schlichte
Patty Wetterling, child advocate, speaks to students about protecting children from sexual exploitation and abduction Wednesday in Atwood Little Theater.
Imagine coming home one evening only to find out that your son or daughter was abducted and missing. Now imagine having to live through that horror day after day not knowing anything about the abductor or even if your child is alive.
That is exactly what Patty Wetterling, mother of Jacob Wetterling, had to go through. Jacob was only 11-years-old when he was taken away from his family back on October 22, 1989. He was riding his bike along with his brother Trevor, 10, and his friend Aaron, 11. They were heading back from the local convenience store a mile away from the Wetterling home. About halfway home, a masked gunman stopped them in the middle of the road. He asked each of the boys their age and made them get off their bikes and lay flat on the ground. The gunman then instructed Trevor and Aaron to run quickly into the woods without looking behind them. After they ran into the woods, they looked back to see if Jacob was behind them and there was no one. The gunman and Jacob were both gone.
To this day, neither authorities nor the Wetterlings have any major leads on the whereabouts or whether Jacob is alive. Since then the Wetterlings have been searching day in and day out for their missing son and are determined never to give up.
"Hope is what carries us and gets us out of bed everyday," Wetterling said, "Without that, there would be nothing worth fighting for."
Wetterling has since begun the Jacob Wetterling Foundation that protects children from sexual exploitation and abduction. The foundation also works with families of abducted children in coping with the unfortunate situations of abduction. Back in October, Wetterling met with the Elizabeth Smart's parents when Elizabeth was still missing. She comforted them and together they brainstormed on the case. The day that Elizabeth returned home was a joyous time for the Wetterlings and gave them even more hope.
The Jacob Wetterling Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was started back in 1990 ,four months after Jacob was abducted. Since the start of the foundation, Wetterling, along with hundreds of other volunteers, contacted legislators in implementing a registration policy for sex offenders. This was brought to the federal level and due to their determination, in 50 states sex offenders must register within their community. Wetterling's devotion and sense of hope has reached out to so many people and helped countless families.
"You can never quit. You find something worth fighting for and make sure to never quit," Wetterling said.
Wetterling's inspiration has reached and touched so many Americans, most importantly; the children. On a regular basis, Wetterling will visit schools talking to young children about the dangers of the world and the importance of who they are. Wetterling stresses every time she speaks about how special these children are, that no one has the right to hurt them physically or sexually and that if they are hurt, it is never their fault and to never keep it a secret. With all of these important aspects, Wetterling's most important advice to children and even adults is to trust your instincts. It will keep you safe and is almost always proven right. Parents should also be actively involved with their child in talking to them about safety, playing the "what if" game and should mostly be there to give the children the love and attention they need. If not, these children may go elsewhere to find affection, and it could possibly be in the wrong hands of a molester, abductor or someone that could potentially harm them.
"After listening to Patty, I was just so moved by her story," said Karlene Jennissen, student at SCSU. "I never realized how important it is to communicate to these young children about being aware of these circumstances. I know that I have learned so much from her and will apply her advice for the rest of my life."
For the Wetterlings, today is just another day that passes in search for their beloved son and brother, Jacob. The hope that lies in each of them is still stronger than ever and will never diminish. It is important that everyone in the community, country and world be aware of the dangers that surround us and to keep alive the gift of hope. This hope is what has brought back so many abducted children and, hopefully, Jacob.
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