Growing Out of Childhood Trauma

Famous People’s Gripping Experiences.

Charlize Theron, a well-known actress, lived with an alcoholic father who threatened her and her mother with a gun — firing at both of them. At the time she was 16 years-old. It didn’t end there. Her mother took a handgun, shot back, killing her father in front of her. This is childhood trauma.

Charlize came to international prominence soon after this shooting. She played the leading role in “The Devil’s Advocate”, “Mighty Joe Young” and “The Cider House Rules.” All three movies were produced in the late 1990s, six years after the shooting.

She talks about healing from these tragic times.

“I think, for me, I needed to realize that there was a strength in the vulnerability, and that it was actually more brave to be vulnerable than to kind of keep it all together.” — Charlize Theron

Her attitude of openness shifted her circumstance and became her strength.

Oprah Winfrey, another celebrity who’s traumatic childhood became an asset, recently published a nonfiction book (with Dr. Perry) entitled, “What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing” (2021).

Oprah’s talent, throughout her career, has been connecting deeply with people from all walks of life. Her book points to the healing power of relationships and authentic personal connections. Her words-

“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.”

Instead of caving to childhood abuse she and Charlize rose above it.

Finally, Maya Angelou said —

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”

She, like Oprah and Charlize, faced sexual abuse and violence as a child yet rose to become a celebrated poet and civil rights activist.

All three women refused to accept the trauma they experienced as their destiny. They refused to be crippled or damaged by their past.

Trauma — and especially childhood trauma — doesn’t need to make you a victim. Trauma can make you stronger, more resilient, and even more grounded.

We tend to blame others and our circumstances for problems that befall us. Yet, the only thing really standing in our way is our belief about ourselves.