Why Sarah?

 I just read the book Why Me?  By: Sarah Burleton. It’s her auto-biography about how her mother abused her as a child. She had no reason to hurt her, but she continuously made her feel unwanted. She does bring up many times in the book that she was an “accident.” Sarah’s mother even says at the beginning of the book “Do you want the whole building to hear you? I’m sick of you! I didn’t want you in the first place!” I couldn’t even imagine how I would feel if my mom were to say that to me.

   Through out the book, she tells stories about all of the times her mom neglected her growing up. Some examples are when Sarah’s mother poured Ajax Liquid Soap in her mouth and made her keep it in her mouth. This was her punishment for raising her voice to her because she didn’t want to eat the oatmeal that she made her for breakfast. Another example is when her mom cut and permed her hair herself. She purposely used too much perm solution so that the smelly, sticky substance would drip down the side of her face. She rolled the little rollers too tight so that the little needles hurt her scalp. She did all of this because she wanted the kids at school to picked on her and make fun of her. Sarah even thought to herself while looking into the mirror at the mess on her head “This hair is going to really get them going today,” referring to the kids at school.

    One thing that was going through my mind while reading this book is "if her mother knew she couldn't get an abortion, then why didn't she put Sarah up for adoption? Sarah's mom couldn't get an abortion because when her mom found out that she went to the clinic and was planning on getting one, she forbid it. I honestly agree that abortion is wrong... but that's not the only solution. 

   If she knew she wasn't old enough to raise a child on her own, then why couldn't she be mature and give Sarah up for adoption? I mean, if she didn't want her anyway (which she clearly states multiple times throughout the book) then why make the child suffer? I understand that she might not have been financially or emotionally stable... but then she should have told her mother that. Maybe her mom would adopt the baby. 

   Another thing I don't understand is why do mothers and fathers abuse their children? Don't they realize that that child is something they made? Something they brought into the world? If you went out and bought a new car, would you break the windows, scratch the paint and hit it with a hammer? No, right? So why would you mentally and physically and mentally a helpless child? I think "Why Me?" by: Sarah Burleton was an amazing emotion roller coaster. I'm not afraid to say that while reading some parts of her life, I cried. She was so descriptive and did an amazing job of making the reader feel her emotions. 

  It's a good read for someone who likes auto-biographies and who can handle intense story lines. Do you agree with my opinions? Do you disagree? If so, comment below! :) Thanks for reading.