Her story of suffering heartbreaking loss at the age six and the years of neglect and damage that followed. Hours after her father went missing, the doorbell finally rang. Her mother thanked the police officer and then shared the news with Joanne and her two siblings, Thomas, age eight, and Peggy, twelve: “Your father was driving across the bridge and had a car accident. He is dead.” Her voice was flat. She shed no tears. And she offered no comfort to her three children—not then, not ever. A few days later, Joanne’s childhood truly ended. Her mother sat Joanne down on the living room couch, cleared her throat, and said, matter-of-factly: “From now on, you’re going to have to take care of yourself.”