Thoughts on "Trauma"

I have been seeing the word trauma quite a bit lately.   Having ridden in an ambulance and ushered through the "trauma" departments of sorts....staying on the "trauma" unit,  hearing my doctors talk of the "trauma" to my ankle and body, etc.   Somehow my mind segways and I begin to think about psychological trauma....such as that which our son endured in his early years.   

I mentioned to the spine doctor yesterday that, despite the normal x-rays and CT scans,  my spine feels "different." For example,  I can turn my head and hear a slight crunch in my neck (which is normal, BTW).   Despite injuries becoming "fixed" or "healed" most folks say that things are still different.    That's just the way things are.  

This morning as I contemplate some of the quirks that Kai continues to have, I realize that these quirks are probably the result of his own trauma.    While we would like to gloss over or forget about the hunger, neglect, and deprivation of his early years, it will never be completely eradicated from his psyche.   He will probably always have "food issues" to some extent.   He may always be tiny.   He may always have problems with trust (although we certainly hope not.)   These things are the result of early trauma which can be helped through therapy, good nutrition and positive parenting, though not eradicated completely.     As I talk to other adoptive parents, this tends to be a common realization at some point.

With these things in mind, I realize that there are degrees of healing....We are always hoping for the degree that ends on the "cured" side.   Our resounding hope is that we have the great doctors and professionals to get us there, the nurturing to sustain us, and the internal strength and determination to carry-on.