Child on Turkish beach

cowboyBuilder

Hi ,
I can't get that image out of my head of that poor boy who drowned and was washed ashore on the beach in Turkey.
I've been in work these past few days and had meetings that I just can't concentrate in and I'm nearly in tears
thinking about it.

I knew this was going on but it didn't bother me (i know what a disgrace) but why I'm focused on this one image,
maybe it's human nature to focus on one particular aspect of a tragedy rather then the bigger picture.

I know i'm not alone, I think this image has made the whole world sad, but that kid is still dead and nothing can
change what happened - what did he ever do to deserve a fate like this ?
what a horrible world we live in - so depressing.

Maybe I shouldnt post here, I'm not really looking for advice, its more getting it of my chest, I can't talk to anyone
about it, my wife only gets upset herself, she can't deal with things like this, fair enough I won't upset her.

NIMAN

It certainly was a very powerful and sad image, and maybe one that needed to be shown. But plenty of other kids like him have also drowned making that same crossing, it's just that reading about it doesn't hit hone as much as seeing one image. It really does speak a thousand words, doesn't it?

I am guessing maybe you have your own young kids? I have found since I had children that images like this have more effect on me. Probably as I have children the same ages as this kid and his brother. I picture my own in that situation, and it is sad. Perhaps we are lucky that we were born into a peaceful society unlike these poor people

But whether we like it or not, bad things happen to people, including young kids, each and every day. While Israel was bombing gaza recently, there were images a lot harder to look at than this one.

Our media usually protects us how hard to view images, and showing this young boy has affected a lot of people, you aren't alone.

Cunning Stunt

You are definitely not alone OP and I have no advice on how to get that image out of your head as it's stuck in mine also.

cowboyBuilder

NIMAN wrote: »

It certainly was a very powerful and sad image, and maybe one that needed to be shown. But plenty of other kids like him have also drowned making that same crossing, it's just that reading about it doesn't hit hone as much as seeing one image. It really does speak a thousand words, doesn't it?

I am guessing maybe you have your own young kids? I have found since I had children that images like this have more effect on me. Probably as I have children the same ages as this kid and his brother. I picture my own in that situation, and it is sad. Perhaps we are lucky that we were born into a peaceful society unlike these poor people

But whether we like it or not, bad things happen to people, including young kids, each and every day. While Israel was bombing gaza recently, there were images a lot harder to look at than this one.

Our media usually protects us how hard to view images, and showing this young boy has affected a lot of people, you aren't alone.

Yes, I have a 3 year old boy, and it does make it tougher to see.
I still think it would upset me though, regardless ...

And its true , so much worse is happening - has happened, yet I focus on this one case - perhaps because it-s the only pic Ive seen, anyway I'm not going to look for more, I saw this pic in the guardian and surprised they published it in fact since even tabloids were blurring it.

I guess they felt the world needs to see it .

eviltwin

Same here OP, it really upset me because the little boy reminds me so much of my own son. I was quite upset but I'm trying do use it to spur me into helping the refugees by donating item to an appeal. It's not much but it might help make life more bearable for the people left behind.

cowboyBuilder

eviltwin wrote: »

Same here OP, it really upset me because the little boy reminds me so much of my own son. I was quite upset but I'm trying do use it to spur me into helping the refugees by donating item to an appeal. It's not much but it might help make life more bearable for the people left behind.

My mother wants to take refugees in, at first I sneered at the idea and I even posted in AH about it, I now hope she does it .. I would do it myself if we had the space.

beks101

You know OP, I envy you that upset. It didn't shock or stir me in the slightest. I'm a journalist though and I've been covering this, along with innumerous other devastating and distressing stories for the last number of years. This isn't even the tip of the iceberg of the death and destruction and soul-ripping turmoil that the world sees on a daily basis. As terrible as that is to say.

In my case, compassion helps. Going about my day with a bit more kindness, telling my family that I love them every opportunity, making a concerted effort to meet up with friends despite every-day inconveniences, seeing and smiling at homeless people, stopping to help people even if I don't have the time, donating, volunteering. Knowledge and understanding help me. Researching and talking to victims and bringing their stories into a public forum. In your case perhaps spending more time with your kids, educating them and making sure they are as aware as you are about how lucky they are.

It won't stop innocent children from dying horrific deaths in the middle of a cold ocean and it won't reveal any workable solutions to the problem. But it will make your world and the world of those around you a bit more pleasant, a bit more comfortable, if only for coming into contact with a person who cares.

donfers

cowboyBuilder wrote: »

Hi ,
I can't get that image out of my head of that poor boy who drowned and was washed ashore on the beach in Turkey.
I've been in work these past few days and had meetings that I just can't concentrate in and I'm nearly in tears
thinking about it.

I knew this was going on but it didn't bother me (i know what a disgrace) but why I'm focused on this one image,
maybe it's human nature to focus on one particular aspect of a tragedy rather then the bigger picture.

I know i'm not alone, I think this image has made the whole world sad, but that kid is still dead and nothing can
change what happened - what did he ever do to deserve a fate like this ?
what a horrible world we live in - so depressing.

Maybe I shouldnt post here, I'm not really looking for advice, its more getting it of my chest, I can't talk to anyone
about it, my wife only gets upset herself, she can't deal with things like this, fair enough I won't upset her.

I'm in the exact same boat, I haven't come to terms with it myself - even though my rational side knows kids and babies are dying all the time. It's just the image makes him look so alone and abandoned - I'm just trying to find ways to process it, to make this sense of heartbreak dissipate. I am looking at articles and research how drowning can be relatively painless while I am supposed to be working but I still haven't dealt with this at all.

Taltos

Mod note

Sorry OP but as you called out yourself this isn't directly a personal issue.
I am not all to sure where to move it to but as it's outside our remit I have to close this thread.