Goldman, Russell; Dolak, Kevin; Muir, David; Castellano, Anthony (May 7, 2013). "Kidnap Victim Amanda Berry Hailed as 'Real Hero' in Rescue of Three Exton Women". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. From what I understand, Lifetime Movie Network‘s adaptation of the “Cleveland Kidnappings” will be airing soon. I’ll probably skip it, but if you forego reading Knight’s memoir, I’d recommend watching. She is a courageous and strong woman. If there’s one take-away message Knight has for readers, it’s the following: Welch, William (May 6, 2013). "3 brothers arrested as missing women found in Ohio". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013.

In her teens she ran away, and lived on wasteland under a bridge. She stole a wheelie bin and made it her home. "I had my own little room, I didn't need to share it with anybody. I didn't have to hear my mother yelling, I didn't have to hear glasses breaking, things being thrown at the wall. If I wanted to sing, I didn't have to listen to my mum saying, 'You're a horrible singer, shut up.' " But many people are still asking: What happened after her escape? How do you re-enter society after years of abuse and isolation? How do you get past the trauma and live a happy and joy filled life? How do you learn to trust again? Kent, Julie (May 6, 2013). "Ariel Castro Arrested as Suspect in Abduction and Disappearance of Three Cleveland Women". The Cleveland Leader. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. And you wanted those babies?""Yes. Not under any circumstances would I kill a child like that. No matter what I went through."Knight is laughing so much that she can barely get the words out. ‘She looked as if she was having a seizure.’ Photograph: Christopher Lane for the Guardian After a few months had passed, there was talk about the women writing a book about what they had gone through. Immediately I made a decision that I wouldn’t read any of their books. I just couldn’t bear to read –let alone imagine what had happened over the eleven-year period. However, while searching for my next read, I stumbled upon Michelle’s memoir. Something tugged at my heart, and I knew I had to read her story. Pearce, Matt (June 12, 2013). "Ariel Castro's lawyer: Some kidnap charges 'cannot be disputed' ". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013 . Retrieved June 19, 2013.

Seitz, Colleen (August 7, 2013). "Michelle Knight held captive for decade by Ariel Castro hands out yellow balloons on Seymour Avenue". newsnet5.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013 . Retrieved August 7, 2013.Yet through it all, including near death experiences, Michelle held on to her love of her son Joey. Without this memory to anchor her, I don't think she would have survived. Her only advice to us is, "If you see something, say something." That's the least we can do. Swaine, Jon (May 9, 2013). "Ohio abductions: FBI photofit with likeness to suspect Ariel Castro held for seven years as police say he acted alone". Telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013 . Retrieved September 4, 2013. One month into Castro's sentence, he was found dead in his cell, hanging by a bed sheet. It was ruled a suicide. "What a punk! I wanted him to sit in his cell and rot away a little bit at a time for the rest of his life, just like he forced me to do. 'He couldn't even deal with one month of the torture that he put us through,'" Michelle later told Gina. After reading this I felt completely depleted. This was the first time I've ever felt like that. To have read such horrific actions, indescribable feelings and such heartfelt thoughts through the actual victims experience...heartbreaking. I constantly felt for Michelle. Cleveland kidnapping suspect now faces 977 counts". CNN. July 13, 2013. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013 . Retrieved July 13, 2013.

a b Caniglia, John (July 9, 2013). "New video: Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, Cleveland's 3 missing women, thank you for your support". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on July 10, 2013 . Retrieved July 9, 2013. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight in Cleveland: Frequently asked questions". The Plain Dealer. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. Amanda Berry". America's Most Wanted. May 6, 2013. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. In May 2014, Knight wrote Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed: A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings about her experience.

Trivia

Astonishing. After reading Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland, I was curious why the third victim featured in it so little, although all of the girls seem to be on good terms and wish each other well. In reading this, it's clear that the perpetrator's first victim had already suffered so much before she ever even got into the car with Ariel Castro (bitter poverty, abuse, homelessness, having her son taken by CPS), and that she was isolated from the other girls and treated very differently. It makes total sense to me that she chose to write her own story, and I hope that she and her son have the chance to connect sometime when he's older. Shookman, Sara (May 7, 2013). "Suspect's son wrote article about missing Ohio teen". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. Gina DeJesus". America's Most Wanted. May 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. Walsh, Michael (May 11, 2013). "Cleveland captive Michelle Knight leaves hospital without telling family". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013 . Retrieved May 13, 2013. Ariel Castro's relatives in Puerto Rico say 'demon inside made him lose his mind' ". New York Daily News.