Jaycee Dugard

Jaycee Before Her Abductionhttps://abcnews.go.com 

No one can imagine being held captive for a year, let alone 18 years. Jaycee Dugard was stripped of her rights, while being forced to stay in a small shack on the Garrido property at the age of eleven. She was an innocent eleven year old who’s life was stolen away from her. Jaycee Dugard is not only selfless, but courageous as shown through her actions during her time in captivity.

No one can imagine being held captive for a year, let alone 18 years. Jaycee Dugard was stripped of her rights, while being forced to stay in a small shack on the Garrido property. She was an innocent eleven year old who’s life was stolen away from her. Jaycee Dugard is not only selfless, but courageous as shown through her actions during her time in captivity. Dugard displayed her courage in more ways than one. She remained unbroken after years of unimaginable abuse. After an interview with Jaycee, Diane Sawyer said, “She had the little flame of hope that she kept alive, looking at the moon and dreaming of her mother”(Sawyer6). Although her situation shouldn’t have kept her hopeful, she believed that someday she could be reunited with her loved ones. Dugard remained faithful to the voice inside her head telling her that she could be found someday. Besides being physically and mentally tortured, she also had two daughters fathered by her captor. She gave birth when she was fourteen and seventeen, and was barely given enough resources to help her children. In the article “Somehow, it Seems, Jaycee Raised Two ‘Normal’ Daughters” David Berreby said, “Shelter for Dugard and her children consisted of shacks and patched-up tents, but it was shelter”(Farrell9). The girls, Angel and Starlit, were left with nothing more than what was necessary to sustain life, but they did not back down. Dugard attempted to keep her children safe from Philip, their captor, and his insanity. Jaycee shows her gentle, loving nature through her acts during her time of confinement.

Jaycee Todayhttps://people.comDuring her time of imprisonment, she remained selfless and positive, despite her suffering. At the age of fourteen, she had her first child. Just three years later she gave birth to another baby girl. She did everything possible to give her children the normal lives they deserved. In the article “Jaycee Dugard, Her Daughters Today, and If They Ever Want to See Their Father” the author wrote, “As she and her daughters grew older, Dugard said she planted a flower in front of the shed and set up a little school to teach them as much as she could with only her fifth-grade education(Dooley9)”. She had barely received an education herself, but she wanted her daughters to have the life that she never had the ability to live. The young mother wanted to raise her children safe from the hysteria of Philip, while schooling them, so they could be somewhat normal. Despite the difficulty, Dugard continued to remain optimistic. After her rescue in 2009, she described what her present day experiences were like. The article “Jaycee Dugard Talks About Captivity” states, “Jaycee Dugard, who spent 18 years as prisoner of the California couple who abducted her, said she gets pleasure out of what to other people are simple things”(1). Jaycee is unusually positive when it comes to her outlook on life. She enjoys her life to its fullest potential, and takes nothing for granted. As shown in other interviews and her autobiography “A Stolen Life”, she even has a symbol for freedom. The pine cone has immense significance to her abduction. It was the last thing she touched before her kidnapping. It now remains close to her heart on a necklace as an indication for her experiences. In defiance of her position, she did not give up hope for her and her children.

Jaycee Dugard shows both fearless and loving qualities through her behavior in the time of her confinement. She is an inspiration due to her brave acts of defending her children and her positive outlook on her unique situation. Dugard remained untouched and confident that someday she would be found, while taking care of her two daughters with limited resources. She has now learned to appreciate each and everyday so she can live life to the fullest. Despite her unpleasant childhood experiences, Jaycee Dugard survived and is thriving today. She no longer has to fear that someone would come to hurt her. She now has closure after seeing Phillip Garrido being put into jail, where he belongs. Jaycee Dugard is today, a heroic figure to many.

Works Consulted

Dooley, Sean, et al. “Jaycee Dugard, Her Daughters Today, and If They Ever Want to See Their Father.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 8 July 2016, abcnews.go.com/US/jaycee-dugard-daughters-today-father/story?id=40279504.

Dugard, Jaycee Lee. A Stolen Life: a Memoir. Read How You Want, 2017.

Farrell, Michael B. "Somehow, it seems Jaycee raised two 'normal' daughters." Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sept. 2009, p. 90. Research in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A207248715/MSIC?u=powa9245&sid=MSIC&xid=0e143f80. Accessed 4 Feb. 2018.

Hopper, Jessica. “Jaycee Dugard Interview: She Describes Reunion with Childhood Friend.”ABC News, ABC News Network, 12 July 2011, abcnews.go.com/US/jaycee_dugard/jaycee-dugard-interview-describes-reunion-childhood-friend-leaving/story?id=14053391.

“Jaycee Dugard.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 12 Sept. 2016, www.biography.com/people/jaycee-dugard-20993627.

"Jaycee Dugard gives hope to other families." UPI NewsTrack, 29 Aug. 2009. Research in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A206849419/MSIC?u=powa9245&sid=MSIC&xid=4dffb0c. Accessed 4 Feb. 2018.

"Jaycee Dugard talks about captivity." UPI NewsTrack, 7 July 2011. Research in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A260823584/MSIC?u=powa9245&sid=MSIC&xid=18358d9. Accessed 4 Feb. 2018.

"Jaycee Dugard's mother: 'Another miracle happened'." CNN Wire, 8 May 2013. Research in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A328965186/MSIC?u=powa9245&sid=MSIC&xid=92b0849. Accessed 4 Feb. 2018.

Sawyer, Diane. “Diane Sawyer on The Inspiring Story of Jaycee Dugard.” Diane Sawyer The Inspiring Story of Jaycee Dugard - Beliefnet, Beliefnet, Inc. and/or Its Licensors, www.beliefnet.com/news/interviews/diane-sawyer-the-inspiring-story-of-jaycee-dugard.spx.

Staff, Newsweek. “Why Didn't Jaycee Run Away?” Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2010, www.newsweek.com/why-didnt-jaycee-run-away-79165.