Article first published as The Power of Forgiveness on Blogcritics.
In 2006, The Boston Globe reported a about a little girl named Kai Leigh Harriott. At the age of three, she was left without movement from the waist down, after being shot by David Warren. The bullet had shattered her spine and left her in a wheel chair.The story was all over the Boston news stations and in all the local papers. The people living in the Boston area were interested, even inspired by her story.
There are shootings in Boston all the time, so why did this little girl’s story become a popular one? Maybe it was because when the little girl faced her shooter in a court room only a few years after the shooting, she did something remarkable, and for some people it seemed incredulous. She forgave the man who caused her such great injury and changed her world forever. David Warren was later sentenced to 13-15 years in prison, with five years probation.
In April, 2006, Kai Leigh Harriot was just a small first grader and spoke to the man who had paralyzed her at the age of 3. At the sentencing hearing she said: “What you done to me was wrong. But I still forgive you.”
The Globe’s Article reported:
“In emotionally wrenching victim-impact statements that left many spectators in tears, Kai and four members of her family told a Suffolk Superior Court judge that the shooting had changed their lives forever, but had also shown them the value of forgiveness.
“We’re not victims here; we’re victors,” said Kai’s mother, Tonya David, addressing the court.
Moments later, [Anthony] Warren, 29, a convicted felon who pleaded guilty yesterday to avoid a trial, approached Kai and her family and, in barely audible tones, apologized.
[The girl's mother] recalled his words later. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you and your family,” she said Warren told her. “I was known in the street for all the wrong reasons, and now I want to be known for the right reasons.”
People were left wondering how the little girl and her mother could forgive such evil. Many assumed that this family must be very spiritual since many religions preach the importance that forgiveness should play in every life. But you don’t have to be religious to benefit from the act of forgiving.
Studies on the topic of forgiveness suggest that, although it may be difficult to do, forgiveness actually has health benefits. Melissa Healy wrote an article for the Los Angelos Times in 2007 called “Forgive and Be Well”. She reported that “researchers have shown that “forgiveness interventions” — often just a couple of short sessions in which the wounded are guided toward positive feelings for an offender — can improve cardiovascular function, diminish chronic pain, relieve depression and boost quality of life among the very ill.”
Social Scientists have even been able to quantify the power of forgiveness as well. On January 2, 1998, ABC News reported “studies show that letting go of anger and resentment can reduce the severity of heart disease and, in some cases, even prolong the lives of cancer patients.”
And in 1995, Social Scientists reported that forgiveness may even help society at large by preventing crime. The University of Montgomery conducted a study on forgiveness which indicated that forgiveness education could play a key role in reducing the vengeful responses that lead to criminal acts.
Frederic Luskin, PHD, wrote an article for Stanford Medicine in the late 90′s called “The Art and Science of Forgiveness-If you feel good but want to feel even better, try forgiving someone.” In his article, Luskin writes:
“One explanation for why forgiveness may be beneficial for physical health is that it deepens and promotes interpersonal relationships. Another possibility is that forgiveness is a form of religious expression or may be an indication of a positive spiritual experience. There exist a number of studies that attest to the beneficial effect that positive relationships and good social ties have on indices of physical health. There are other studies that implicate social support with decreased mortality. There is also a group of studies that demonstrate that people who have strong religious affiliations, or use religious coping, have de-creased mortality.”
Even the great American author, Mark Twain, had something to say about the virtuous act of forgiving. He was once quoted as having said; “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.”
Without a doubt, David Warren was a terrible heel but he was unable to crush the little Boston girl’s spirit. Her ability to forgive was very powerful and inspired many Bostonians, at the time. Today, science is proving that there are many reasons why forgiveness is the correct choice over revenge and resentment. Scientists are finding it is actually good for you.
RESOURCES:
A Campaign For Forgiveness Research (1999-2005)
Stanford Medicine, Volume 16 Number 4, SUMMER 1999
ARTICLES ON THE BOSTON GIRL’S SHOOTING:
Shooter Reaches Out, Apologizes To Paralyzed Girl (Includes video of Kai Leigh Harriott being interviewed and related stories listed at end of article.)
The Innocent- The Boston Globe
SOME GREAT ARTICLES ON THE TOPIC OF FORGIVENESS:
Creative Development-Growing a Child’s Unique Gifts; Teaching Forgiveness
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011
