11 Comments
User's avatar
Anne's avatar

In June 2020 I was attacked by 2 boxer dogs with 1 biting my thigh. The panic attacks I had after Grandpa Ralph (2006) and Mom (2011) died returned. Based on prior experiences I directly did some research and found a counselor. She said that a person doesn't have to go to war to have PTSD and that being attacked by dogs qualifies. I'm still scared of dogs which are loose or chained near sidewalks or leaning out car windows. Sometimes people say "oh my dog won't hurt you, it's just friendly!" Riiiiiight, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'm selling, dirt cheap, you want in on it?

It's an animal and something could set off any dog. I can't run very well or fast so I end up freezing until it's called off.

Expand full comment
Kali White VanBaale's avatar

Anne, thank you for sharing your experience here. I was also attacked by a dog as a child (thankfully no injuries) and was so terrified of them for many years. Very interesting and important what your counselor said about PTSD!

Expand full comment
Laura Belin's avatar

The podcast You’re Wrong About did a four part series about Britney Spears. It was very sympathetic to her and illuminating.

Expand full comment
Kali White VanBaale's avatar

I’ve seen a few documentaries about her story and conservatorship and it’s just really sad for her and her children. Seems like so few people have done right by her.

Expand full comment
Ice Cube Press, LLC's avatar

Very good. Thanks opened my eyes a bit wider

Expand full comment
Kali White VanBaale's avatar

Thank you, Steve.

Expand full comment
MaryAnn Mathis's avatar

Kali , this reminds me of Frances Farmer. Thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment
Kali White VanBaale's avatar

Yes, great point MaryAnn!

Expand full comment
Risa's avatar

The article popped up on my Substack . I never post but the last comment putting her in the same space as Francis Farmer ??? It’s very frustrating once again making assumptions about Spears off of Instagram posts. Spears has been performing and dancing since she was a child. Even under the conservatorship and when her children were used as a weapon to force her to perform to see them (!)she still performed maintaining a rigorous performance schedule. Once she gained her freedom she has chosen to not perform live again . What is a person who loves to dance and perform + and appreciates her fans who really were the ones who helped end her conservatorship ? Harmless dancing on Instagram in tacky clothes. That does not make her someone unstable. She may be emotionally stunted in some ways but she is living her own life right now for the first time any many years - continues a regimen of healthy eating and exercise , reading, and telling the world whatever the hell she likes . And to compare her to Francis Farmer ..? Respectfully, R

Expand full comment
Kali White VanBaale's avatar

I appreciate your perspective here, Rebecca. I saw the Frances Farmer reference as similarities to Spears’ difficult childhood, forced hospitalizations, and also a conservatorship she had to fight to get out of.

My focus of the article was intended to not be any judgement of Spears herself and more about possible unseen effects on children.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
May 26
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Kali White VanBaale's avatar

So true!

Expand full comment