I've got into the habit of posting about stuff I care deeply about on this list and since the news broke I've been unable to get the plight of Elizabeth Fritzl out of my head. All day at work and all night the image of her hell hole keeps coming back all the time.
Ghastly it must have been for her children, but at least they knew no different world, Elizabeth did.

To be deprived of virtually everything that makes life a life for twenty four years and be tortured, physically, mentally and spiritually all that time.

To exist through all that and not become suicidal or driven crazy.

To miss being out in the cold and coming back into the warm, going to a party, giving a party, shopping, walking in the bush, having a job, making decisions, finding a lover, making friends. Missing the friends she'd already made.

Having no contact but with her mad authoritarian rapist captor. Noone to cuddle up to or have a laugh with.

Bearing and looking after her children, alone, in concentration camp conditions.

Trying to escape after ten years, failing and carrying on. After twenty four years, being ready and able to to dare stick a help note in her daughter's pocket when she finally was sent to hospital.

Elizabeth Fritzl's survival of such an ordeal is an extraordinary individual heroism and a triumph of the human spirit. An inspiration to keep on going when every single thing in your universe seems hopeless. Her example should be taken as a priceless gift to revolutionary humanity.

Don Franks