Silent Conversations Across Brick Walls
StoryHistorical Account★★★★Segal quotes former POW Everett Alvarez who later said, “We really got to know each other through our silent conversations across the brick walls. Eventually, we learned all about each other’s childhood, background, experiences, wives and children, hopes and ambitions.” Segal goes on to report a study of over two thousand who had suffered trauma, including physical abuse, rape, or the death of a loved one. Survivors were healthier if they managed to confide in someone about the event. Those who hadn’t discussed their experiences developed more illness of various sorts-from headaches to lung disease.’
— Segal
Also attributed to: Everett Alvarez
The point
The illustration recounts how POWs formed deep bonds through tapping conversations on walls, and cites a study showing trauma survivors fare better when they confide in someone, illustrating the importance of sharing one's struggles.