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Trigger warning straight up, as I am talking about the effects of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences)... and an incredibly vulnerable post for me (that's what we signed up for in this Business as we believe that makes the biggest positive impact) as I will share transparently that "little Rob" received a score of 9/10...
Here we go...
📸 is of a young Rob with a football trophy with some of his footy mates
Your ACE score starts with a simple test listing 10 of the most common adverse childhood experiences. A single point is scored for each one a person has suffered. Even a score of 2 or 3 can increase a person's risk of facing a lifetime of issues.
These are the 10 Adverse Childhood Experiences:
Abuse - Emotional, Physical, Sexual
Neglect - Emotional & Physical
Household Challenges - Violence, Parental Separation / Divorce, Incarcerated household member, Substance abuse in the house, Mental illness in the household.
As the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for these outcomes. This is the % increase risk from the original ACE study for people who have an ACE score of 4+:
16.5% - Smoker
18.3% - attempt suicide
50.7% - depression for 2+ weeks in the last year
28.4% - illicit drugs
16.1% - alcoholic
12% - severe obesity
📸 is of a teenage Rob around some of his schoolmates
ACEs themselves disrupt a brain's development, with immediate & lasting consequences. Insufficient or maladaptive brain growth gives rise to social, emotional & cognitive dysfunction.
To cope with their trauma, a person may self-soothe by engaging in unhealthy or risky behaviours. Those behaviours increase health risks - disease, disability & social problems - that accumulate & become chronic.
📸 is of a teenage Rob
All is not lost though... let's talk PACEs...
PACEs - Protective & Compensatory Experiences - are known to act as buffers or insulators against childhood trauma and promote healing. A person with an ACE score of 4 who had no PACEs may have a very different outcome from someone with an ACE score of 4 who had a loving grandmother, teacher or coach.
The most prominent PACE is the unconditional love of a parent or mentor. Others include:
Having at least one friend
Mindfulness
Exercise or physical activity
Hobbies or clubs
A school that provides resources
Just another reason why I do the work that I do... I want to be a PACE for as many of my clients who need it. It is absolutely crucial. I had PACEs in my life... including really special ones in the last few years.
I share this also so we can all understand the power of kindness & seeing people at their soul level. It's more powerful than we give it credit. Some of us are finding our way home as adults, lighting up new paths for those that come after that lead to new, brighter futures. I may have stumbled in my own journey, but I will not fail my clients. They show me every day my purpose in life, why I have endured what I have endured and what I have to offer this world.
- Rob x
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