What children can teach us about hope and grief | Patty Wetterling | TEDxStCloud

Following a family tragedy, a mother and secondary teacher treasures the uncanny wisdom taught by children. Patty was a stay-at-home mother of four children when her world was rocked by the abduction of her 11-year-old son, Jacob, on October 22, 1989. With a shattered heart, Patty began studying child abduction and sexual exploitation. The more she learned, the more she needed to share. Her advocacy led to passing Federal legislation requiring sex offenders to register addresses with law enforcement. Patty served on the board for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for 22 years and consulted for the US Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Though her hopes have grown and changed, Patty believes there are more good people than bad, and she is committed to fighting for a world where children have the right to grow up safe and follow their dreams. Patty never gave up, and Jacob’s Hope is very much alive in the hearts of all who shared in her journey. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx