May 7th, 2013

Elizabeth Smart to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer: “They should still follow their dreams, follow the life that they wanted to have.”

Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped and held captive for nine months, joined CNN’s Wolf Blitzer today to talk about how she moved her life forward and the advice she would give the Cleveland women. Highlights from the interview are below; a full transcript will be posted on http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/sitroom.html.

Highlight from the interview
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BLITZER:  So what advice would you have for these three women in Cleveland?

SMART:  First of all, I want them to know that nothing that has happened to them will ever diminish their value and it should never hold them back from doing what they want to do.  They should still follow their dreams, follow the life that they wanted to have.  They should still be able to have that.

I also want them to know that they don’t need to ever feel pressured into saying anything.  Take as much time as they need.  And if they decide never to share their stories, that would be OK, too.

BLITZER:  What do you think they should expect in the next, let’s say, day or — or two or week or month?

What are the — what are — what are they going to be going through?

SMART:  I am sure it’s going to be so much of a whirlwind.  There are so many legal things that have to take place.  There are so many adjustments that have to be made, I mean going back to a family, going back to freedom, to having a real life again, from heaven only knows what they went through and how they managed to survive it, 10, 11, 12 years.  It’s just incredible that they are walking away from this horrendous nightmare alive and safe today.

BLITZER:  What helped you, Elizabeth, the most when it — when it came to healing?

SMART:  My family, my faith in God and the support of the community and the prayers of so many.  That’s made such a difference in my life.

BLITZER:  You’re now married with children.  You can be an inspiration.

Would you like to meet with these three women in Cleveland, just to have a little private meeting with them and talk to them about what — what lies ahead for them and potentially a great new world for them?

SMART:  I certainly would be honored to speak with them.  But at the same time, I, more than anybody, will respect their privacy, because I’m sure at this moment, that’s all probably they want is time to regroup, time to heal, time — just time to move on with their life.

So I would never want to intrude on their personal space.  But I would be honored to speak with them if they ever would like me to.
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