I'm so sorry, chisue. I'm glad you told us, though.

Have you sought out therapy for this awful childhood sexual abuse?

And, tell everyone...

I'm sorry that you were abused in that way and by someone that should have been trustworthy. It makes me angry every time I hear about any authority figure sexually abusing young girls and boys. How dare they!

I'm so sorry, chisue. I hope this experience hasn't been a lifetime burden for you. I agree with PK completely. It could have been anyone. The public revelations about all these abusive and unacceptable wrongdoings are just the tip of a very large iceberg. It's something we should all be ashamed of. No expression of understanding could ever be enough for such victims. It really sickens me.

DOs are just as highly trained as MDs. I have worked with many anesthesiologists who are DOs and several family practice docs at my hospital are DOs. The training is rigorous. Just as there are bad medical doctors, there are bad osteopaths. I'm sorry you encountered one who took advantage of your youth and innocence.

We posted at the same time, Elmer. My experience with DOs is obviously different than yours. And the ones I have had the pleasure to work with are outstanding.

I'm sorry to hear what happened to you when you were an innocent young girl who should have been protected from that evil. Perhaps it is of some comfort to know that women of the newest generations will learn from the courage of the gymnasts who spoke out, and will not stand for being assaulted or molested, but will speak out and speak up.

Please don't blame DOs as a group. They go through the same licensing exams and residencies as MDs and are legally doctors. Their training is nearly identical to MDs. The difference is a slightly stronger emphasis on skeletal and muscular structure and mechanics, which can be helpful in treating athletes.

My doctor at one time was a DO. He was revered in our community not only by his patients but by MDs, DOs, and clinical specialists alike.

Chisue, I am sorry this happened to you.

ML

DO school admission selectivity is much less than MD schools but flawed and perverted personalities can get through any screening.

"They go through the same licensing exams and residencies as MDs "

I guess the Mayo Clinic is wrong, then?

"After medical school, both M.D.s and D.O.s must complete residency training in their chosen specialties. They must also pass the same licensing examination before they can treat people and prescribe medications."

((((Chisue))))

I'm so sorry.

Sue, I'm so very sorry for your truly awful experience.

I'm also sorry that this very moving discussion has been hijacked by elmer, once again.

I've never had an experience like that, but I would suppose it would be very confusing, especially at 16, to know that something isn't right yet feeling trapped into not leaving. That must have been very hard.

Oh Chisue. So sorry. Holding back tears.

Is this the same guy that has made the national news? Regardless, what a traumatic experience this must have been.

Sue, I have no words except....I hope you have survived that sicko.

(((HUGS)))

My apology most especially to chisue and all for the misdirection. I've deleted my comments and put them into a different thread. I did not intend the outcome as it is. I'll be more careful.

"Is this the same guy that has made the national news?"

I doubt it. I believe ChiSue is in her 70s and she said this happened when she was 16. A doctor at that time likely isn't alive today, much less functioning as the team physician for the US Gymnastics Team.

I reread. I stand corrected.

ChiSue, I am sorry that you had this experience. I'm sorry that recent events, both in the entertainment world as well as the sports world, have caused you to have to relive the memory.

I worked for a highly regarded residency program at a world known hospital. DO's are real doctors as is MDs. In fact DOs treated the whole patient not just the specific ailment. There is always a rotten apple in every bunch. No matter what profession you are in. Don't judge all DOs by this one sicko.

Sorry you had to have that experience Chisue.

I'm sorry, Sue. He took a twisted advantage of his position of trust and authority over a frightened young girl who didnt yet have the life experience to know how to deal with the creep.

Every profession has their creeps but both of the doctors that I have had that were excellent were DO's. The first was a well respected research physician who was trained and practiced overseas with an MD. Because of the rules at that time to become licensed he had to have a residency. He was too old to be accepted at most hospitals except for Osteopathic ones. Rather than giving up medicine and his research he accepted the only route that he could take. He could have also practiced law but his love was medicine. The other one was good but not as good as Dr. Romito.

Sue, this business with Nasser must have brought it up to you again. So very sorry. It probably has been the same for many other women as well, being reminded of it. I guess a parent needs to stay with a young person when seeing the doctor until they are adults. I do remember sending my teens to the dermatologist without me.

It isn't only very young people that experience inappropriate behavior. I am sorry this happened to you.

I remember when my husband was in the military, that one often saw a DO at military health care facilities. Actually, there was one who did a bronchoscopy on me at our local med school - wasn't happy with her work, compared to previous ones done by pulmonologists.

I'm a medical snob. I want to know where my doctors went to medical school, and in particular, where they did their residency. A doctor may go to a particular med school for many reasons - often financial ones. But if he's good, he will get a top match at a prestigious medical school for his residency. It's my body and my life - I want the ones who were at the top, not the bottom.

I agree with you Anglo, I'm medical snob. I want the ones that did best in their class, went to the best medical school, and did a top notch residency. I feel they are probably the best and brightest of the bunch.

See a therapist!

Your comments are heartwarming. Yes, the discovery that Nassar is a DO and not an MD has 'special' significance for me, due to my experience. I didn't say all DO's are perverts like Nassar or the man I encountered. I have known women who were assaulted by MD's, including one who was impregnated by her psychiatrist -- not the only one, as it turned out. (Didn't he have the perfect cover?)

I posted primarily to show understanding of why so few young women -- *girls* really -- did not press their complaints against a 'professional', despite their being more worldly than I was in 1957. They are mortified. They are still ignored, if not blamed. The same is true of molested boys. Why put yourself in that position when NOTHING will be done about it? Those three monkeys are still secure, the See/Hear/Say No Evil Monkeys.

I'd guess that the general public still hears "doctor" and presumes the person is an MD. That Nassar is an OD *might* be more pertinent than we know -- or not. We know it is less rigorous to achieve an OD than an MD. Also, IME, individuals who take positions in industry or schools are generally not 'the cream of the crop', regardless of the field, and oversight is often lacking.

Anyway, I'm not on a witch hunt, and...I appreciate your kind words.

Those of you with young children, concern yourselves less with 'stranger danger', and be vigilant much closer to home.

Omg, I hope you left before that creep could touch you! When I was a teenager, went to the local eye doctor. My mom was out in the waiting room and it took forever for the exam. He had the lights off and was in my face looking in my eyes and breathing heavily. A normal 10 second thing went on for more than half an hour. It was freaking me out and didn't know what the heck he was doing. Been to eye doctors multiple times since I was about 9 so I knew this wasn't right. He finally finished the "exam". I never told my mom. Later I told my friend who said she went to this guy once and never went back. She didn't elaborate, though.