Cracked, Not Broken is a book written by Kevin Hines. The book recounts the struggles Kevin has faced throughout his life, his battle with mental health and most importantly, his near fatal jump from the Golden Gate Bridge on September 24, 2000. To date, only 25 individuals have survived the jump out of 1700. This is Kevin’s story.
Kevin and his brother were born to drug addicted parents. He and his brother Jordache, who would die at less than two years old from bronchitis, where repeatedly left alone in dirty, rundown hotel/motels while their parents roamed the streets to score the drugs they needed to feed their addictions. Keven describes the condition he and his brother were found in by police officers as “scrawny, malnourished, red faced and creaming for their lives.” Kevin became a legal ward of the state of California and was quickly adopted by his parents Debi and Patrick Hines. Kevin joined the Hines family quite seamlessly and began to live a normal life with his new loving parents and siblings to keep him company. At first glance, it would seem that Kevin had it made, however Kevin nor his family could have predicted the mental health madness that would plague their lives before Kevin would turn 20.
- I’m looking forward to diving deeper into this book and seeing if the mental health troubles Kevin lives with will have any connection to his parent’s drug use prior to his birth and what mental health issues they may have been living with themselves.
Cracked, Not Broken 
Wow, this is sad to read. Can’t imagine the pain this man is having to live with. Addict parents, little or no nurturing, sadness and despair. Stories like this really make people feel thankful for what they have and count each day as a blessing. I feel like this is going to be another tale of children see, children do and relates to Bandura’s modelling theory. Can’t wait to read more blogs from you.
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It is remarkable how the past paves the way for our future. Even though Kevin was given a new lease on life, the pavement of his path had already started. I can only imagine the pain he must have experienced; possibly even survivor’s guilt since he lived and his brother died. It is unfortunate some children are born into these conditions. However I am glad that his jump wasn’t fatal and he lived to tell his tale. This is a book I will be reading in my spare time. Good Job on this introductory blog!
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Sadly this is reality, I cant imagine the pain, the fear, the sadness that Kevin went through. Having his brother die at such a young age. Fortunately, a family wanted to love a child. Fostering a child is an incredible thing, however, sometimes there are so many issues or troubles that you have to go through throughout their childhood. I had a neighbour with five kids, the oldest told me that they were only allowed three drinks a day and that her 3 year old brother got caught drinking out of the toilet. His dad gave him a swirly and sent him back outside. Later that day, I watched the older girl drink from a septic drain. I told her not to drink that it was dirty. I called CAS and reported the parents, and proceeded to give drinks when I could or popsicles, and the little guys are supper with my daughter ever night. Plate of food to feed them both, they would sit one on each side of the fence and share the food. The young boy told me he would stay with me forever and ever. Sadly the mother would never go for that. Sadly things like this happens:( .
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I look forward to reading more of your blogs
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Parenting is inefficient, inefficient and inconsistent. There is never a sense of protection and continuity which helps children to thrive. Most experience mental, if not physical, trauma and therefore bear issues of trust and rage regarding their history, often even aimed at the sober parent. The sober adult is so depressed in some situations that he or she becomes more irritated, demanding, and irritable than the addict, who might have withdrawn from home.
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