1:13:00
...more and more separate.
1:13:03
He was very involved in his career.
1:13:06
And because of his attitude
towards my fears...
1:13:10
...and his inability
to deal with my feelings...
1:13:15
...l had come to have
almost no self-esteem.
1:13:19
I was scared and I was very unhappy.
1:13:22
In my mind I had no choice
but to leave.
1:13:26
At the time I left, I felt that
there was something wrong with me...
1:13:31
...and that my son would be
better off without me.
1:13:35
And it was only after I got
to California that I realized...
1:13:40
...after getting into therapy,
that I wasn't a terrible person.
1:13:46
And just because I needed some kind
of creative or emotional outlet...
1:13:51
...other than my child,
that didn't make me unfit.
1:13:55
I would like to submit in evidence
a report by Mrs. Kramer's therapist...
1:13:59
...Dr. Eleanor Freedman.
1:14:00
Objection, Your Honour.
1:14:02
The report is irrelevant
and not binding on the respondent.
1:14:05
Overruled.
1:14:08
Can you tell the court why
you are asking for custody?
1:14:13
Because he's my child...
1:14:16
...and because I love him.
1:14:19
I know I left my son.
1:14:23
I know that
that's a terrible thing to do.
1:14:29
Believe me, I have to live with that
every day of my life.
1:14:33
But in order to leave him...
1:14:35
...l had to believe it was
the only thing I could do...
1:14:40
...and that it was
the best thing for him.
1:14:43
I was incapable of functioning
in that home.
1:14:46
And I didn't know...
1:14:48
...what the alternative was...
1:14:50
...so I thought it was not best
that I take him with me.
1:14:54
However, I have since
gotten some help...
1:14:57
...and I have worked very, very hard
to become a whole human being.