Paul’s Story
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For the complete story, please read The Register-Guard's article.

On October 13, 1948, Paul Marvin McLaughlin was born along with his twin sister, Paula, at Charleroi, Pennsylvania hospital and lived in Donora, PA about 45 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh. It was a steel town, like most of the small communities tucked into the valley along Pennsylvania's Monongahela River.

From 1955 to 1964 Paul was put into special classes, having been declared a slow learner. In 1965, he was put into regular classes at Donora Junior High and Donora Senior High School. And in 1970, Paul graduated from Donora Senior High School at the age of 21.

Paul was drafted into the army in 1970. After three attempts, Paul finally passed his written test to enter the military.

In 1971, while stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Paul began to tell his story while in basic training. While telling his story, this one man told Paul, “Instead of talking about it, why don’t you do something about it?” Paul discovered in his military records, that as a child, Paul almost lost his life twice from severe abuse and hospitalized for more than 90 days trying to stay alive.

In 1972, while stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, Paul volunteered to travel around the country to bury the Vietnam Vets. His job was doing the 21-gun salute, while the others folded the flag on the coffin. That same year Paul got an honorable discharge and moved to Portland, Oregon.

Paul lived in Portland, Oregon and continued to tell his childhood story. In the back of his mind, Paul had not forgotten the conversation with the young man who said “instead of talking about it, why don't you do something about it?”

In 1975, at the age of 26, Paul wrote a 40-page booklet and tried to get it published. In that same year Paul began his street campaign of sign holding, “Help stop Child Abuse,” in Vancouver, Washington. Paul also made a trip to Washington DC and Donora, Pennsylvania. Paul began his one-man campaign on child abuse. Many adults laughed at him.

In 1976, Paul went door to door for the Cancer Society and also passed out literature on things like “What to look for in Child Abuse.” He worked on the street for the homeless and child abuse. During the fund-raising, Paul had the opportunity to tell his story. He referred children who needed help to agencies specializing in alcohol or drugs, and he helped those who were homeless or were victims of child abuse.

In 1978, first appeared on the KGW radio in Portland, a live call in talk show. In 1980, Paul did another talk show, where he told his story and got much response from listeners regarding his campaign on child abuse. Paul also appeared at Franklin High School in Portland and Battle Ground High School in Vancouver, Washington, to tell his story and his one man campaign.

In 1990, Paul moved to Eugene, Oregon and in 1992, “The Child Abuse Man Story” was published in the Eugene Register-Guard newspaper. He also did a TV commercial, an open forum at North Eugene High School, worked with the Children First For Oregon Campaign and KPNW Radio Raising Funds for S.C.A.R., which is a home for abused children in Jasper, Oregon. Paul has also worked along with Birth to Three, Looking Glass, Relief Nursery, Children Services Division and many local programs for children.

Since 1975, Paul Has Done More Than 12 Open Forums In Oregon And Washington And More Than Six Radio Programs On His Story.

“Our children are our future, but their well-being in our society continues to decline. The health and safety of our children is everyone’s responsibility. Please help to ensure healthy, safe children and families in our community by taking action as an individual, group, or business.”

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