Today On 'Anderson' -- Cheating Death & Sterilization

How I Cheated Death / Forced Sterilization

Thursday, May 31, 2012

From a terrifying hostage stand off to being buried alive in sand, Anderson speaks with everyday people who defied the odds and cheated death. How did they find the strength to save themselves, and what can everyone learn from their situations?

Meet a woman who was held hostage in her home, at gunpoint, by her own husband. After twelve hours of being taunted and tormented, it all came to an end when the home was engulfed in flames. Find out how she survived. For the first time on the show, she meets the hero dispatcher who helped save her life.

How did an 11-year-old boy go from digging in the sand to being buried alive? Hear his frightening story and find out how a small air pocket, along with his ability to stay calm, helped save his life. Learn how you can survive a traumatic situation.

Then, a hidden and shameful part of our history that will shock you. Imagine the government said you were either too poor, too promiscuous or not smart enough to have children… and forced your sterilization. It happened in this country as late as the 1970s. Tens of thousands of Americans were sterilized against their will; men, women and even children.

Straight from the headlines, one woman shares her harrowing story of how a state government sterilized her over 44 years ago. Hear why she was targeted and what she wants everyone to know. Victims are speaking out, and they not only want an apology, they want justice. It's important to understand how this happened... so it never happens again.