Ellen Foster goes through many shocking events at a very young age in the novel, Ellen Foster, by Kaye Gibbons. Some might say these events have strenghtened her as a girl, have strenghtened her for life, and as a woman later on. Others might say these events have shocked her for life and she will never be healed.
I believe it has strenghtened her more than anything else. She is now prepared to go through obstacles in life that have already been encountered, so she has the knowledge and the skills needed to deal with such incidents.