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Meet the Children of the Mountains

Children in Central Appalachia struggle to overcome poverty, family struggles.

Inside a Hidden America

Photo: Isolated pockets in Central Appalachia have three times the national poverty rate, an epidemic of prescription drug abuse and the shortest life span in the nation. Diane Sawyer reports.
Photo: Courtney, 12, has two dreams: a house for her family and boots with a little fake fur worn by children she's seen on TV.
Photo: Angel, shown here with her daughter Mary, used to be addicted to drugs and would disappear for days at a time.
Photo: Courtney and her sister Sable live in Appalachia.
Photo: Dr. Edwin Smith's mobile dental clinic.
Photo: Shawn Grim, 18, is the star running-back for the Johnson Central Golden Eagles.
Photo: Shawn in the doorway of his family's trailer in Flat Gap, Ky.
Photo: Shawn's family's hollow.
Photo: Erica, 11, lives in Appalachia.
Photo: Erica, 12, and Diane Sawyer.
Photo: Erica cries after social services forces her mother, Mona, into rehab.
Photo: 18-year-old Jeremy decided to become a coal miner.
Photo: Jeremy shows Diane Sawyer the work he has to do underground
Photo: Diane Sawyer meets up with a group of miners working three-and-a-half miles inside the belly of the mountain.
Photo: Diane Sawyer is shown here with one of the many children of the mountains.
Photo: Erica, 11, lives in Appalachia.
Erica, 11, is an old soul, but like so many other pre-teens she loves playing basketball, roller-blading and drawing. (ABC News)
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