Parents: Considering sending your child to a TBS, RTC, or Wi

[Nihilanthic]

On 2006-05-11 12:24:00, brokenlegNO wrote:

"Laura Lee,



I just read a previous post of yours.



I know where you went.



I actually read your post a while back and when I called the specific Wilderness programs I asked specifically about the concerns you raised- concerning water, food and general safety.  I also talked to two graduates of the program, one that loved it one that hated it. But, they both feel like it was worthwhile and non-abusive.  The young woman I talked to hated the hiking but the young man loved it.



Thanks. "

Define worthwhile, and non abusive.

Define any positive effects it has, and how it accomplishes them.

Define why its ends justify the means of nonconsentual treatment, that the medical mainstream frowns upon and the legal system would consider a crime anywhere but a program or a wilderness camp.

Use facts and reason here. Truthiness will be put in its proper place - with all the other bullshit.

Thanks.

[Nihilanthic]

On 2006-05-11 11:40:00, LauraLee wrote:

"Sadly, I'm real too. I just recently, as 8 months ago graduated "wilderness therapy". I like to think of myself as slightly intelligent, and would be happy to answer the questions of parents looking to send their children to WT.



No bias here, just the facts (ma'am =) )"

Ok, which wilderness camp, and why?

Were you put there unwillingly? If you did go willingly could you leave when you wanted?

If you werent allowed to leave, and/or made to go, how would you justify that.

What did it do positively, if anything, and how?

[brokenlegNO]

I don't think I posed those questions to you Nihilanthic.

[Anonymous]

Niles- you wonder why you got kicked off ST. You come across as hostile and aggressive. Parents don't have to subject themselves to an inquisition by you. If you want to ask questions which might be answered, you better work on your bedside manner a little.

[Troll Control]

On 2006-05-11 14:03:00, brokenlegNO wrote:

"I don't think I posed those questions to you Nihilanthic."

That's why he quotes LauraLee, dumbass.  He's talking to her, not you.

[brokenlegNO]

Oh, I'm so sorry my darling.  Please forgive me and while you are at it, bite me.

[brokenlegNO]

Laura Lee,

Please feel free to send me your thoughts via email or a personal message.  I don't want you to get thrown into this briar patch.

[Nihilanthic]

On 2006-05-11 14:20:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Niles- you wonder why you got kicked off ST. You come across as hostile and aggressive. Parents don't have to subject themselves to an inquisition by you. If you want to ask questions which might be answered, you better work on your bedside manner a little."

 :cry2:  :cry2:  :cry2:  :cry2:

As Ive said before, Im not one to sugarcoat or whitewash.

Furthermore, hostile and aggressive questioning is part of these programs that these parents are so gung ho about subjecting thier children to.

Why oh why cant these grown ADULTS handle it? HMM?

Fuck off.  :tup:

[LauraLee]

Bleh, didn't mean to start any drama.

I have a couple on questions for you.

1) What program did you attend?

Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Expeditions.

2) Did you go willingly?

Not at all.

3) And, if you didn't, were you escorted?

I was escorted. Pretty frightening, but they were nice people because I cooperated. I don't even want to think what it would be like if I didn't cooperate...

4) Did you get anything positive out of it?

Well... I guess I learned how to conquer my fears, but not in the most positive of ways (they forced me to do things I sure as hell was petrified of [like rock-climbing, I'm terrified of heights]). But other than that, no. I came home just the same way as I left. It took new therapy, new medication, and a new school/new friends to make me the "sane" (whatever that may be) girl I am today.

5) If you didn't, did anyone in your group?
 
I think they may have (especially this one girl who was addicted to cocaine), but I guess I can't judge that because I don't know whether she is still sober. I think everyone gets a little something out of it, but I don't think that you need an intense 7 week trip in the mountains of Oregon to get positive coping skills.

Hope this doesn't start any fights... I'm just trying to help  ::eek3::

[LauraLee]

On 2006-05-11 12:24:00, brokenlegNO wrote:

"Laura Lee,



I just read a previous post of yours.



I know where you went.



I actually read your post a while back and when I called the specific Wilderness programs I asked specifically about the concerns you raised- concerning water, food and general safety.  I also talked to two graduates of the program, one that loved it one that hated it. But, they both feel like it was worthwhile and non-abusive.  The young woman I talked to hated the hiking but the young man loved it.



Thanks. "

No staff member was physically abusive. They never called us names. I'd pinpoint the "abuse" as emotional. It's rough out there, you have to put everything out on the table about yourself, or else they threaten you with another three week trip. I know two people that had to do the first part of the trip again. I think the record was three consecutive three-week trips... I don't know how that solves anything.

I hated the hiking. I was a little overweight when I started, and I am in no way athletic. I don't think they took into account the different body types that we had. I'm also from Boston, which is sea level, and I had no time to adjust to the elevation of where we were (about 6,000-8,000 feet, depending on the area). I got a pretty bad nosebleed on the first week there. That wasn't that big of a deal, however. We also went out to the desert a couple of weeks, and both times we were in the desert I fainted. One of the times was from dehydration/not eating as much as I was supposed to. The other time was because I (stupidly) didn't eat anything that morning. However, I had an eating problem to begin with, and they did not realize that. It was mostly my fault, but I feel they should be more wary about the whole eating problem. All the people out there (girls especially) have severe self-esteem issues, and are most definetly more prone to eating problems than most.

When I fainted from dehydration, I also couldn't hold down any water, I kept vomiting it back up. I read somewhere that that is a sign of severe dehydration, and you should go to a hospital if that should ever occur. I was just put under the shade of a tree and waited out until I could hold down the water.

I don't know, take of it what you will...

Jeeze, I just wrote a lot...[ This Message was edited by: LauraLee on 2006-05-12 11:05 ]

[LauraLee]

On 2006-05-11 12:16:00, brokenlegNO wrote:

"Sorry, that was me.  I forgot to login.



One more question:



Do you like the outdoors?  I see you are from Boston and I can't say many of my Boston friends are "outdoorsy.""

Haha, that's a stereotype. I like the outdoors (canoeing on the Charles is something I like to do), and I live in a suburb of Boston that is pretty secluded, it's about 10 miles south west of Boston.

Also, I love going to New Hampshire, and it's very woodsy there. (is woodsy even a word?)

However, I can't say I LOVE the outdoors. I do just fine in a city, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

[brokenlegNO]

Thanks Laura,  it is refreshing to actually speak to someone on Fornits without an agenda.  Thanks for answering the questions I asked of you.  I didn't mean to stereotype you either!  I figure some people might hate the wilderness and from my childhood and adolescent experiences as a summer camper, it was the kids from the big metro areas that disliked roughing it the most.

[LauraLee]

No problem, always happy to help! =)

[Truth Searcher]

On 2006-05-11 20:13:00, Nihilanthic wrote:

"Furthermore, hostile and aggressive questioning is part of these programs that these parents are so gung ho about subjecting thier children to."

If you are so opposed to this type of manipulative dialog (as we all should be)... then try something more productive.  You know old adages ... "like the pot calling the kettle black" "those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" ... yada yada.

If hostile and aggressive questioning isn't productive in the TBS setting, why do you think it will be productive in this setting?[ This Message was edited by: Truth Searcher on 2006-05-12 13:48 ]

[CCM girl 1989]

On 2006-05-11 20:13:00, Nihilanthic wrote:

"

On 2006-05-11 14:20:00, Anonymous wrote:


"Niles- you wonder why you got kicked off ST. You come across as hostile and aggressive. Parents don't have to subject themselves to an inquisition by you. If you want to ask questions which might be answered, you better work on your bedside manner a little."

 :cry2:  :cry2:  :cry2:  :cry2:



As Ive said before, Im not one to sugarcoat or whitewash.



Furthermore, hostile and aggressive questioning is part of these programs that these parents are so gung ho about subjecting thier children to.



Why oh why cant these grown ADULTS handle it? HMM?



Fuck off.  :tup: "

You know Niles has a good point. These programs are very in your face, and are extremely aggresive. So, there are a few swear words that we throw around here? Big fucking deal.

We here at fornits don't let parents get away with anything, and you're right we will call you on it.

It's not much different then what your kids were/are going through? So, do me/us a favor and stop acting so high, and mighty. If you can't handle an occasional fuck, shit, asshole, bitch once in a while...........lock your doors, close the shades, and throw your computer and TV out.

Also confrontations happen all the time in life......maybe you should grow a thicker skin......then come back?


 [ This Message was edited by: CCM girl 1989 on 2006-05-12 14:41 ]