Hidden Lake academy

[aftenthurston]

HLA does wonders for some kids, even though it may take a while for them to admit it. you grow from every experience, and get something out of it. even the negitive things, in all relativity, are positive. maybe my views come because of a few special people or maybe they come on my own... but because of that experience, i know myself much better, allowing me to let others in. Everyone who knows me, knows that Nanette was, and still is my role model. even though recent events have taken place, i still model my life in some ways after she and Cathy. i love them so damn much... i learned more through them than i ever could have... although my counslers sucked wicked bad... there were good people there. (you notice i say WERE) it's not the place that makes it something, it's the people.

[Jarhead6]

[ This Message was edited by: Jarhead6 on 2006-01-25 11:00 ]

[aftenthurston]

thank you... who are you? email me aftenthurston@yahoo.com
although i was a student there, i am a supporter of HLA in many many ways...

[Anonymous]

If anybody cares, this is just one of the quotes from the website:

"Two Masters?-level Counselors are assigned to a Peer Group and remain with that Peer Group throughout the entire therapeutic program"

It's a big fat lie.  I'm the parent of a kid who "graduated."  He had at LEAST 6 or 7 different counselors (not all Masters'-level.)  I really don't know how they can get away with printing this.

[Anonymous]

Aften said:
even the negitive things, in all relativity, are positive.

So, with that logic, within all positive experiences would also be negative?
Sounds like you have found a philosophy that works for you, that allows you to accept your time there. That's great, but it's not your place to evaluate others' perceptions of the experience. Everything IS relative. And unlike HLA taught you, there's more than one way to perceive and interpret things.

Has it occured to you that your experience may have been better because you had two (lesbian?) allies who made your time there more enjoyable/tolerable?

Again, that is fine and good, but the fact that it 'could've been worse' doesn't justify your attempt to dictate to others what and how they should communicate. I am curious as to why it bothers you and Pip that others speak their mind.. something they were not allowed to do while at HLA. I've heard that it is easier for the girls. Might that be true?

Change can't and won't happen until problems are identified. Problems aren't identified if people don't talk about them. I assume that the 'positive' things were not problems. So, why would it be the goal of this forum or the participants to speak only of the 'positive'?

HLA lied to parents on a regular basis. They played child against parent. That is unethical and needs to be exposed, along with anything else that is unethical or questionable. Doesn't matter if there were a few good staff or a few good memories. The whole picture needs to be viewed, not small slices that you recall as positive.

[Jarhead6]

[ This Message was edited by: Jarhead6 on 2006-01-25 11:00 ]

[Kcmoney05]

Ight check it The whole webpage is a lie I had 4 different counselers and the web page does not show
special reels
restrictions
ridge creek
special interventions
reels with BILL WHITE (bitch ass)
fall out
ect ect
Aften your full of shit man HLA did not do shit accept the very few people that helped me there and they all left so AFTEN shut your mouth man "supporter of HLA" get the hell out here dawg 4real

[aftenthurston]

I have the right to express my beliefs of things, just as everyone else does. Everything was not all great and perfect there, but people have the tendencies of focusing on the bad, not the good, in things. If you open yourself to change and acceptance, than that is what you get...
and why does the fact that my "allies" were two lesbians? what matter does that make??

[Anonymous]

Of course, you can express your beliefs and experience. It's your right, as it is others. It is not your right or duty to tell others what to put their attention on, or that what they choose to share is negative. That goes beyond expressing beliefs and experience into making a value judgment and critcism. That was the point. If what they choose to share offends your sensibilities, you also have the right to ignore what you find unpleasant.

Fact is, people will put their attention where they determine it is best put until they choose to put it elsewhere. Having a bad experience and sharing about it, is not necessarily 'living in the past'. Sometimes it is necessary to resolve issues of the past. That's my belief.

No matter about your 'allies'. It's great that you had them. Just figured that could've been a factor in your acceptance/ tolerance of being incarcerated. I would think it would be easier than being told your preference was some form of mental illness, or having your peers giving you shit about it.

[Anonymous]

what im saying is dont dwell on the past. learn from it and make changes so things are positive in the future. its all up to you, no one else at all. you say you are on here to do something- if you really want to change HLA and places like it, go to court or do something REAL. posting on here wont do too much.

[Pip]

oh sorry that was me, pippa....the above ^^^ oh and who is the anonomys person i am responding to...why wont people say there names? I dont ghet it..

[aftenthurston]

Im not criticizing anyone on here. i do believe that everyone should express how they feel. i am just pointing out that i had a somewhat positive experience at HLA.
I did get constantly critized for my sexual preference, too. Nanette did console me in many events, but it didn't make it tons easier.
To each his own... everything has flaws, including everyone.

[Pip]

oh i was talking to anonomous, not aften. sorry..i agree with you aften i think and also with my three pg boys

[aftenthurston]

it's all good... i can see both sides of the spectrum, i just choose to stick with a more positive one... i think that's just part of me though. i view everyting as a learning experience. =)

[Pip]

yah, you just have to determine if it was positive or negitive. any situation could be positive, no matter how "bad". its allllll persepective, and the key to being happy is to see even "bad" experiences as good and to learn from them...kinda like the whole glass half empty or half full deal.