Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Ridge Creek School / Hidden Lake Academy => Topic started by: Deborah on May 31, 2006, 10:06:00 PM
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Note: Deborah did not write this post. It was moved from another thread.
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... 180#198466 (http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?topic=15117&forum=41&start=180#198466)
Hi everyone....
I have a half-brother at HLA. I will not say anymore about his id in case some from HLA monitor these boards. I want to help fight these people. I had a bad feeling about this place...and I hate it when I am right (I tend to be a Cassandra about impending disaster and the like).
His mom is a well-meaning, but out of her depth parent who isn't dealing well with her own issues regarding a messy divorce with my father...who did more to screw my brother up than anything else. And yeah...some damn Ed Con talked her into it..even had my wife convinced. But now...with Ranger School grads (wearing Army green does not make you qualified to work with troubled teens who have enough trust and adjustment issues) and "Andersonville-Lite" for the kiddies, it's enough to make me see red. I want to help. I may be in NYC, but these folks have made war on my family by selling them a pack of lies, and I intend to see it through by seeing this place be brought down.
Tours l'Audace people!"
[ This Message was edited by: Deborah on 2006-06-10 21:52 ]
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That's better.
Welcome.
Have you been allowed any contact with your brother?
My son was in the second group to attend Ridge Creek when they were unlicensed and the staff was predominantly Mt Rangers. While there are still some remaining, there aren't near as many as in the beginning. None had experience working with children and seemed to enjoy restraining them at every opportunity. There's more on the topic here if you're interested.
HLA does monitor this forum on a regular basis.
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So far, little.
They fowarded one of the three emails I have sent. I have spoken more to him on the phone during his breaks, of which he has had two. He has described many of the same incidents that have been mentioned on these boards. He's the one who told ME about these boards.
I am not surprised HLA monitors these boards...wonder what they have to hide really? And I keep hearing how anything he attempts to say to me in any communication is "manipulative"...Glad to hear that the Rangers are not there as much any more, but the lack of a Nurse does concern me, as does the punitive use of food.
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Are they still limiting calories for kids on restriction?
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I didn't get to ask him about that, but he did tell me he was almost beaten up by several of his bunkies and the staff was indifferent after he reported it. He also mentioned stripsearches as well and academics being "really easy".
He pointed me to the HEAL website, and said he'd either heard of, or had much of the following happen to him personally. What worried me the most was the communication, or lack therof. That's what got me doing the research, especially today when he called.
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On 2006-05-31 21:50:00, Anonymous wrote:
" I didn't get to ask him about that, but he did tell me he was almost beaten up by several of his bunkies and the staff was indifferent after he reported it. He also mentioned stripsearches as well and academics being "really easy".
He pointed me to the HEAL website, and said he'd either heard of, or had much of the following happen to him personally. What worried me the most was the communication, or lack therof. That's what got me doing the research, especially today when he called.
"
Hello and welcome. First let me say that I am sorry for your situation - especially for your brother.
I can see you've done some homework on HLA and there have been some red flags raised about the "treatment" your brother is receiving. You are right to be wary and suspiscious of the practices of an unlicensed, unregulated residential treatment center. There is no oversight by anyone and consequently HLA is a dangerous environment for children.
Recently it has been discovered that the owner of the facility (an Ed Con) has made placements of dangerous and violent children including one who was diagnosed with pedophilia. There have been assaults and violent sexual batteries recently. This facility is no place for children.
Do you have any means by which to get your brother released? Who has custody? How old is he?
Please try to ignore the incessant trolling of these threads as well. HLA is desperate and is reportedly insolvent and they do monitor these boards and send employees to derail each thread. Of course, you also have my personal trolls (an unemployed lwayer and program parent named Karen and a wanna-be psychologist and program parent named Anne) who spend most of their days here slamming people, but not refuting any of the evidence presented.
If you have any specific questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them or connect you with someone who can.
Good luck and thanks for sharing your brother's story.
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Yes, DJ, the lack of oversight is a BIG deal...the 'Accreditation" doesn't mean a thing, if the place were operating as a simple boarding school, fine, it would be ok, but it's trying to be a backdoor BM center, at least that's what my own research suggests.
The recent actions by the owner have me very concerned, as this is the first I had heard of this. Sounds like "Lord of the Flies" as my brother describes it. Ironic thing is? They showed this movie to his peer group as a "cautionary tale on the failure of leadership." Sounds like somebody was trying to give some of the kids ideas. Jesus, Russian Army conscripts get better treatment. (I am an amateur military historian, so pardon the analogies).
As for a release, well, sadly, his mom (my stepmother) has custody. She's typical. Overwhelmed parent at the end of her rope with a messy divorce (not made any easier by my father who is frankly, a sex addict)and a very angry kid. My Father done most of the damage to my brother...poor kid doesn't know who to believe any more. I can't think being sent to HLA has improved matters.
Funny thing is, my father alos hates the place. But I think in his case, it's more motivated by money. He's not written or called my brother in six months, and he cancelled his last visit with him as well. (Father is marrying for the third time and like the last time with me, tossing the ex-wife and kids away like rubbish). I had some doubts...but I didn't say anything...as I kinda felt "What if I am wrong", but as my brother would tell me things on phone calls during his breaks (He's quite vocal, thank god, and I tell him to keep his head down and make like a hole in the water.) I gave him other advice as well, but I'd rather not mention it..for his sake.
I will say he is in his early teens. Again, no specifics on an open board. These walls have ears and I do not intend to help them hurt my brother.
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Well, unfortunately, it looks like your brother is experiencing the typical "program" at HLA.
if the place were operating as a simple boarding school, fine, it would be ok, but it's trying to be a backdoor BM center
Yeah, you got that right. What HLA amounts to is an unlicensed, unregulated RTC masquerading as a "school."
Have you tried a "common-sense" approach with your mom about your brother's treatment? Maybe point out there isn't a single licensed teacher or a single licensed counselor working there? For the price she's paying, she could have a full-time private teacher and therapist working with him at home.
Perhaps you could try an educational approach? There are plenty of studies that show programs like HLA do not work and can cause severe damage, especially to the developing mind.
Of course, if mom doesn't care (like many "program parents") then your labor would be fruitless.
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Well, its time to join the fight...and so I have. I chose the name because these kids need an Avenging Angel. And I love a good fight...Just so you know, the previous anon posts in this thread are mine.[ This Message was edited by: AvenAngel on 2006-06-01 18:28 ]
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The school's not too big. Hopefully you have fictionalized part of your bother's story because with all the group therapy that goes on around that place, and the initial paperwork for admission being somewhat thourough regarding family dysfunction, they will know exactly who your brother is. I would not post too much more about him here. Posting nothing is best for him.
:evil:
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Any updates/new information?
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Stir, stir, stir. DJ, of all people you should only PM this person. Don't get the kid in trouble. I'm beginning to see your agenda clouding your sensiblilities.
AvenAngel has a login- contact her by PM to spare the kid if indeed HLA is the gulag you make it out to be.
:evil:
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On 2006-06-05 08:44:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Stir, stir, stir. DJ, of all people you should only PM this person. Don't get the kid in trouble. I'm beginning to see your agenda clouding your sensiblilities.
AvenAngel has a login- contact her by PM to spare the kid if indeed HLA is the gulag you make it out to be."
Why didn't you PM me then? Oh yeah, you're an ANONYMOUS shit stirrer. :roll:
Nobody asked for any personal information about the kid either, just an update on the situation.
Nice way to set up a strawman though. Get a backbone and a login.
_________________
"Compassion is the basis of morality."
-Arnold Schopenhauer[ This Message was edited by: Dysfunction Junction on 2006-06-05 10:31 ]
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Oh please DJ- can't you just admit that maybe you made a mistake. You complain vehemently when parents post personal stuff about their kids on ST. I'm on your side- at least I think I am. I'm being realistic (trying to protect the boy)and you have an agenda. You can stick your "ad hominems", "strawmen", and your holier than thou attitude up your arrogant agenda-ed butt. If you care about the kid you'll PM his sister. You're an ass.
:evil:
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"Oh please DJ- can't you just admit that maybe you made a mistake. You complain vehemently when parents post personal stuff about their kids on ST. I'm on your side- at least I think I am. I'm being realistic (trying to protect the boy)and you have an agenda. You can stick your "ad hominems", "strawmen", and your holier than thou attitude up your arrogant agenda-ed butt. If you care about the kid you'll PM his sister. You're an ass."
I second that...
209
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On 2006-06-05 10:26:00, Dysfunction Junction wrote:
Why didn't you PM me then?
Because I don't care what you have to say. I wasn't asking the questions.
Walk the walk DJ- It's not all about you.
:evil:
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You complain vehemently when parents post personal stuff about their kids on ST.
I have never done this. Post the link.
Why would I admit I made a mistake because I asked for progress report? That makes no sense whatsoever.
Some of you people really need to find a hobby.
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Deb, can you please fix asshat's quote tags? I'd ask asshat to do it, but s/he's too spineless to log in so now the post can't be edited. Thanks.
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You are without a doubt the whiniest little jerk I've come across-
ADMIT IT--- It's not good for the kid's personal stuff to be on here since you have said over and over that HLA staff troll this thread. You are the one not making sense. You are so worried that someone will disagree with you that it is clouding your judgement.
This is not "OUR" fight DJ- Maybe HLA isn't such a bad place if you are asking this girl to trust the staff trolls with her bother's complaints. There is no right or wrong here. Protect the identity of the kid you arrogant little piss ant.
:evil:
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Let's have all the dirt -- I want names.
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Read for comprehension:
I never asked for any personal details about the child, only for an update about what the ADULT has found in researching the facility and possible remedies for the kid's incarceration.
Why are you mad at me because you can't/won't read? Why would you make up a context under which to name-call?
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I was obviously the original poster that told her to be cautious. With good reason, she got spooked and quit telling her life story and that of her brother's. You, because you have a live one on the hook, are baiting her for more and more info to prove what all of us either already know first-hand (or at least suspect) that the kid will undoubtedly be punished for whining to his sister. The kid is at HLA and something tells me that the step-daughter/half-sister won't have the opportunity to spring him. So, let's try to minimize his suffering by being a bit more discreet. That is all I am asking for.
I hate to agree with you because I certainly don't like you. Again, this isn't our fight.
:evil:
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Since the posting was under Deborah's name (after she moved it) I forgot that this was the half-brother/step-son of the family involved. In any case, it's my gut feeling that he has ZERO control over the situation and hopefully has understood my opinion that he should not discuss his brother's life on an open forum.
:evil:
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On 2006-06-05 13:27:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Since the posting was under Deborah's name (after she moved it) I forgot that this was the half-brother/step-son of the family involved. In any case, it's my gut feeling that he has ZERO control over the situation and hopefully has understood my opinion that he should not discuss his brother's life on an open forum."
And I agree with this. If you're the same poster who was name-calling and making a huge deal of it before, then I'm glad you're being more rational about it.
Your premise is good: don't cause collateral damage. However, you made a big stink over nothing and made statements about me/my previous posts that were just simply untrue - a little proofreading before popping off would have shown this - and that just doesn't help anyone.
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Nope, but this is not unsual. In any case, please, let's not turn this into a flame war? Ok? I wanted advice, and support, as my brother needs help. I got it and I am now using fornits to line up some arguments to use with his mother.
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DJ-
No need to be patronizing- your name calling and popping off is equal to none. Let's just try and protect the anonymity of the boy.
:evil:
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Lets try and focus on the issue that matters namely what truths about HLA this guy can bring to his step mother regarding his half brothers incarceration.
Angel, without getting to specific about how long has your brother been there?
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Less than a year, but longer than six months.