Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Straight, Inc. and Derivatives => Topic started by: Maddie May on June 24, 2002, 09:42:00 AM
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I was in Growning Together around 1993 -94. I keep posting to see if anyone else was in there. I guess I will just keep trying.
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Hi Maddy,
The only other person we've heard from from GT was a guy named Pablo who posted as blopa. He was a parent and a 4 square supporter. (use the "search WWF" link to the left to find those posts)
Please do keep posting. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to go down the list of forums and drop a note in each.
Basically, we know about past lawsuits and criminal cases. We know from that one parent that the same rhetoric, lingo and mindgames are present in this manifestation. We know how they handle a call from a parent or uncle concerned about a young person (cause we've done that). We know about their origins from LIFE in Osprey and their connections with the piss nazis and community coalitions. And we know of their relationships with law enforcement and juvenile judiciary.
From that, we can be pretty certain in our own hearts that the same thing is going on in that little storefront as the others of which we have more recent witnesses and documentation. But we can't state any of that as fact unless and until we have some solid proof. Sooner or later, people will come along looking for info. They'll search on proper names, the name of the program and so forth.
So the more you feel comfortable with posting the better for us to get the break we need to do something about that little gulag. Also, if you have old host homes lists or other sources for contact info, look them over and see if there's anyone you might want to ring up and see how life has treated them.
Thanks,
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Maddy,
Hi my name is Carrie, I live in West Palm Beach and any information you could give me as far as this program in Lake Worth I would really aprreciate. I am wondering when you were in? Were you ever on staff? Do they do ANY drug testing? What are the beginners or first phasers referred to? Are they medicating the kids today? Do you know anyone else who may want to share any info? Whatever you feel comfortable with talking about is appreciated.........Carrie
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First Phasers were called newcomers. I remember people getting meds but when I had my wisdom teeth out on second phase they would not give me anything other than aspirin for pain. They did not ever drug test me, they just kept saying that I was full o shit until my drug list became a mile long and I had to confess it in open meeting. I keep reading all the posts from everyone in straight and all of the other propgrams and it is amazing to see that we were the exact same thing. We motivated, spent all hours in "the building" with no sunlight and were beltlooped. Everything seems to be the same. I recently came across an old COA phone list but I have been to chicken to call anyone. I am trying to work up my nerve. I was in for 11 1/2 months from 1993-1994 and I was pulled on fifth phase a few days before Christmas.
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Hi, I was in a program in NJ. It was called Kid's of North Jersey. It must have been the same people. We had to do the same thing like motivate. We did exactly what you said happened. They watched our every move. They wouldn't adminster medicine at that time. People went pshychotic in there. They would tell us it was the only program around and the head said we could stay there in our blue ploastic seats till we are like 50 for all here cares. It sucked but it is so nice to have moved on from that hell.
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Hello ! I was in straight from 90 - 92 , atlanta. I also worked at Growing Together off and on for five years. I would like to be totally fair, and say that it was as bad as straight in many regards up until perhaps four years ago. I can't credit Mickey Bowman, the CEO up until months ago, who was fired, or let go, or resigned, whatever they want to call it because of her tendency to order prescription drugs over the internet ( from mexico, personal use )Mickey Bowman was the last real solid link to straight in that place, her still using son worked there, and her babysitter also worked there during her tenure, she was not suited for her position, and hurt many people. I would like to take a sceond and say that in the last few years growing together has actually become a really good treatment center, as an ex straight client, I can say this with no guilt. I spent time in rooms with male staff in straight, getting poked and fucked with until i "went off", got restrained, spit on, all the fun stuff, and I can say that GT offers something wholly different thatn i received in straight, just something to keep in mind, as we go. I know its hard to believe but there are staff working there now, who spent years trying to get GT away from the straight mentality, and overall it has worked, the sexual misadventures , the naked crusader episode, was something I personally testified in court over, and as a staff member treated wholly different than any of my straight staff would have, its the truth, the truth is that it is not straight , it has avolved , not like kids, or phoenix evolved, it is no longer a shadow of what you and i would think of it as, kids who get out havent been spit on by staff, havent had underwear therapy, the problems they have look similar to any helfway house or treatment center problem, and wit hmickey bowman gone there is no reason to believe that all GT will do is continue to evolve, anyone who suffered there deserves resolution, and I hope you find it, but responsible, compassionate people, have worked hard to create a healthy treatment center, i dont know, i know it sounds too good to be true, but i am just being honest, as honest as i am when i talk about what i endured in straight, not everything that came from straight is bad, and not all of wes' facts are right on either, look for yourself
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Hi Maddie,
I am interested in your experince at GT. Please email me at http://www.thestraights.com (http://www.thestraights.com)
Wes Fager
http://www.thestraights.com (http://www.thestraights.com)
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Wish I hadn't missed this one when it was fresh.
I have a few questions.
Are new clients still
held incommunicado? If so, for how long?
Are new clients permitted to read their choice of material, watch a reasonable amount of TV, listen to the radio?
Does GT still strip search on intake?
Is there any kind of diagnostic work done pre intake aside from the (bogus, tired) "Drug warning signs" just like Art used to use?
Do you have to lie to clients to get them to go to intake?
Are clients locked in at night at the host home?
Do you still beltloop?
Do you still make girls wear stupid looking hairstyles, no makeup, etc?
Do they still "motivate"?
Are clients allowed to speak and socialize with friends who have left the program?
If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the
government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees.
--President Bill Clinton
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I would like to beleive it is not the same way but how could it change so drastically. I am glad to hear that Mickey is not there anymore though. When I ran the second time and I convinced my parents to take me out, they made me go to private counseling at her house. What a joke. Anyway, the first time I ran, I went home after a while and I got out of the shower in time for foster dads to sit on me and restrain me while I was naked in my parents house while my brother watched. They are still having incidents and nothing can change the fact that at night when your locked in the room, noone knows what is going on.
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Maddie May,
I was with you then. I hope you will email me.
Ms.P
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I have a friend whose son is in GT and the rules and restrictions on HER lifestyle drive me crazy. Every night she has kids which she has to feed, etc. She can't have calls from outsiders..like me and she is not supposed to be in a romantic relationship while her son is there. To me it almost sounds like a cult. At first I was supportive but now I wonder..can anyone advice?
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Knock some sense into her! I was in GT 10 years ago. Now I am a well adjusted adult with a husband and child.... yet here I am visiting this web site to try to (finally) deal with what occured at that place. It is a cult, it is not in her son's best interest, and in the case of *every* fellow prisoner I came in contact with after "the program"-- they all were MUCH worse off after being (ahem) "treated" at GT. Myself included.
The parents are just as brainwashed as the kids. My mom (now, 10 years later) admits she was bullied by staff and I know the only reason I wasn't pulled out sooner was because (if I remember correctly) GT was $20,000 and was completely forfeited after a couple of weeks. "Use it or lose it."
I don't want to scare you off with a rampage-- but please feel free to email me with any specific questions or if you would like to hear more about my experience. Growing Together should be shut down. I would appreciate the oppurtunity to help you save this family.
Ms.P
[ This Message was edited by: Ms.P on 2003-02-24 21:54 ]
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i WAS IN THERE AROUND THE SAME TIME, IN LAKE WORTH FL. I CAN PROVE IT TO. BELTLOOPING. NO HAIRDRYERS UNTIL 2ND PHASE. BASEMENT WHEN THE BUILDING MOVED.
ANYHOW, EMAIL ME.
DRESDEN2713@YAHOO.COM
MAKE SURE TO EMAIL. I HARDLY EVER CHECK BOARDS
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P.S.-
Yes, it IS a cult, and NO, id did not help me with much, except make me realize that i can get through anything, if i can get thru that. the people were brainwashing and relentless and cruel, when i went back in the early 90's, we could not read at all, even ridiculous stuff like cereal boxex! no music, no tv, no outside world. no clothes with pics or writing. even girls wh0o had never done drugs, but had other probs like anorexia were there, all it did was screw them up more. Read up on brainwashing (controlling outside influences, diet, and schedules) and you will realize that they are nothing but a glorified cult. i was in there 2 years from 14-16, in the early 90's. see post above. i hope someone reads this and replies, i could use feedback...
thanks-
dresden2713@yahoo.com
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please send any and all information
on gt to pblass2002@yahoo.com
I am trying to help the kids
thanks
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I am taking gt to court
need all information
pblass2002@yahoo.com
thanks
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I am taking gt to court
please send any and all information
pblass2002@yahoo.com
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need information about gt for legal reasons
pblass2002@yahoo.com
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This is True I work with this Guy if this is who I think it is.. Wrote by brandon sokol
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I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST INTAKES IN GT IN 87.
IM HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE ALIVE.
I AM A FORMER 7 STEPPER X-STAFFMEMBER,
AND WANT TO SEE THE GUILTY BROUGHT TO TRAIL,
AS I WAS QUOTED IN THE GT ARTICLE. ::armed::
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Sokol as in Straight, Sarasota Sokol?
"The FARC is part of the history of Colombia and a historical phenomenon", (President Pastrana) says, "and they must be treated as Colombians". ... They come and ask for bread [aid from Washington], and you give them stones.
Robert White is a former American ambassador to Paraguay and El Salvador, and former No. 2 man with the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, is president of the Centre for International Policy in Washington D.C.
Robert White
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I was refering to a different posting on my last post "this is true I work with this guy"
...Taking GT to court, You guys are fucked up, to the gentleman above I would strongly reconsider it. Why did you have a hard time following rules? Ok so its tough, I spent 15 months in there and Im not bitching..Did you, What did your son spend 5 months??? Ohhh musta been hard, add 10 to that...PS I am pretty sure I met your son at a meeting I chaired last night, HHMMM obviously it works cause he was in a meeting...LEt it go...Spend your money and effort that your putting into this on your son!
Feel free to email me cause I 'll tell you what I think! I had no place to go but to GT , Youd be suprised to know my story and where im at now.What about the kids that really need it? PS do you believe everything you here!!!Cause I got the mona lisa for sale too, wanna buy it!!
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On 2004-12-30 16:36:00, Bnasty wrote:
Taking GT to court, You guys are fucked up, to the gentleman above I would strongly reconsider it. Why did you have a hard time following rules?
Maybe the "rules" required that he endure and cover up rape w/o complaint? I had no problem getting through the Program either, till the "rules" required that I pretend it was good and right to drive a 15yo boy out of his fucking mind.
But just so long as your sorry ass was saved, then it's ok, right? Where the fuck is your 7th step, son!
If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for a reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.
--Albert Einstein, German-born American physicist
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On 2004-12-30 17:12:00, Antigen wrote:
Where the fuck is your 7th step, son!
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
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On 2003-02-24 14:17:00, Anonymous wrote:
"I have a friend whose son is in GT and the rules and restrictions on HER lifestyle drive me crazy. Every night she has kids which she has to feed, etc. She can't have calls from outsiders..like me and she is not supposed to be in a romantic relationship while her son is there. To me it almost sounds like a cult. At first I was supportive but now I wonder..can anyone advice?"
Seriously, though. I'm pretty sure GT is not only like a cult, it is a cult. And it's one that, for the most part, has the full blessing and support of many pillars of the community. Not all, just many.
So read up on cults and how families and friends have dealt w/ their loved ones' involvement. It's also very similar to abusive, overly controling romantic relationships. You can get some good insights there, too.
Rule #1 is to never get manipulated into being adversarial. Don't argue logic or evidence w/ your friend. Just be there for her when she wants you to be and avoid discussing the group unless she brings it up and then drop it the minute she's uncomfortable w/ the topic. When you're in the midst of this sort of thing, you don't really quit thinking entirely even though you're forbidden to say what you think sometimes.
The first human who hurled an insult instead of a stone was the founder of civilization.
--Sigmund Freud
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I'm on my way...
w/ my program
I'm on my way...
w/ my program
What a joke. How can you take that place serious? I was in there for 15 months in Lake Worth, upstairs, not the basement. You people need a hobby. F'n cry babies. It sucked, we got out, get over it. If you want you can come over to my place and have a beer. Maybe your 'addictive' personality will give us a long lasting relationship. I'll be your dealer!!!!
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On 2005-01-08 12:47:00, Anonymous wrote:
"I'm on my way...
w/ my program
I'm on my way...
w/ my program
What a joke. How can you take that place serious? I was in there for 15 months in Lake Worth, upstairs, not the basement. You people need a hobby. F'n cry babies. It sucked, we got out, get over it. If you want you can come over to my place and have a beer. Maybe your 'addictive' personality will give us a long lasting relationship. I'll be your dealer!!!!"
Just what is it that makes you (and some others) think that everyone who posts and disagrees has no other hobbies? What exactly is that?
Do you send email to your friends and family? Maybe chat on an instant messenger program with a school buddy who's now living on the opposite coast? Does this consume you? Is that your hobby?
::cheers::
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I WAS ORGINAL STAFF AT GT 1987 AND LEFT 1990 AS STAFF CORD.
Hello ! I was in straight from 90 - 92 , atlanta. I also worked at Growing Together off and on for five years. I would like to be totally fair, and say that it was as bad as straight in many regards up until perhaps four years ago. I can't credit Mickey Bowman, the CEO up until months ago, who was fired, or let go, or resigned, whatever they want to call it because of her tendency to order prescription drugs over the internet ( from mexico, personal use )Mickey Bowman was the last real solid link to straight in that place, her still using son worked there, and her babysitter also worked there during her tenure, she was not suited for her position, and hurt many people. I would like to take a sceond and say that in the last few years growing together has actually become a really good treatment center, as an ex straight client, I can say this with no guilt. I spent time in rooms with male staff in straight, getting poked and fucked with until i "went off", got restrained, spit on, all the fun stuff, and I can say that GT offers something wholly different thatn i received in straight, just something to keep in mind, as we go. I know its hard to believe but there are staff working there now, who spent years trying to get GT away from the straight mentality, and overall it has worked, the sexual misadventures , the naked crusader episode, was something I personally testified in court over, and as a staff member treated wholly different than any of my straight staff would have, its the truth, the truth is that it is not straight , it has avolved , not like kids, or phoenix evolved, it is no longer a shadow of what you and i would think of it as, kids who get out havent been spit on by staff, havent had underwear therapy, the problems they have look similar to any helfway house or treatment center problem, and wit hmickey bowman gone there is no reason to believe that all GT will do is continue to evolve, anyone who suffered there deserves resolution, and I hope you find it, but responsible, compassionate people, have worked hard to create a healthy treatment center, i dont know, i know it sounds too good to be true, but i am just being honest, as honest as i am when i talk about what i endured in straight, not everything that came from straight is bad, and not all of wes' facts are right on either, look for yourself
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I WAS THERE FROM OPEN 1987 TO 1990
Hi Maddie,
I am interested in your experince at GT. Please email me at http://www.thestraights.com (http://www.thestraights.com)
Wes Fager
http://www.thestraights.com (http://www.thestraights.com)
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I WAS ORGINAL STAFF FROM 1987 TO1990 IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT WGHEN I WAS THERE AND BARBAR GRIFFITH RAN IT
Knock some sense into her! I was in GT 10 years ago. Now I am a well adjusted adult with a husband and child.... yet here I am visiting this web site to try to (finally) deal with what occured at that place. It is a cult, it is not in her son's best interest, and in the case of *every* fellow prisoner I came in contact with after "the program"-- they all were MUCH worse off after being (ahem) "treated" at GT. Myself included.
The parents are just as brainwashed as the kids. My mom (now, 10 years later) admits she was bullied by staff and I know the only reason I wasn't pulled out sooner was because (if I remember correctly) GT was $20,000 and was completely forfeited after a couple of weeks. "Use it or lose it."
I don't want to scare you off with a rampage-- but please feel free to email me with any specific questions or if you would like to hear more about my experience. Growing Together should be shut down. I would appreciate the oppurtunity to help you save this family.
Ms.P
[ This Message was edited by: Ms.P on 2003-02-24 21:54 ]