Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Troubled Teen Industry => Topic started by: Anonymous on April 10, 2005, 12:01:00 PM
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FYI - A PARENTS RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN MA NOT ISSAC HELPED TO PUT AN END TO DESISTO - ISSAC HAS JUMPED ON THE COAT TAILS AND IS TRYING TO TAKE CREDIT, IT SHOWS NO WHERE ON ANY OF THE STATE AGENCY DOCUMENTS ISSAC NAME ONLY THE MA PARENT'S RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THIS TRUTH ALSO NEEDED TO BE TOLD.
DeSisto School sale hits obstacle
By Derek Gentile
Berkshire Eagle Staff
Thursday, March 31, 2005 - STOCKBRIDGE -- A federal judge in Bridgeport, Conn., has attached a $500,000 lien on the former DeSisto School property, creating another potential roadblock for the sale of the Route 183 complex.
The lien is in connection with a lawsuit filed last October by a former student at DeSisto and her mother, who are accusing the former school for troubled students of improper supervision.
The former student is identified in the lawsuit as "D.M.," while the mother is identified as "A.B." Both are residents of New Haven, Conn.
According to the lawsuit, on the night of Jan. 22, 2004, D.M. reportedly slashed her arms with razor blades and then ingested two blades. The student was eventually transferred to the Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center on Jan. 23, where she remained until the razor blades passed through her system.
Treated 41 times
The complaint alleges that the student had been treated at both Fairview and Berkshire Medical Center a total of 41 times since her admission to DeSisto in February 2002, and received improper care from DeSisto staffers.
A real estate lien is not uncommon in such a case, as the plaintiff usually seeks some degree of financial relief. According to Eagle files, this is not the first time the Route 183 property has been encumbered by such a lien. During the 25 years it was open, the school was the target of more than 30 lawsuits from disgruntled parents alleging abuse and seeking redress.
This latest development, though, may create another barrier for the school campus' potential sale to the Grove School of Madison, Conn., another therapeutic residential facility.
The Grove School won a special permit last September to reopen as a therapeutic school. But the purchase of the campus is on hold pending an extensive environmental review of the school grounds.
Potential contamination
In particular, state and local officials are concerned that oil migration from a main tank located behind the main mansion has been far more extensive than previously believed. Such migration could mean potential ground water contamination.
"At this point, we're still evaluating the risk of closing [the sale] before the environmental assessment is completed," said attorney Philip F. Heller of Lenox, who is representing the Grove School. "That's our focus."
Heller said he was unaware of the recently imposed $500,000 lien in federal court.
"I have not been made aware of [the lien]," said Heller. "But the plot thickens."
DeSisto's attorney, John Gobel of Pittsfield, could not be reached for comment about the situation.
The estimated sale price for the property is $5 million.
Stockbridge Selectmen Chairman J. Cristopher Irsfeld said yesterday that members of his board are still hopeful that the sale can be completed.
"It's the best fit for the property," he said.
The DeSisto School closed in June 2004. The closing followed an extended struggle with the state Office of Child Care Services over conditions at the school and controversies over students' self-inflicted injuries.
DeSisto officials said they had to close the school because of a dip in enrollment caused by the state's decision to freeze admissions to the school.
Students who came to DeSisto in recent years paid between $66,000 and $78,000 in tuition. They were described as bright, emotionally troubled teenagers, many of whom took drugs, had eating disorders and acted out inner troubles.
Less than a year after closing their campus on Route 183, officials associated with the former DeSisto School established a new therapeutic academy for troubled children in Sarasota, Fla.
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Yes they often take credit for things they do not do, they also reap on parents and children's misfortunes and abuses to try to further themselves, but everyone has a place just be careful before you put your story out there, ISAC has been known to liable folks to lawsuits. :wave:
And the truth shall set you free!
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I also know that the property is contaminated and the EPA is requiring a bunch of action that also was holding up the sale. I wonder hmmm since I was there and am in the know if they dig deep enough how many dead babies they will find? :nworthy: I was there I know the deal, MD has a lot of offspring and his wife is so stupid she sat in the next room while he was molesting the students and did nothing like it was a way of life.
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Ugh I believe you I had heard rumours about this very same thing, where were the parents they ought to be blamed as well.
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Will all the legacy of abuse at this horrific place ever dwindle? :question: :question: :question: :flame:
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***A PARENTS RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN MA NOT ISSAC HELPED TO PUT AN END TO DESISTO - ISSAC HAS JUMPED ON THE COAT TAILS AND IS TRYING TO TAKE CREDIT
Well, I just searched the ISAC site and found nothing to substantiate that accusation. If you have a link, please post it.
Pat yourself on the back. You deserve to be appreciated Andrea, but not at the expense of other activists. The 'shotgun' approach is most useful in bringing down/reforming the industry. What is NOT useful is whining about petty jealousies and back biting.
All of us do our part, in the areas that are important to us, and that's what it's going to take to bring change. ISAC is doing good work. Can you praise yourself without criticising others?
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Who is Andrea? I am a parent from Massachusetts who lives near where the Old Desisto was....
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Oh, which Parent Organization are you refering to that 'put an end' to Desisto?
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Hello,
I was called and told folks were speaking of me on this board, something about Desisto I had to go through several threads and posts and found it. I do not post on this board as a rule, and am doing so anonymously as I forgot my username, but I am Andrea. Let me make this clear and I mean it, I do not have time for this junk of name calling and I personally have a great relationship with Shelby and ISAC and appreciate the hard work they do so any mis information posted on this board is just that mis information. I will not accept slandering of my good name and work nor Shelby's so please whoever is doing this stop now.
The truth about the former and I state former very proudly Desisto school is that I did indeed write a letter to the state of MA as they were unlicensed, after a long court battle they were ordered to license, after several months they could not or would not (that is still to be determined) meet the standards the state set forth, so instead of owning their responsibilities for their neglect that caused harm to many, they packed up and moved the kids to Mexico. It is my understanding they are running a facility in Florida but I don't have a lot of information on this, I did get a call from a concerned parent after she found out they had (I am surprised) lied to her.
Please stop bringing my name into your fights or games on this board, and again, I respect Shelby and the work of ISAC as she does my work at PFRR as well.
Now if you will excuse me I have to continue my hard work in making a difference in the lives of others.
Andrea
PS Shelby hope all is well with you!
`a
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On 2005-04-11 20:37:00, Deborah wrote:
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Oh, which Parent Organization are you refering to that 'put an end' to Desisto?"
From Andrea it was the Office for Child Care Services in collaboration with the Attorney General's Office, the help of the Media, a few Angry Parents, and PFRR helped a bit, but it was not a one parent organization that did this, actually what put an end to Desisto is Desisto itself, it kept on going till it sank itself.
Andrea
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Anon, who first made the statement.... I'm still waiting from a response from YOU.
Which Parent Organization are you refering to that 'put an end' to Desisto?
Post URL: http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... um=9#94511 (http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?topic=9109&forum=9#94511)
FYI - A PARENTS RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN MA NOT ISSAC HELPED TO PUT AN END TO DESISTO - ISSAC HAS JUMPED ON THE COAT TAILS AND IS TRYING TO TAKE CREDIT, IT SHOWS NO WHERE ON ANY OF THE STATE AGENCY DOCUMENTS ISSAC NAME ONLY THE MA PARENT'S RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THIS TRUTH ALSO NEEDED TO BE TOLD.
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Deborah,
This is Andrea from PFRR - I am still so miffed and frankly quite angry at you - how or why would you even think (especially not knowing me) that I would post or say anything bad about Shelby? The thought even is pathetic! I did along with my colleagues and peers have a whole lot to do with the closing of Desisto and will with any other program that is unlicensed and abusive in MA and hopefully helpful to those who are trying to do so elsewhere as well. But your accusation and post geared towards me is and was uncalled for. I don't pat myself on the back not at all I work hard you have no idea what my daughter went through while in a residential school here in MA and the hell of an effect it put on her and our family. I am legit lady totally legit - find someone else to accuse or pick on please. I also am not sure what my user name is or password (it was a long time since I had last posted) so I am under annon now but always use my name. I would appreciate your not dragging me into this childish accusing and back stabbing. No need to defend Shelby and the work they do with me that is for sure! Your preaching to the choir here!
Andrea
pfrr
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The original post in this thread, definitely appeared to be from you or someone else at PFRR:
FYI - A PARENTS RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN MA NOT ISSAC HELPED TO PUT AN END TO DESISTO - ISSAC HAS JUMPED ON THE COAT TAILS AND IS TRYING TO TAKE CREDIT, IT SHOWS NO WHERE ON ANY OF THE STATE AGENCY DOCUMENTS ISSAC NAME ONLY THE MA PARENT'S RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THIS TRUTH ALSO NEEDED TO BE TOLD.
Good to know it wasn't. My bad. Thanks for the clarification.
Still curious as to who made that comment. Anyone like to claim it and explain?
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I know I didn't make the comment, I wouldn't make a comment like that - it takes a village! I do know their is a few really angry parents out there whose kids were in the Desisto program and are in their new Florida program now they have reached out to us, but if the kids are in FLA and are not from MA we can't help them much except to send them to Shelby and folks in their home states.
Could be a former student or a parent who is mad who knows...I KNOW IT ISN'T ME!
Take care,
Andrea
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Heard someone say the other day, "It takes a Child to Raise a Village".
Certainly not to take away from the original intent. Every child should have a large group of caring adults who have a vested interest in their well being.
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If you'll excuse the pun The DeSisto school died of a thousand cuts. Once AMD died the chicken couldn't survive without its head. I'm glad I got out of there in '83 a graduate :nworthy:
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I attended DeSisto for two years in the mid- 1990's. I am now married to a wonderful woman, have two fantastic children, and am a millionaire. I know beyond any shaddow of a doubt that if it wasn't for my experience there I would be dead.
In going through the program there were many times when I thought they were too hard on me or actually, in my mind, seemed to enjoy playing mental games. It was only when they finally pushed me through to the other side did I really understand and appreciate their true care, compassion, and the insightful process they were using.
I've been so busy living my life I didn't even know the school closed last year. It feels like I just lost a parent. What is most sad though is people who don't understand what was actually happening there essentially throwing the baby out with the bath water and not even really understanding if the bath water was actually dirty. Let's face it, I and the people I was with there weren't there because our parents, traditional programs, and state agencies had been successful in helping us. We were there because standard programs and conventional wisdom hadn't worked.
I was thinking about writing something about the razor blade incident, but those who point to that as proof of something would appear to not have had the experiences necessary to understand the alternative perspective. As a result, it seems rather pointless to discuss it. I think the parent and the child who both don't appear to hold it against the school get it, and that is probably all that matters at this point. The same goes for the discussion around what type of school it was.
Importantly, I turned my life around because of what they pushed me to do and I achieved the success I have achieved since then because of a simple, but extremely powerful, gift they gave me. That gift was the realization (not just mentally which is easy to have, but emotionally, which is much harder) that I am responsible for both my actions and the actions of those around me. It is deceptively simple a concept and sorely lacking in large parts of our society. Unfortunately, for me to really understand it, and to believe it, they had to give me the opportunity to test the concept, push the limits, and experience the results. I wish more people really understood the significance of that. This world would be a much better place.
I wish you all the best.
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Logical contradiction time.
John is surrounded by Suzie, Martha, and Betty.
If John is responsible for his actions AND those of Suzie, Martha, and Betty, whose actions are Suzie, Martha and Betty responsible for?
And if you say "theirs AND John's" then you have, in effect, made *everyone* responsible for themselves and everyone else, so that everyone is responsible for everything.
Which, in the end, is the same as saying nobody is responsible for anything.
It's called having no boundaries, iirc.
I'm glad you have a good life, but your premise is logically inconsistent.
Timolclea
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Timolclea,
If you truly can not comprehend how or even why it is both possible and valuable to take responsibility for yourself and others then I am truly sorry for you.
At the same point in time, if you re-look at your logic you will find that your conclusion is only one of several possible outcomes and actually not the most likely one. Like most things in this world, it is a question of possibility and probability. Not definite extremes. A simple question: if someone likes you, as an example, are you actually less likely to like yourself? Of course not.
No need to respond.
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On 2005-05-05 02:13:00, Anonymous wrote:
" That gift was the realization (not just mentally which is easy to have, but emotionally, which is much harder) that I am responsible for both my actions and the actions of those around me."
Can you explain this in more detail please, I am just curious what you mean exactly. How can you personally be responsible for other people's actions?
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On 2005-05-05 08:43:00, Anonymous wrote:
"
On 2005-05-05 02:13:00, Anonymous wrote:
" That gift was the realization (not just mentally which is easy to have, but emotionally, which is much harder) that I am responsible for both my actions and the actions of those around me."
Can you explain this in more detail please, I am just curious what you mean exactly. How can you personally be responsible for other people's actions?"
Sure thing. Obviously there is the extreme where you can't be fully responsibile for other people's actions but there is an extemely wide range of possibilities where we can and should.
Starting with an example from DeSisto, if someone ran away from our quad we would all be held responsibile. Why? Because we were a group. We were expected to be in tune with each other, care for each other, and protect each other. It was extremely rare that someone would run away without there being any signs ahead a time. The trick was were you really looking at how someone in your quad was doing? Did you personally try to understand what they were going through, try to help them in some way, or try to get them help? As a group there should have been enough eyes and relationships to help them. Therefore, their running away was a failure for the group. Importantly, new students running away was treated differently of course.
A key benefit was you learned to pay attention to, help, and watchout for people you potentially never would have paid attention to "outside." In doing so you learned to better understand and respect all people, regardless of traditional stereotypes, etc.. That inclination has served me very well since then and I wish more people had the opportunity or push to instill this in themselves.
It comes down to a fundamental belief that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and we should care about something other than just ourselves coupled with the reality that in doing so we actually model what we need them to believe and therefore, rather than diminishing a sense of personal reponsibility, we enhance it. Sort of in a "pay it forward kind of way."
Hopefully this helps.
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On 2005-05-05 09:10:00, Anonymous wrote:
"if someone ran away from our quad we would all be held responsibile. Why? Because we were a group. We were expected to be in tune with each other, care for each other, and protect each other. It was extremely rare that someone would run away without there being any signs ahead a time. The trick was were you really looking at how someone in your quad was doing? Did you personally try to understand what they were going through, try to help them in some way, or try to get them help? As a group there should have been enough eyes and relationships to help them. Therefore, their running away was a failure for the group."
It seems you were protecting the interests of the facility, not the individual child. Even if you believed the situation to be helpful, it might not be to everyone there. At SCL we had the upper level students assigned to watch lower level families. They essentially became staff. They had to discipline the lower levels, and report to the family father with information. Since everyone would eventually become a junior staff, some of the lower level kids were so anxious to please their masters, they would tell the staff information their 'friends' told them. Even worse, they would make something up.
In these prison-like situations, one does whatever is necessary to leave. It seems like one might be doing it for the group, in reality however, they are simply acting the way the program and staff would like them to. Either out of fear of being punished themselves, or simply to get home faster. They become psuedo staff members, and it's a way to test them to see if they are being 'real.'
In my opinion this social structure is horribly flawed.
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Hi my name is Brandon I went to desisto for 5 months in 2001. It was a terrible experience and it has scarred me. I was happy to see other people talking about desisto. I dont know how it was when either of you attended but when I was there it was constant cornering. I spent 6 straight weeks in the corner at one point, without ever going outside for those 6 weeks. I would like to talk to you more about the desisto experience if you want.
thanks
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"I attended DeSisto for two years in the mid- 1990's. I am now married to a wonderful woman, have two fantastic children, and am a millionaire. I know beyond any shaddow of a doubt that if it wasn't for my experience there I would be dead"
When I hear people say the school saved their lives, I have to wonder if they ever had lives in the first place. I'm glad you've made your mint, but you'll go to your grave knowing you bought the DeSisto program, hook, line, and sinker. You rolled over on your peers with alacrity, you moved up a level--maybe got some privileges--such a good prisoner. The DeSisto program was never about responsibility; the type of responsibilty taught there was the same as a North Korean prisoner of war camp, where American soldiers were grouped into tens and collectively punished if an individual fucked up. That's not real life not now, and only exists in fubar spaces like DeSisto. The DeSisto program was about fear, degradation, and humiliation. BTW I went to the school in the late 70's and early 80's and back then you had to cut it there be more than just rich and stupid.
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the other forum]
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?So ... &start=190 (http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?Sort=&mode=viewtopic&topic=4096&forum=9&start=190)
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I find that the former TDS students that are so enamoured with the school decades later received special attention from AMD himself. I'm not talking about him greasing up your weenies, but shopping trips off campus and shit like that. DeSisto liked the blonde boys, that's a fact. Not much room for girls in the bed. Yeah it happended and there's photographic evidence, but it was like Michael Jackson's bed in Neverland-- it was sweet adn the picture was published in People magazine, the one of AMD and the boys that is. I don't make thus shit up. I wish it weren't true. AMD gave us a lecture on how to suck cock in senior seminar. Yeah the man knew how to put it in the gutter; he had the gift for that. If it weren't masturbation, then it was fellatio. Does the absence of any semblense of any sanctioned normal male/female sexual realtionships on campus worry anyone now? I think it affects us to this day--it was our adolescence robbed or deformed for pete's sake. Run but you can't hide, you can't deny it---AMD raped us all--YOU'RE A BITCH :exclaim:
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Wow. You definitely need help. I'm sorry TDS didn't help you then, but I hope you are finding another way to get help today.
On 2005-05-11 20:36:00, Anonymous wrote:
"I find that the former TDS students that are so enamoured with the school decades later received special attention from AMD himself. I'm not talking about him greasing up your weenies, but shopping trips off campus and shit like that. DeSisto liked the blonde boys, that's a fact. Not much room for girls in the bed. Yeah it happended and there's photographic evidence, but it was like Michael Jackson's bed in Neverland-- it was sweet adn the picture was published in People magazine, the one of AMD and the boys that is. I don't make thus shit up. I wish it weren't true. AMD gave us a lecture on how to suck cock in senior seminar. Yeah the man knew how to put it in the gutter; he had the gift for that. If it weren't masturbation, then it was fellatio. Does the absence of any semblense of any sanctioned normal male/female sexual realtionships on campus worry anyone now? I think it affects us to this day--it was our adolescence robbed or deformed for pete's sake. Run but you can't hide, you can't deny it---AMD raped us all--YOU'RE A BITCH :exclaim: "
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the old Desisto school with many of the same players except MD as he is no longer alive is running in Florida under Cold Springs someone should alert the Florida authorities of these terrible things.
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On 2005-05-13 10:54:00, Anonymous wrote:
Its shit like this that makes me want to throw my hands up and give up. How can you get through to someone who appears to have drunk GALLONS of the Kool-Aid?
Oh, you don't. You just give them a free and open forum to show their own asses so that their friends, collegues and neighbors will see them coming.
"Narcotics have been systematically scapegoated and demonized. The idea that anyone can use drugs and escape a horrible fate is an anathema to these idiots. I predict that in the near future right-wingers will use drug hysteria as a pretext to set up an international police apparatus."
--William S. Burroughs
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On 2005-05-17 03:11:00, Anonymous wrote:
"the old Desisto school with many of the same players except MD as he is no longer alive is running in Florida under Cold Springs someone should alert the Florida authorities of these terrible things."
The Cold Spring Academy is Sarasota had its last graduation and has closed.
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And only if this is true they closed to open under yet another name and pull the same crap they did in MA, Mexico (which I am sure they are open there), FLA, and now where else? Dangerous people doing dangerous things.
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Starting with an example from DeSisto, if someone ran away from our quad we would all be held responsibile. Why? Because we were a group. We were expected to be in tune with each other, care for each other, and protect each other. It was extremely rare that someone would run away without there being any signs ahead a time. The trick was were you really looking at how someone in your quad was doing? Did you personally try to understand what they were going through, try to help them in some way, or try to get them help? As a group there should have been enough eyes and relationships to help them. Therefore, their running away was a failure for the group. Importantly, new students running away was treated differently of course.
A key benefit was you learned to pay attention to, help, and watchout for people you potentially never would have paid attention to "outside." In doing so you learned to better understand and respect all people, regardless of traditional stereotypes, etc.. That inclination has served me very well since then and I wish more people had the opportunity or push to instill this in themselves.
Translation from cultspeak to English:
"everyone gets punished because nobody ratted".
I went to Hyde School, not DeSisto, but it was
the same at Hyde. In fact the more I read about
DeSisto here the more it sounds like Hyde. If
Hyde had a patron saint it would be Judas Iscariot.The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins; all of them imaginary.
H.L. Mencken, 1923