Why on earth do you think I would have reason to lie about such things? My son has been permanently damaged by this program, and I want only to protect other kids from having this experience. I did my due diligence, at least I thought so, but the CRA website presented only series of lies and exaggerations; had I seen this facility, this "academy", I would never have sent my son there. For those that do not know, Samoa is a third world country. There is not a plethora of fresh vegetables on the island. Like all islands many vegetables and fruits have to be imported. So the highly nutritional diet that the website promised was mostly chicken and rice, fried foods. The drinking water was filthy. Ocean waters were polluted by open sewers. We stayed at the "high end" hotel in Apia and it was disgusting. During my visit, my son refused dinner every evening. What he revealed after three days was that he had been vomiting blood for weeks on end, was hospitalized for dehydration, without my knowledge and without my consent. He was a minor at the time. I took him to the only western doctor on the island, a bleak, concerning office. We were told that it was likely parasites and were sent to the local hospital for bloodwork. I have traveled throughout Asia and India, and never have I seen a hospital as horrifying. In the end, not only did my son have parasites, he had Hepatitis A. When he complained continually to the nurse on staff of his ailments, he was accused of manipulation, was told to drink more water, and was bumped down a level.
After his return and his concerning downward spiral, he was diagnosed with PTSD. I began researching this program and the directors aggressively. First thing I found was a warning on the Department of State website about behavior modification programs in Samoa. Had I found this at the start, this program would have been off of the list, without question. Corporal punishment is LEGAL in Samoa. What parent in their right mind with this information would send a child to this country for "rehabilitation".
This is an offshore program. Legal action is impossible.
I urge all parents to read the book "Help at Any Cost" by Maia Szalavitz. Szalavitz is a former producer for the Charlie Rose Show and for Bill Moyers - highly respected producer and journalist. I heard an interview with her on National Public Radio upon my sons return from Samoa and read her book shortly thereafter. Paradise Cove was not simply "closed". It was ridden with abuse, and shut down. And it is highly concerning that any staff from this program was rehired CRA.
This is what I know now to be true. Troubled teens reflect family dysfunction. These teens should not be sent away, punished with confinement and severe consequences. What is needed is family therapy. We, as parents, need to look at ourselves with rigorous honesty. Healing for the teenager comes only when the family is healed.
In our case, unfortunately, the damage may already be irreparable for my son, but I still have hope.
What I am wondering is this....if you are a student that was/is content with your experience at CRA, why are you on this teen advocate website. It is you, not I, that is suspect.
