Concerned dad. The Who. Etc.
Swift River; Tranquility Bay; Mount Bachelor Academy.
Is this an actual conversation between real people or did I just stumble into a War of the Worlds fake radio broadcast where only HG Wells knows its a story and every listener is scared shitless.
Oh yeah, no, Its not fake Concerned Dad, and thank god hopefully you've been reading some of these other people because, and hopefully you can tell from my writing style I'm not them; now I am going to weigh in.
I was 18 when Swift River started in 96ish. I know the people who started it. Some of them were my counsellors?. I also know the concepts that they teach there, and while abuse may or may not be the correct word for everyone's experience; Brainwashing is. As is neglect, being forced to work, putting someone (i'm not even going to say kid because I've thought of myself basically as an adult since i was not one and think they should have a say regardless of their age) in a position of hopelessness of escape because the consequences actually would be REAL abuse somewhere worse. Sub-standard food for 5 grand a month (except on parents weekend).
Hang on, I'm getting too cosmic here. Simply this. I've been to jail several times since graduating from 'high school.' For dumb shit, freight train hopping, pot, drunk in public, etc. I would rather have spent high school in jail than at that school. At least in jail I wouldn't still be writing in a place like this to you 12 years after it happened urging you to tell them to go fuck themselves and there school. I've served honorably in the military since the school (the adult military). Um, yeah, the military was an absolute fucking joke compared to the hell of that school. And mine wasn't even that bad.
And I'm not talking about some crazy lock down or Juvy type thing. I am actually talking about no shit, a school exactly like Swift River. Exactly; the same people. Its actually a very specialized trade that not very many people are good at, so they get the same people to start up more and more of these places. Not many people are qualified to start them up becasue to be qualified to be an effective counselor, you have to go through it.
And 99% of the people after they go through it say, fuck no, I would never want to work there. I hate that place and everything it put me through and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy (i guess yeah; definition of geneva conventions torture, no?). Just occured to me. Am writing off the cuff here.
The other one percent or so become teachers, etc. there. I beleive that it fucked with them in such a way that casued them to not be able to let it go and instead of going out in the real world and moving on, for whatever reason have decided to stay in the safety of the hell they've grown used too and put others through it.
Other graduates handle it other ways. I have friends I graduated with that have friends that are recluses, locking themselves up in their houses with severe anxiety, stomach problems and ulcers. Others are not living anymore. Some are living normal lives. The thing is though, I don't know anyone who talks a whole lot about high school, beleive me. Its not something any of us like to remember.
Don't get me wrong. I honestly do think some of the counselors truly beleive and want the best for your kids. Yes, in fact actually care a lot. Yeah, crazy huh? Doesn't sound like the normal fornit poster type resentful axe to grind type statement. You'll think the exact same thing when you meet with them, on the level people, open, straightforward, and honest. Seem to really care.
And then you'll talk to some current students. Again, wow, these kids really have a light in their eyes. They're going somewhere. They honestly get it. And they are not lying to you at that time either.
I'll tell you what though. Talk to any one of them after they get out and go on with life in the real world and see if that light is still there. Its FAKE. It works in the woods, when your washed and don't know any better. But not in life. Good plan, just doesn't work.
No zealot like a convert huh? Not just a catchy saying though, its true; for a while; till they rebel again against it like a mother fucker. A thousand times worse than they would have before having never been fORCED TO GO THROUGH IT. If they live through this period, then they don't want to talk about high school anymore. Understand?
In summation, I don't think I've been clear and helped a whole lot, but, I have a four year old little girl now (almost 5). I would fucking kill somebody if this was being considered for her. I mean fucking freak out. So for what its worth, thats that.
Do what you think is best..., and I say that with the utmost love and concern; and its love that is real; not fleeting; I am compassionate if anything.
Peace...
