So many things to comment on-It is obvious that you and I have different opinions of abuse. For example, motivating to me is not abuse. Not even close. To you, however, it is. Knowing that you think that way, I can only imagine your level of disgust and disdain for any place like Straight.
I have read on different sites about the incident with the protest and the child running toward you. It was absolutely wrong for that kid to be stopped. While I was at SAFE, once a child was out of the building, staff could do nothing.
When you guys talk about being deprived of water, bathroom, etc. I can not state more emphatically that things like that did not occur from 92-95, when I worked there.
You say you are not angry anymore. Please go back and review what you have written. Blood letting? Drama is best kept to the stage. What happened to you at Straight did not happen to any of the kids on my watch.
If it makes you feel any better, I can not imagine SAFE being open for much longer.
I to have a 9 year old daughter and am doing my best to keep her on the right track so that I am not faced with decisions your parents had to make.
It has been over 8 years since I worked there and I still feel very proud of the work I did there. I am not brainwashed. I am not under some cult like influence. I did disagree with Loretta on many things, but that did not mean abuse or negelct happened there, because it did not.
I would urge you to call the police, HRS, or whoever else will listen and tell them what you think. I have also read that many of you beleive that the local and state authorities are covering for SAFE. Call the FBI, show them the WAMI video, fill out personal affadavits, and see what happens. I am not sure, but I would guess that after a big investigation, nothing will happen. Those of you who are doing things like this, I applaud your efforts to try and make things better. For those of you who are simply unhappy and complaining, may I suggest a local AA meeting.
_________________
Tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
-Ben Franklin
[ This Message was edited by: exsafecounselor on 2003-11-10 07:31 ]