Greg and Sara, Kim posted this back on page 3 or 4 in this thread. I thought that I would re-post it for anyone that wants to know where she was.
Kim said....
"I was in the L.I.F.E. program in the 80's for a year before going through the "6th Phase" and graduating successfully. I was PISSED and stunned when I went in, and didn't do much at first except feel REGRETFUL for things I had done to GET myself there. However, I DID start to learn some things and progressed through the Program.
Today I am in my 30's, and I feel very blessed to have been a part of that program. It helped me in MANY ways, and never was I abused in any form nor did I witness ANY abuse there ( and I visited often after completing). Yes, I had no make-up, tv, radio, etc. for months (ewww - how awful, huh?), and I didn't attend school for the first 3 months, but when I returned to high school on 3rd phase I earned honor roll for the first time! What I learned there was how to communicate my feelings, how to improve my self esteem and how to set priorities in my life. I learned to be a leader instead of a follower. I learned to be more rational in my thinking.
Was it FUN?? No -- especially not in the beginning!! Was it suppose to be FUN? No! Did I have some of the BEST times of my life once I made 6 phase?? You BET!! I have GREAT memories of dances, Proms, camping trips, etc...(with TONS of photo's to prove it) and have MANY of my best friends today are from my "program" days.
I have been to Growing Together many times (though not lately). When I was there, it was a really good program, and I don't doubt that is still is today.
Good for you that you care enough about your daughter to HELP her, instead of doing nothing. You have a BIG committment yourself to that program, and it's not easy (but nothing worth while ever is). I remember my parents going to talk to one of my friends that I was drinking with (prior to the program) because they saw in the paper she had been arrested for burglery... her mom just skipped right over the topic of treatment/programs. 6 years later (when she was 22) our local paper reported her murder the day after Halloween. She was prostituting, involved in drugs and was stabbed to death over 20 times, and left by the side of the road! I grew up with this giril from age 2 till we were 16 (and I went into the program). I wish SHE had gotten treatment (anywhere). Her killer has never been found.
As for the posts you've received here... don't think that you can change any of these people's minds with the TRUTH. They won't "go there". Most are STUCK. Sad but true.
Kim"
I hope that re-posting this dosen't offend anyone.
N[ This Message was edited by: jjpinks on 2005-02-07 07:20 ]