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http://www.sptimes.com/2003/09/04/South ... s_la.shtmlEdited by Antigen]
Here is the letter I sent today to the St. Pete Times letter's tot he editor: Flood 'em with letters y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Editor:
Richard Bradbury is telling the truth! I was a victim of Straight, Inc. for approximately 15 months from Dec 1978 to March of 1980. During my time at Straight, Inc. I endured and witnessed countless horrors and abuses on children. At Straight, basic human needs were regularly withheld from me, other children and young adults. This includes the denial of water, food, sleep and medication when I was sick. We were allowed 2 dixie riddle cups of liquid per day. Later we were allowed a little more liquid, but never enough. The only time I was able to hydrate myself was in the 2-3 minute shower I was allowed at night. I was beaten by children under the supervision and encouragement of adults and other children staff. When I had a fever of 102+, I was not allowed any medication to break the fever. When I had jock itch that covered my body from my waist to my knees, I was not allowed any medication. I soiled myself when I was sick, was told it was an attention game and was not allowed to change clothes or clean myself for almost 10 hours. I was imprisoned at Straight after I was 18 years of age without a court order. I was restrained, sat on and gang tackled by groups of boys when I tried to leave after my 18th birthday. I had to sleep on a terrazzo floor many days during the first phase of my program.
I personally witnessed countless other children being beaten, restrained, humiliated, denied medication, food, sleep and water. I remember seeing an 11 year old boy hogtied, hung upside down and beat with a broom. His crime? He wanted to go home to his parents.
The abuses at Straight were covered up for many many years and it's time the world, and especially the people in the Tampa Bay area know what went on. We are no longer children. We are now adults which is something the people that ran straight never thought would happen.
Mike Sherman, Straight Survivor