I've never been in these places, but that story about tranquility bay caught my eye... I couldn't stop thinking about it, imagining how bad it is, and that I can't stand it happening. I've lost lots of sleep. I want to help.
Then I started thinking about my own past. I'm only 19, so I still remember what happened in the 5th grade. See, I've had (and still do to a much lesser degree) have something called "semantic pragmatic disorder". But in the 5th grade it was so bad I did not understand people, what I said came out really weird, and I would attract abuse from my "peers", if not make people pick fights. I was misdiagnosed as Bipolar and drew attention for verbally lashing out when I became frustrated at how apathetic the teachers were.
So, I was pulled from that normal school and found out I'd be going to a "special place" for half-days. I even had a taxi pick me up! (and 2 other boys, who were either screwed up and needed help for just too violent at their regular school). The work was exceedingly easy, but I noticed how there were 4 levels you could be at. I didn't think much of it. I also noticed there was a 'timeout room' and sometimes I'd see large faculty members pinning people down and dragging them in there. I'm a claustrophobe, and that horrified me.
Then I learned the story of why the lock to that room is springloaded and someone has to stand there and hold it shut - there was fire and apparently a child locked in there died from smoke inhalation.
I didn't stay there long, I didn't realize where I was or why. But after I found out about this crap going on under everyone's noses I realized I dodged a bullet. I was terrifyingly close to ending up in one of these hellholes. I was nonviolent, I was in the AG program (smart kids) so the work was exceedingly easy and I didn't do anything to anyone, so I was pulled out.
I got the help I needed - speech therapy and socialization with other people to learn how to understand people better. Imagine how screwed up I'd be now if I was in one of those 'treatment' camps? I doubt I could speak coherantly and I'd probably be a shell of myself or psychotic.
I dodged a bullet. I'm not going to just forget what I've discovered, or forget the fact that I almost because a survivor, or worse.
My email is
[email protected] , as is my MSN. AIM is Nihilanthic2. If anyone has any info, or just want someone talk to - I'm usually available.
And no, I'm not just going to give up. I'd like to help organize all of the outcry and all of the victims and advocatsy groups together so there could be a coherant campaign to the media and law enforcement.
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