I would like to once again thank the GAO and Members of the Committee on Education and Labor, especially Congressman George Miller and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy for all of the hard work and efforts put into these hearings. I was unable to attend the first hearing in October of 2007, however I was fortunately able to make it out to Washington D.C. for the second hearing last Thursday.
I am so thankful that this issue is finally starting to be recognized, and I think we are off to a great start. Still a long way to go, but I am confident that one day, everyone who has dedicated to this issue, that it will pay off.
I met and spoke with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy and others, and it was one of the most uplifting moments in my life.
I will add more later on, but just wanted to again, show my gratitude, for those who are not shaken in any form, from standing up for what is right and what is just.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
One of my personal wonders....
Even when people experience the same event, their observations, perceptions, thoughts, and emotions differ. Therefore our lives may seem a like, but are each individual and personal. It is one of the things about life that fascinate me when I really sit and think about it.
To explain, I'll use psychological therapy as an example. Doctors can give patients a diagnoses, let's use Depression as an example. Now, yes there are such things as diagnostic criteria and so on and so forth, but in a way it is like a stereotype. Every person who is "depressed" experiences different ranges of emotion, different thoughts, different helpful ways to cope, and different views on what they believe is the cause of their "depression". Psychological interventions and treatments, I think in many cases are overrated and too blunted. It is not similar to most physiological interventions and treatments, where even though there is not a solution for everything, there is majority of standard practices used. Physiological issues can be monitored, read, recorded, measured, and then based on those individual results, treatment is provided.
Psychological issues, in many instances cannot be monitored. By that, I mean there is no machine that can be hooked to read your mind and its thoughts, dreams and nightmares cannot be recorded while we sleep, and the list could go on. Psychology is more experimental than it is professional in many cases in my opinion. Like for instance, when someone has an abrasion, they can place antibacterial medication cream on it, stick a bandage on it, and move on. However with something like depression, that inner psychological abrasion, so to say, there is no learned behavior, that is a known solution, such as a bandage. It seems to me, that psychology is overrated as far as comparing its methods, research, studies, and so on to be advanced enough to be viewed as genuinely professional. There just seems to be too many gray areas.
I am going to add more to this soon.
To explain, I'll use psychological therapy as an example. Doctors can give patients a diagnoses, let's use Depression as an example. Now, yes there are such things as diagnostic criteria and so on and so forth, but in a way it is like a stereotype. Every person who is "depressed" experiences different ranges of emotion, different thoughts, different helpful ways to cope, and different views on what they believe is the cause of their "depression". Psychological interventions and treatments, I think in many cases are overrated and too blunted. It is not similar to most physiological interventions and treatments, where even though there is not a solution for everything, there is majority of standard practices used. Physiological issues can be monitored, read, recorded, measured, and then based on those individual results, treatment is provided.
Psychological issues, in many instances cannot be monitored. By that, I mean there is no machine that can be hooked to read your mind and its thoughts, dreams and nightmares cannot be recorded while we sleep, and the list could go on. Psychology is more experimental than it is professional in many cases in my opinion. Like for instance, when someone has an abrasion, they can place antibacterial medication cream on it, stick a bandage on it, and move on. However with something like depression, that inner psychological abrasion, so to say, there is no learned behavior, that is a known solution, such as a bandage. It seems to me, that psychology is overrated as far as comparing its methods, research, studies, and so on to be advanced enough to be viewed as genuinely professional. There just seems to be too many gray areas.
I am going to add more to this soon.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Compassionate People Are Out There
With regard to my last post about the hate on the internet, I also wanted to touch on the people who are compassionate. As I have come across many people like I explained in the last post, I have also met some absolutly wonderful people as well. People who are true to standing up for what is right, without engaging themselves in hateful, cruel actions. I am so thankful for being blessed with having these people in my life.
These are the people who give me inspiration to never give up or give in. They are such strong, intelligent, and altruistic individuals who are making a difference out there. Without people such as this, I am not sure where I would be and more importantly where the direction of this cause would be. It is so important to recognize and appreciate those who persevere in standing for what is right and what is just.
These are the people who give me inspiration to never give up or give in. They are such strong, intelligent, and altruistic individuals who are making a difference out there. Without people such as this, I am not sure where I would be and more importantly where the direction of this cause would be. It is so important to recognize and appreciate those who persevere in standing for what is right and what is just.
Hate on the Web is Horrific
Id like to explain a bit of my frustrations, which mind you are my opinion and my personal views. In my time so far, as doing my best in advocacy for victims and survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry, like I myself am, I have come to learning more and more everyday. I have seen and experienced quite a bit of controversy right here on the web. I have come to learn some of the realities of websites, that claim they are all here to stand for the same cause, yet just as in life itself I have come across a variety of negativity. The liars, the disturbed, the narcissistic, etc.
I have seen people who claim to be fighting this cause, who are doing nothing more than just posting up false statements, harassing others, and making themselves miserable. If this is a cause that really means so much to them, if they are there for the victims, survivors, and future teens, what do they think gives them the right to attack others? Not in anyway am I saying that different opinions is attacking. By attacking, I mean, that if a survivor or concerned parent was to post something on the site, that would oppose to what they think, many times, the "opposer" is then attacked, in such a way that it seems if you dont agree with everything that the "regulars" on the site have to say, then you become the enemy. You become a target, no matter whether you have been a member of that site for a long time, or just a day. Many on these sites seem to be blindsided to listening to any one elses opinions or views, because of possible issues with pride, and never to admit that they missed something, made a mistake, or were ever wrong. Sometimes, it goes as far as "hate sites" made about others, with whom the blindsided felt threatened or have become "obsessive" about, and many times feel no remorse and even feel justified in their heinous behavior towards that person.
What ever happened to putting yourself in someone elses shoes before doing something that may possibly hurt or damage someone? What happened to first thinking how you would feel if someone did that to you?
To do all these wrongful and cruel things, makes people tend to discredit themselves, not even realizing it. If I was someone doing research on this industry, trying to get help and find answers, and I came across sites like this, I myself would most likely view a site like that unreliable, and also may feel too uncomfortable to ask any questions, in fear of what others might say to me through their perceptions and judgments of me. How would I know who to believe and who not to believe?
That was one of my frustrations, because to me, it is wrong. I don't agree, and I do not want to be any part of it.
These are my experiences, my views, and my opinions only.
I have seen people who claim to be fighting this cause, who are doing nothing more than just posting up false statements, harassing others, and making themselves miserable. If this is a cause that really means so much to them, if they are there for the victims, survivors, and future teens, what do they think gives them the right to attack others? Not in anyway am I saying that different opinions is attacking. By attacking, I mean, that if a survivor or concerned parent was to post something on the site, that would oppose to what they think, many times, the "opposer" is then attacked, in such a way that it seems if you dont agree with everything that the "regulars" on the site have to say, then you become the enemy. You become a target, no matter whether you have been a member of that site for a long time, or just a day. Many on these sites seem to be blindsided to listening to any one elses opinions or views, because of possible issues with pride, and never to admit that they missed something, made a mistake, or were ever wrong. Sometimes, it goes as far as "hate sites" made about others, with whom the blindsided felt threatened or have become "obsessive" about, and many times feel no remorse and even feel justified in their heinous behavior towards that person.
What ever happened to putting yourself in someone elses shoes before doing something that may possibly hurt or damage someone? What happened to first thinking how you would feel if someone did that to you?
To do all these wrongful and cruel things, makes people tend to discredit themselves, not even realizing it. If I was someone doing research on this industry, trying to get help and find answers, and I came across sites like this, I myself would most likely view a site like that unreliable, and also may feel too uncomfortable to ask any questions, in fear of what others might say to me through their perceptions and judgments of me. How would I know who to believe and who not to believe?
That was one of my frustrations, because to me, it is wrong. I don't agree, and I do not want to be any part of it.
These are my experiences, my views, and my opinions only.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
WWW War Zone
There is a second cause that needs attention paid to it, which some are realizing and fighting as well. The war taking place on the WorldWideWeb. I personally, know of some who are fighting the abuse that takes place on the internet. I have to say, that I back up those who are fighting this, because the internet can be its own war zone, and when it inflicts pain on those whom I know, it makes me sick. People who have been victims of this system, and now are being victimized on the internet. What gets me is how a lot of sites and networks, claim to be against things such as cults, abuse, and so forth and, they contradict themselves, by doing the same things (and feel justified in doing so!!) When you claim one thing in your words, and do the opposite in your actions, then how can you expect to help anyone? Words are just words, but words, with the actions behind them, is what makes the true difference; and when your actions contradict your words, in any matter, how can you expect anyone to be able to rely on you for help?
These are my personal opinions and thoughts, and I mean what I say. Im not in anyway trying to "sell myself" for something I am not. This is me, this is what I believe, and this is what I came to say.
I am grateful for those who are taking a stand, to fight for what is right, not just for their own wellbeing and safety, but for society as a whole. I will add more to this matter later on.
We need to be aware of the dangers out there in cyberspace.
These are my personal opinions and thoughts, and I mean what I say. Im not in anyway trying to "sell myself" for something I am not. This is me, this is what I believe, and this is what I came to say.
I am grateful for those who are taking a stand, to fight for what is right, not just for their own wellbeing and safety, but for society as a whole. I will add more to this matter later on.
We need to be aware of the dangers out there in cyberspace.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
TroubledTeenSurvivor.com Now Open!
Hello all. In my recent frustrations, I have decided to create my own website and network, in which I hope to continue in my strong efforts to help inform families, survivors, and the world the truths of the Troubled Teen Industry. I found myself getting extremely frustrated with other websites; in which I agree with their main purpose, but have the belief in my personal opinion, that that main purpose, gets mixed up into the wrong hands. These sites, are not regulated, which is fine if that is how they choose to operate. However, I do choose to have my site regulated, in order to provide a clearer, more accurate, and precise vision regarding the Troubled Teen Industry. I am not in any way, prejudice to these sites, except in cases where they seem to not have regulation of what is being put out there. This is my personal view, and not meant in any way to attempt to discredit anyone who is trying to fight this cause.
Please stay tuned, I am still working on the site.
Http://www.troubledteensurvivor.com
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and for your time.
Please stay tuned, I am still working on the site.
Http://www.troubledteensurvivor.com
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation and for your time.
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