I was in a “partial hospital/partial school” private facility. They staff of “counselors” and “child development specialists” didn’t care. And the teachers? One “science” teacher thought an electron microscope was simply a regular optical microscope but used a light bulb instead of a mirror for its light source! Mind you, my dad worked at a tool & die manufacturing plant where I got to see such equipment firsthand. But the teacher didn’t believe me!

That place in Pittsburgh PA, originally named “Craig House - Technoma” and now known as “Craig Academy”, was a very violent place. Not just for the psychological torture of attempting to get through the days of dealing with the stupid staff there but physically violent too. Quite a few fights would erupt daily. And the staff didn’t care.

It took me a very long time to deal with the damage that place did to me. And now I realize that silence is how these places get away with their malpractice. Even worse, if you’re “crazy” your testimony is seen as irrelevant! So the kids harmed by that environment are fucked right from the start. And their shrinks and social workers (well ensconced away from the madness in their own wing) will do what they can to make that child in front of them look bad, too.

Think about it: All of those assholes would rather have that child develop into a drunken adult who’ll not take that chance, realize the score and speak out, and wind up enslaved further within the system.

My only regret is that I didn’t speak out sooner. But at least I broke free and stated my stuff about that place years ago. Not many people are willing to risk humiliation due to their former status as a “patient” in one of those places. But then I’m glad I’m one of the few, a person who has realized the value of the ‘net, who spoke out. And I’m not alone.

–Mark B., editor of “The ARID Site”