It is not easy to admit you have made mistakes, especially as a parent when our kids are involved.However, it is so important to take your mistakes and learn from them then move forward.Having an at risk teen can truly put any parent at risk in making rash and wrong decisions.
Learn from my mistakes - slow down, think it through - gain from my knowledge.I am constantly battling the attacks of people I defeated in both my victorious jury trials as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal. Their obsession with me has become, at times, frightening - not of them, but for them. It seems like a true sickness.
At the end of the day - yes, I made a lot of mistakes. I have fought a solid fight and won against one of the largest corporations in the Teen Help Industry - World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASP or WWASPS).
I further held my ground when a former WWASPS parent received $12,500.00 (which I believe was money to help destroy me) - to go on an Internet Smear Campaign of my family, my organization and myself.Winning an unprecedented $11.3M jury verdict for damages for Internet Defamation has become a turning point for people that believe that free speech condones defamation.
My mistakes? Trusting. I trusted Teen Help/WWASPS/Carolina Springs Academy - I was desperate and they preyed on that. My story - http://www.aparentstruestory.com/ will give you a more detailed outline of my mistakes.
My second mistake - which at the time I was was minor - but it seems my enemies want to blow it up; was not proof-reading my bio that was on the P.U.R.E. website in the beginning. I was busy helping parents and had little to do with the website. The erroneous statement that I had graduated college - as well as a Certification of Educational Planner - was not written by me. In my defense, it was corrected the moment I became aware of the mistake.
Now we are in 2008 and through all my trials and tribulations I have become a voice for not only parents struggling with today's teens, but a voice to help create a safer Cyberspace. I have recently meet with my Congresswoman as well as a Florida Senator a few times - and we will continue to fight to provide safety for people in Cyberspace and children.
My first book, Wit's End!, will be out in July 2008. This will be full of inspiration, hope as well as vast resources for people working with today's kids. The second book is in progress, and will be a continuation of hope.
With today's generation of kids - hope and inspiration is something you can never have too much of.I am fortunate that my books are being published by the same people that brought you the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. I feel honored to be part of their family.
