|
A Mother's
Intuition, A Mother's Love
"Elisa
had the beauty of a princess”
By: Isabelle Zehnder
July 23, 2006
Elisa Santry was an
excellent student who was liked by all who knew her. She was adored
by her family. Elisa applied for
a scholarship to Outward Bound's three-week wilderness program
believing it would help her overcome her shyness. She was delighted
to learn she won the scholarship. Friends and family shared in her
excitement.
But her mother,
Elisa Woods,
feared for her daughter's safety. Her own intuition told her she
should not allow her daughter to go. She admits she was a bit
overprotective of her children and especially of Elisa: "her
miracle". During her pregnancy she hemorrhaged and both she and the
baby could have lost their lives. When Elisa was born, her parents
had trouble deciding what to name her so Elisa's mom gave her her
own name.
Others persuaded her to let
Elisa go, saying it would be good for her. Meg, Elisa's mentor at
Summer Search, assured Elisa's mother that her daughter would be
safe, that there was plenty of supervision in these programs, and
that no one had ever died. Finally, she gave in and
Elisa was on her way from Boston to Utah.
Sadly, this story
has the worse possible ending - Elisa lost her life out in the
dessert just days before the program was to end. (Click
here)
Today Elisa should
be coming home but instead she will be
laid to rest by her family and friends in Boston.
We teach our children "Don't Go With
Strangers "
The program Elisa
attended was of her own choosing. However, there are literally thousands
of children who have been sent to programs both in and outside the
US against their will. Many parents and children have reported communication between
them was restricted - many were not allowed to speak with or see
their child for months, sometimes up to and over a year. Their
letters were censored, large portions blacked out.
Parents typically
find these programs when doing an Internet search. There are
literally hundreds of websites for parents to choose from and their
search can become overwhelming and confusing. Once they take the next
step - calling the 800 number - they find a calm, cool, and
collected person on the other end of the line. An answer to their
prayers. What they do not know is this person will be paid a nice
sum of money if she can convince the parent to enroll their child
into one of their programs.
Typically within 24
hours parents receive nice glossy brochures in the mail and a
follow-up phone call. This time they are told if they do not act
quickly they may lose the opportunity to help their child. Parents
have been convinced by strangers over the telephone to hire an
escort service to transport their children to facilities inside and
outside the US, many in remote, rural, hard-to-get-to locations -
locations they have not visited - to be with people they have never
met before.
They entrust the
care of their child to complete strangers.
Time and time again
we have heard reports of children being taken from their beds in the
middle of the night, forced to dress in front of strangers, then
taken out of their homes - some in handcuffs, some pepper sprayed,
some blindfolded - all frightened. The emotional scars of these
"abductions" can last a lifetime. Trust is a major issue for many of
these children once they return from the program.
We have heard
horror stories of what some children have endured.
It is the consistency of their stories that is chilling. The pattern
of abuse and neglect cannot be ignored.
Parents, if this
sounds familiar and if your
child is in such a program I urge you to listen to your own
feelings, to your own intuition, and ask yourself if you believe
this is in the best interest of your child and your family. We have
heard many stories from parents and children who have been through
these programs. Many have stated their families have been torn
apart, though the program professes to bring families back together
again.
Legitimate programs
that hire qualified staff and that treat children with respect and
dignity have nothing to hide and communication is not restricted,
letters are not blocked out, parents are not told they must attend
what many claim to be brainwashing seminars in order for their child
to advance in the program.
If your
child is in a program and you are not allowed to speak to or see him
or her for an extended period of time, perhaps it is time for an
unannounced visit to be sure he or she is alright.
Some claim these
programs have helped their families. And we are happy for them.
We cannot ignore
the hundreds of news articles that have been written or Inside
Edition, Dateline NBC, 48 Hours, Fox News, and other television
programs that have aired on children who have been abused,
neglected, and who have died in programs. Again, it is the
consistency of their stories that is chilling.
 Our
children are by far the most precious gift we are ever given in this
life. It is our job, as parents, to raise them to be loving and
caring individuals. It is also our job to listen to our inner voice
when it tells us that something is wrong.
Others may profess
to know what is best for your child but ultimately it is we parents
who know what is best.
Elisa's short life
ended because those who should have cared for her were, in my
opinion, neglectful. Many questions have yet to be answered, but we
do know that she was hiking in 110 degree weather with a group of
girls. We also know that these children were allowed to hike alone,
something that makes absolutely no sense to me.
Elisa complained
she did not feel well that morning. Why was she allowed to make a
decision the adults entrusted to care for her should have made? I
have a hard time understanding why they did not cancel the hike
altogether - they are professionals and should have known the
temperatures would reach unsafe levels that day.
Far too many
children are being abused, neglected, and far too many are dying.
|
