Teens, Parents, General Public, Whomever...

My name is Dyan and I'm from Chicago,Illinois. I went to Alldredge Academy in December 2001 until the end of April 2002. Even after a year and a half of being home from Alldredge, my family and I still gets calls constantly, from parents wondering about alldredge. My family has nothing but good things to say. I've been talking to both parents and kids having problems, some of which have been through alldredge and I know personally, and some parents asking me about my experience and if it can help their kid's situation.

Its cool and really beneficial for both me and other people to hear this from someone who has been there, to Alldredge or just in a similar situation. You can empathize with the kid and they can with you b/c they know you understand how they feel and what they're going through. You know first hand, because you've done it. Their advice counts more and can be taken more to heart, rather than blocking it out as i had once done.

I am doing well. I graduated from Alldredge and am at indiana university, going to be a sophmore in the Fall of 2003. i am a Psychology major and i love it. I've never been interested in anything to a point like this, where i can sit down and read about things, without them being assigned as homework or on a test.

I brought my drum, which i built at alldredge, to school with me too. There were some kids in my dorm who had drums. Of course they had bought theirs and were impressed with the fact that i made mine. They would jam with me in front of our dorm, in the quad and on our porch.

I see the same pyschologist who i've been seeing since i got home from alldredge. Yes me, the one who used to amuse myself by making up stories to psychologists and lying, now willingly sees one and wants to be one. So Ironic. It started off as just something to make the transition go smoothly from alldredge to home, and even a little to humor my parents, but throughout the year he has helped when i've needed an outside opinion on a situation or someone to talk to. My parents have been seein him since i was away at alldredge so he's known alot about things going on.

By no means am I implying I'm perfect and never make a mistake. However, I do have a greater understanding of myself and others, along with new perspectives on things/situations, which prior to my experience at alldredge, i wouldn't even acknowledge to exist. I feel good, though, and have started becoming more motivated to help other people, rather than thinking only of myself and what I want. I've learned and am still learning that parents are just "big kids" and have their own issues that they are dealing with. Whether or not they agree to and follow through with change though, by doing your part and changing yourself, it helps them and the whole situation as a whole.

I still talk to a lot of the kids i went through the program with. One of those girls and I were talking the other day about how we miss Alldredge. And no one, not even our parents or closest friends who've heard endless stories repeatedly, will ever be able to understand or imagine what we have experienced at alldredge academy. Not a day goes by that im not in some sort of situation or that i dont experience something triggering alldredge in my mind. The way i think has been forever altered b/c of my experience at alldredge. The things learned there about others and myself apply and will continue to apply to everything in my life. Every challenge or situation one faces, can be approached with different strategies and perspectives learned and experimented with at Alldredge. The oppurtunity to learn things about myself and the world is there and I took it. I often find myself thinking of alldredge when i get confused or am in a controversial situation, without even meaning to. It's kinda weird b/c it happens automatically. It's like I have this conscience now, which has grown louder and stonger over time, i used to ignore.

Bottom line, I'll always have a place in my heart for Alldredge and the appreciation for everyone and everything it regave me. I was heading nowhere, yet here i now am, a psychology major attending Indiana Universtiy, with a better understanding of myself, my purpose and the world around me. My life has been touched by this place, and even after this letter I still dont feel it expresses what Alldredge has done for me and how appreciate I am. Still, thank you for forever changing the lives of my family and me.

Sincerely,
Dyan