(To read part 1 of Amber’s story, click here.)
Our Gauntlet “week” was more like a month long as leadership scurried to adjust and make plans for the interns based on the new surroundings and resources. We had to run a mile every day – nothing compared to the 3 miles I have read is now required BUT there were NO paved surfaces only pot hole infested dirt roads were I will say about 1/2 of my class received sprained ankles, broken bones from. And at the time we had NO infirmary, no “nurse.” If we needed medical attention we had to find someone who could drive us into town to take care of us and for a few individuals who needed PT went down the road to YWAM’s base.
I think it was spring when Hasz and some in leadership and a few elite interns/alumni created a “Leadership Challenge” Course called “Night Watch.” It was from this time forward and from hearing open & public conversations between others that I began to take note of Hasz’s fascination with the US Armed Forces Boot Camp style of training. In fact during my year we had a January who had served. I do not remember if it was the army or the marines, but he had served and after leaving the service came to the HA. Night Watch was introduced to us as a personally stretching and growing & leadership making challenge. It was for 1 night, about 8pm -2/4am on a Friday. I immediately signed up for the first night this was offered. We were told to dress in dark warm clothing and to report to the cafeteria and 8pm. That Friday everyone who signed up reported to the cafeteria as instructed. We were broken into teams of 5-7, given a raw egg, each team member a set of safety eye glasses (the kind that have replaceable/adjustable ear pieces, a list of instructions/rules and a sling shot with 25 or so paint balls. The rules outlined the course and included instructions that we were not to go near the dorm or veer off course and that all team member had to participate and we were not to speak to anyone outside of our team, and we all had to wear our safety eye glasses at all times. The course was that we were to go to various locations on campus, complete a puzzle or physical challenge/obstacle in order to receive our next location clue.
My team’s first assignment was to go to the water retention pond by the airplane hanger (which is now the auditorium). We were to wade across the pond carrying or floating a telephone pole that we were to then drag through the drainage pipe. What wasn’t explained to us till we experienced it was that leadership and a few elite interns/alumni were going to “hunt” us throughout the entire challenge. Leaders were stationed throughout the course, armed with a walkie-talkie and a paintball gun/rifle. If our team was spotted we would be shot at and chased. For those of us who enjoyed extreme style activities this was “fun” but for those of us not use to this it was terrifying. Especially since leadership seemed to really get into and relish “hunting” us and shooting at us. And if any of the interns “mouthed off” at leadership – the team was shot at more heavily and particularly targeted to be humbled.
For the most part I enjoyed the course, I enjoyed bonding with my team and learning more about the inner strength and character of each of them (did they complain about walking so far, or were they cheerful about having some moonlight to see by or who wanted and had to have control over the team sling shot.) However I experienced one moment that left me physically scared and terrified for years to come. Towards the end my team had one more obstacle to tackle. We were to go to the old mail boxes across the street from the main entrance. When there we got our puzzle/clue while trying to work the puzzle/clue our we saw a jeep drive down the TM road and turn left. We all commented that it was likely some interns or staff going into town. We fell back to solving our clue, a few minutes later we were discussing the clue and were so wrapped up in solving it no one noticed a dark vehicle on the road coast towards us until we saw the headlights switch on and heard and felt shots pour into our group. I was hit in the face and ear, to which I screamed in terror and pain. (I later learned that my scream was heard in the dorm by a few late night interns.) That experience of being involved in a drive by shooting, albeit paintball, traumatized me so much that for years later I panicked/feared being shot by passing cars when outside by the road on dark quiet nights. In any event I attribute this course challenge — its creation, fruition, and leadership’s enjoyment in it and fascination with Armed Forces Boot camp — as being the seeds that would later grow into the ESOAL.
As I’ve read the blog, I’ve also returned to memories of friends lost along the path of TM’s good intentions to be righteous and godly but failed due to legalism, faulty natures, prejudice & false doctrine. These people, children of God, were good people beloved of God and I grieve the pain they experienced.
In particular I remember a girl who was singled out (for verbal confrontation and disciplinary action that bordered on HARASSMENT) by a former female staff member because her appearance was Goth (not the so called “Clean Christian Norm”). However, it was evident to those that got to know her that she loved the Lord and set the HA year aside to serve and live and be closer to Christ. I know that after she graduated she received “confrontational/accountability” calls from Hasz & other leadership because of rumors or beliefs held by them regarding her. I don’t know how or from whom they heard these rumors, but I know that these calls and their condemnation and lack of love or grace or forgiveness or desire to help/counsel was the straw that helped her turn her back on it all Christianity – even long held Christian friends from before the Internship, etc.
45 comments:
“That experience of being involved in a drive by shooting, albeit paintball, traumatized me so much that for years later I panicked/feared being shot by passing cars when outside by the road on dark quiet nights. In any event I attribute this course challenge”
Yikes Amber–I could totally see why that would affect you! I agree, I don’t really understand HAs fascination with the military-type stuff….
As far as the girl who was confronted and turned away from Christianity–I wonder how many former interns have turned away from the Lord…I’ve seen several who have posted such. I find that really disturbing and concerning…I am praying that God will work on their hearts and draw them back to Him–not back to ‘church’, but to a real relationship with Christ.
March 22, 2010 6:39 AM
Shannon Kish said…
Wow. I am sick just reading that. Amber, I am so sorry that you had to go through that. I can’t begin to imagine how that helped you grow closer to the Lord.
Something that has ALWAYS bothered me, including when I was at the HA, is the lack of a nurse/doctor on campus. While there was rumored (I say rumored because she never seemed to be there when I needed her) to be a part-time nurse that came on like Tuesdays or something. How is it possible to have 500+ kids gathered on a campus without a nurse/doctor on staff and available for basic first aid?
March 22, 2010 6:53 AM
Shiloh said…
Wow. Maybe because it is just so early, I’m near tears reading your post this morning.
I took part in that same thing my intern year. I believe it was newly introduced. I can’t remember what they called it… STI. I think.
They said they had done it one year previous but never did it again until that year.
My team had to go threw a paintball course. I broke down because I didn’t want to go through. There were 15 or so G.I.’s shooting at 5 interns! I was terrified. A bunch of G.I.’s would come up to me, telling me I needed to tough it out. (who I knew and worked with! G.I.’s get into funny mood when they’re facilitators, it’s like day and night.) … I know, I was one of them.
I finally felt so guilty I did it. By that point, because it had been like 20 minutes, they took a lot of the G.I.’s out and got it down to 8 or so.
Wow. I really feel like crying. Not for myself, but just because of how much pain a lot of people go through there.
It is just so shocking to me that the same stuff has been going on since the beginning!
March 22, 2010 8:24 AM
Robbie said…
This is terrifying. When participants in your program are showing clear signs of post-traumatic stress disorder, it’s probably time to make some changes.
On a side note, I find it amusing that Teen Mania named this particular event “S.T.I.” (as Shiloh noted), seeing as how that stands for “sexually transmitted infection” in most of the world. Although, since each & every kid involved in TMM is abstinent, the irony may have been lost on them. 😉
March 22, 2010 9:01 AM
Eric P. said…
Wow. Just wow.
Last week I came across this article in my research; the author compares and contrasts military-style cults with the real US Marine Corps. Not everything lines up precisely, but the parallels to stories like this are definitely there. Military-style “training” without the accountability and care that’s present in the actual military is a classic sign of cultic brainwashing.
Causing years of emotional trauma is unquestionably abusive. TM needs to repent and change or to have their pants sued off.
March 22, 2010 9:06 AM
Shiloh said…
You know, I’m really wondering why people don’t sue T.M. for some of the things they do!
It feels like we signed something that said we weren’t allowed to sue them if anything happened to us. (is that true?)
I by no means want to get people on a kick about suing TM. But I worked at a job when I was 18. My boss made me and all my co-workers work over time and gave us some kind of excuse as to why we wouldn’t get paid the extra $1.50/hr overtime. So I never even thought to sue. 6 months later I got a check in the mail for $150 from the business. My other co-woker took them to court and we all got our overtime money.
I’m just wondering if there are some legit issues here that need to be taken care of.
Though I’m not sure what the biblical stance is on any of that. It seems only right that if you really had something terrible happen to you and the ministry is not following the biblical terms of restitution. Even in the old testament if you stole something from your neighbor you had to give them back 7 times as much or something.
Does anyone have thoughts on that? Most people probably aren’t doing anything about it because they don’t know they should.
*I am mainly speaking for legit issues. Not trying to cause a riot. And also trying to gain wisdom myself.*
March 22, 2010 10:25 AM
Anonymous said…
At the H.A. I always felt really dumb because I wasn’t good at ‘military tactics.’ It felt like everything was mental games and facilitation. Apologetics, war combat. I didn’t get it. I was really terrible at all that stuff. And I always felt like I was getting a lot of flak because of it.
Funny thing was, I actually went to a military school.
I knew more about the military than most people at the H.A.
They had this weird – Christian/Navy Seal mix that tried to make us a super duper Christino who could do tricks.
If you couldn’t get the tricks down, you were considered a bad seed who needed more ‘training’.
And like Eric said. The military (from what I saw) takes excellent care of their troops when it comes to preparation. The H.A. sends you out at 2am with no explanation, shoots at you than calls you an idiot when you don’t understand why Jesus would do that to you.
-That was not intended to be a bitter statement, if anyone has a counter story, please state it.
March 22, 2010 10:39 AM
Elizabeth said…
@ Shiloh,
I have heard that mentioned a few times now in the blogs & comments about how GI’s or other Interns with a little bit of authority (esp. as facilitators but even not) change into personalities opposite their normal selves. They seem to thrive on opportunities to dominate over and belittle their “lesser” peers/charges. It totally reminds me of that Stanford Prison Experiment http://www.prisonexp.org/
My opinion is that due to the desire to train and raise leaders combined with the authoritarian environment in the ministry, TM is like a petri dish for this type of abuse by peers. If anyone wanted to have a modern day application of this study all they would need do is film ESOAL or other TM Emotionally Stretching events. However, what is different between the 1971 Stanford Study and TM is that the Stanford participants were college students (so perhaps a little older than the average 17-19 Intern) and they all KNEW initially that they could quit the study at any time without reprisal AFTER they left the study. Not so in TM, it seems all the while they say that certain events are “voluntary”, but what isn’t taken into account is TM’s environment of peer pressure and “accountability” AFTER the event. The combination leads to Interns making decisions based on emotional and mental (as well as spiritual growth promises) manipulation as opposed to free will and complete knowledge.
March 22, 2010 11:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Reading this makes me think I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. . . .
Are there any books or types of therapy that anybody recommends to heal from PTSD specifically?
March 22, 2010 11:38 AM
Moriah said…
A treasure hunt/ clue finding challenge course is one thing.
Being “hunted” with no defense and no warning is quite another.
Juvenile. Manipulative. Infuriating. Incredibly irresponsible.
To David Hasz:
I have said this before and I will say it again.
I hope you read this and weep.
Moriah
March 22, 2010 11:43 AM
Eric P. said…
In re the Bible and lawsuits, this article appears pretty good to me.
Also, I’d regret it if my remarks were misunderstood as trying to incite anybody to legal action; you’re the injured parties here, not me. Don’t take legal advice from a musician. Still, long-term emotional damage is absolutely not cool, and I have seen people hauled into court for much less. That’s all I’m saying.
(I do know a couple of Christian lawyers, though. Now I’m curious what their opinions would be…)
March 22, 2010 11:47 AM
Recovering Alumni said…
Eric, Thanks for posting that link. I think this is a difficult situation because Teen Mania has essentially removed themselves from true accountability. They aren’t a church – the only accountability they supposedly have is the Board of Directors. But, its important to note both Ron and Katie are on the board and there are legitimate questions of who has the final say at TM – Ron or the Board? So while we submit our stories to the Board and hope they will bring change, I don’t fault anyone for taking appropriate legal action. Especially if laws are violated and it sounds like that might be the case…labor laws, health and safety laws…
March 22, 2010 12:01 PM
reluctant-intern said…
Amber, I was there with you that night. I remember all of that.
Aside from being assaulted by guys with paint ball rifles, the one thing that happened to my group that bothered me the most was that we lost one of our team members. We were out in the back 40 and there was some obstacle course thing where we had to climb down this dark hole into the ground, one at a time. When we all came out we looked around and one of our group wasn’t there. So we started calling for him and trying to figure out where we could have lost him – we were thinking that he had fallen down a hill and was lying unconscious somewhere and we were FREAKING out. But it was pitch black and we had no way to look for him. So after we called his name for a while we headed back to the cafeteria where we were supposed to meet when it was all over. I don’t remember what exactly happened, but what it came down to was that he had been told by staff that he was a spy (or something like that) and his job was to cause division and confusion in our group, and then at a certain point he had to sneak away and head back to his rendezvous point.
So here we are – terrified that something awful has happened to our friend – when it was all part of the “plan” to begin with.
I think there were a lot of things that night that WERE fun – but there was a lot that was downright dangerous and scary – and completely unnecessary.
March 22, 2010 12:23 PM
TruthInLoveSucksSometimes said…
Also not trying to incite legal action, but so you are not left wondering.
Any contract/agreement becomes null/void when laws are broken. Or when the signor signs or maintains said contract while under duress.
You could sign anything, but if obvious/lawful channels are not set in place to protect your being (mentally,physically, etc)then contracts go out the window.
March 22, 2010 12:24 PM
Anonymous said…
Take. Legal. Action.
March 22, 2010 1:00 PM
Nunquam Honorablus said…
You know, I thought about this a lot today, and through the legalism, the militaristic environment, and the blatant disregard for personal well-being…
I really don’t think that there’s any ulterior motives behind it. They honestly believe that they’re doing this in the name of God.
That hit me today while I was getting lunch, and the thought made me step back and think. They REALLY, TRULY think that this is good and beneficial. They HONESTLY believe that they’re misunderstood, at worst.
And we all COMPLETELY supported it. That breaks my heart.
March 22, 2010 1:08 PM
Micheal McComber said…
I too remember that night. It was crazy. We had to protect the eggs as we went from challenge to challenge getting clues and solving puzzles.( for the egg part still trying to figure out why that was so important to begin with). Either way. My team was at the Jeep eating swamp in the back forty. We have to make it to the middle of the pond to a bucket for the next clue. While wading in the cold, muddy water. We were sitting ducks for the staff to shoot us. Now for the ones that has not played paintball let me explain a few things. When you are shot it stings and you feel it. Now picture you are cold and wet when you get shot. Dear God did it hurt so much. I had burses and whelps that lasted days. During the event I rolled my ankle, and was in extreme pain. I did not stop since i did not want to seem like a whim or like i was not ready for a physical challenge. SO I just dug in and pushed.
As for a team member that was lippy getting shoot extra. So true. We had a team member that seem to love this event and challenge the staff when we were spotted. Just and FYI when its dark and you (the staff) spray a lot of paintball bullets in a group of bushes trying to hit someone that is running their mouth. That does not mean you are going to hit ONLY them. It more likely everyone gets hit. So we had to suffer for the sins of others. ( not really sure of the point they were trying to prove on that one either)
After the end of the night. I was like how does this make me more of a spiritual leader, for that matter closer to God. How does this make me that super elite intern they keep pushing us to be.
My take way was it does not. After being hunted by the staff it was hard to trust them after that. I always felt am I getting setup for something
March 22, 2010 1:47 PM
Philip Estigoy said…
I remember gauntlet month as well. I think I twisted my ankle nearly every single day on that stupid runway. I realized several years ago that my time in the Internship has given me a permanent aversion to running as a form of exercise.
I loved the Night Watch event. I had a lot of fun with it as it reminded me of my early teen years having fun with the rest of the kids in my neighborhood.
That said, the thing that I really did not like about it was that people went into it completely blind. Had it been stated that it was going to be an obstacle/objective course and that there would be paintballs involved in some way, I would have had zero problems with it. It wouldn’t have everything given away, but it would at least have given people a better idea of what to expect.
I should also say that during my year, I felt no pressure from leadership to do this event, but it sounds as if that has changed over time, sadly.
March 22, 2010 1:52 PM
Philip Estigoy said…
Amber,
I should say that probably the most dangerous thing I experienced while at TM was another interns driving. I seem to recall that we were both passengers in her vehicle when she spun out and we did at least two full 360s. Do you remember that?
It has nothing to do with your post, it was just a random memory.
March 22, 2010 2:00 PM
Liz (Engskow) Davila said…
The more I read this blog, the more I know I should share my story. I will in the future, it’s just kinda long …
Since the conversation has shifted to “legal” chatter, I do want to share part of my experience.
At the end of my stint with TM I became involved in what could have escalated to a legal problem. No laws were broken, but let’s just say I really felt like they were on the “verge” of being broken. After encouragement from someone who is still one of my closest friends (who worked with me at TM), I spoke with TM leadership. The leadership I spoke with at TM recognized the sacrifices I made for TM, trusted me and they took my side. That actual situation became the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for me and I left TM, but I was really impressed at the way they came to my defense.
I think that for the most part I was really blessed with the people who I worked for. I have nothing against any of them and I would go work for them (not at TM) in a heartbeat.
March 22, 2010 2:01 PM
Philip Estigoy said…
I think the internet ate one of my posts.
Amber,
Off topic, but do you remember being a passenger in a car when it spun out into multiple 360s on those backroads? I seem to remember that you were there with me.
Fun times.
March 22, 2010 2:17 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Liz – I’m glad you had supportive leadership. I think that to some extent, our experiences are really based on the luck of the draw – who you get as your supervisor(s), CAs, room-mates, etc. has a huge effect on your year. The treatment of interns can vary WIDELY depending on who you are around…
March 22, 2010 2:22 PM
Nunquam Honorablus said…
Amber: this is relevant to your interests.
Taken from Wikipedia…
“Studies performed by those who believe that some religious groups do practice mind control have identified a number of key steps in coercive persuasion:
1.People are put in physically or emotionally distressing situations;
2.Their problems are reduced to one simple explanation, which is repeatedly emphasized;
3.They receive unconditional love, acceptance, and attention from a charismatic leader;
4.They get a new identity based on the group;
5.They are subject to entrapment (isolation from friends, relatives, and the mainstream culture) and their access to information is severely controlled.”
1. lol ESOAL
2. “YOU’RE BITTER”
3. “Please know that I honor you and the sacrifice you made while being an intern; laying down your life, and pouring out your heart to reach a generation. We at Teen Mania are continuing to build on that foundation so that we can reach more people then ever – both young people here and people all around the world with the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.” – last paragraph of Ron Luce’s email to Alumni, regarding RA’s blog
4. Elite Warriors.
5. Secular music?? Noes!!
March 22, 2010 2:48 PM
Anonymous said…
This work book was an excellent resource in my recovery from PTSD. http://www.amazon.ca/Life-After-Trauma-Workbook-Healing/dp/1572302399
The work book showed me how to identify and avoid triggers of my PTSD. I also learned how to use comfort messures to calm myself down when my PTSD was triggered.
In addition to the workbook, I saw a homeopathic doctor who gave me some great homeopathic remedies to take when I experienced PTSD symptoms.
I tried a counselor, but the counselor didn’t know enough to help me with PTSD and instead gave me resources for general anxiety. She was pretty useless. If you think you have PTSD and want to use a counselor, make sure the counselor you seek has experience dealing with PTSD.
For the record, my PTSD was unrelated to my time at TM.
March 22, 2010 2:55 PM
Anonymous said…
RA- Just a thought but when you post stories can you post what year they were interns so that we can clearly show that this stuff is still happening from the beginning and even till today?
thanks
March 22, 2010 3:17 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Hey Anon – Yes, I will do that when possible. Not everyone wants to disclose which year they were there. This alumnus was in the class of August 96-97.
March 22, 2010 3:34 PMZ said…
Besides the possible physical dangers of some of these TM events, I think a lot of harm is done when the events such as the one Amber described are spiritualized. The event you describe, Amber, sounds like it could be fun (for a lot of people anyway). The HA could maybe still keep these kinds of events if they were presented as fun, optional games (though they’d have to look into health and safety issues). I don’t see how there is any ounce of spiritual merit in such a game. It is an abusive mind trick to present a non-spiritual (never mind dangerous) activity as a spiritual event so that participants feel obligated to sign up/participate/stay the course.
Really, does Hasz really, really believe these sorts of activities are spiritually enriching? Boot camp activites are not spiritual in the military and don’t become inherently spiritual just because they are preformed on Teen Mania soil. I’m not even an elite warrior Christian (just a run of the mill saved-by-grace Christian) and I realise that much.
I don’t even believe military type activities make for a better leader. Rumour has it DH has a military background and look at the kind of leader he turned out to be!
Amber, I’m really, really sorry you went through something so pointlessly traumatizing. Thanks for sharing your story. 🙂March 22, 2010 3:39 PMAmber said…
@ Philip Estigoy, Sorry Amber is a psuedonym. I was in your class but not in that car. Although it is true that driving was a major hazard during our year. How many accidents were there our year? 4/5: Micheal, Leondro, PJ, Rob, Jaime….
I remember they even brought in a state trooper to give us a refresher “driving lesson”. I wonder if they invited him or the state insisted as so many accidents within a short time period were attributed to participants in that ministry?
March 22, 2010 3:45 PM
z said…
I’ve been wondering why Teen Mania doesn’t protect themselves better against possible legal action. Most big organizations have the sense to take certian precautions to avoid possible law suits. Teen Mania, on the other hand, seems to leave itself wide open for legal action. I’m sure it is only a matter of time before someone comes forward and sues them for soemthing. I can’t say I would enjoy seeing TM sued, but I wouldn’t blame someone for going after TM either.
I’m just baffled that the organization doesn’t protect itself better. Are a lot of the staff young and inexperienced? Is that why no one thinks to avoid some of these potentials for lawsuits? Anyone have any insight/thoughts on this?
March 22, 2010 3:51 PM
Amber said…
@ Philip Estigoy, Sorry Amber is a psuedonym. I was in your class but not in that car. Although it is true that driving was a major hazard during our year. How many accidents were there our year? 4/5: Micheal, Leondro, PJ, Rob, Jaime….
I remember they even brought in a state trooper to give us a refresher “driving lesson”. I wonder if they invited him or the state insisted as so many accidents within a short time period were attributed to participants in that ministry?
March 22, 2010 3:56 PM
Elizabeth said…
If TM isn’t even willing to acknowledge to us – their own Alumni that there are legitimate problems and hurts caused by the HA what makes us think they would announce, “Hey we are being sued”? And in 20+ years whats to say they haven’t been sued but kept the matter quiet and perhaps settled out of court and or had confidentiality clauses signed? Unlike public media for a non-profit bad news is bad publicity. Besides if they won’t even Investigate the testimonies on this blog but are only “looking into” claims submitted to the board whats to say they wouldn’t just sweep law suites under the rug.
March 22, 2010 4:22 PM
Elizabeth said…
I have also wondered why they don’t even work to avoid the appearance of evil, impropriety, or ignorance in matters pertaining to Interns/non-staff & GE missionaries.
March 22, 2010 4:26 PM
Elizabeth said…
@Shiloh,
This thought just struck me, “Just because TM is a lie doesn’t mean God is a lie.”
Its good not to confuse the two.
March 22, 2010 4:32 PM
Anonymous said…
Teen Mania has been sued before. I do not know if they won or lost, but I know that they got terribly trigger happy about dismissing people for a while during my year 2007, and I heard it was because of the lawsuit.
March 22, 2010 5:18 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Wow, really? Does anyone have any more info on lawsuits? Is there a way to find that out in public records or something?
March 22, 2010 6:36 PM
TruthInLoveSucksSometimes said…
You can find out through the County Clerk of Courts. Although lawsuits are usually filed in the plaintiff’s county. So if the plaintiff was from out of state, you would have to know from where.
March 22, 2010 7:49 PM
Philip Estigoy said…
It would be incredibly rare if an organization as large as Teen Mania had not been sued at some point in time.
I know of at least one compensatory lawsuit against TM in years past.
I think you may be looking for more of punitive suits, and I haven’t heard anything about any of that nature.
March 22, 2010 8:46 PM
Anonymous said…
A girl in my youth group broke her arm during her summer trip, and her mom was either suing or on the verge. She felt that the situation had not been handled appropriately when it happened. The kid, of course, had a great time. I heard Ron was handling it personally. This was back in the dark ages.
March 22, 2010 10:19 PM
Anonymous said…
Also, I have been reading through the blog and have not come across anyone mentioning the intern who was killed in a car accident a year or two after my year. I understood at the time that it was because someone fell asleep at the wheel coming back from an event or something. I suppose that I assumed after this tragedy the sleep deprivation routines and safety issues would be better managed. However, the stories here contradict that theory.
I always wondered how the interns at that time coped. I have always been very disturbed by that situation. Does anyone have any insight into this?
March 22, 2010 10:24 PM
reluctant-intern said…
Anon, I don’t know what situation you are referring to since I don’t know what year you were there, but if you’re referring to Jamie Thomas who was a Jan. 97 intern like myself, it was mechanical errors. Nobody fell asleep. It happened locally, late evening. I believe the steering wheel or brakes locked up and they couldn’t avoid going straight into oncoming traffic. At least that’s what we were told.
How did we cope? Well, I will say that TM handled it well from what I could tell. They gave everyone a few days off of work to allow everyone time to process – I think they set up calming activities like gardening and stuff that people could do. It was hard – really hard. To be honest, I don’t remember a lot of the details of what happened at that time. I was SO upset when it happened. It was a rough time for all of us (those who knew her and those who didn’t).
I was actually not on campus when it happened so my experience was quite a bit different from everyone elses. I was at an ATF and they told us the last night after the ATF was over. Oh it was awful. She was a wonderful girl.
March 22, 2010 10:44 PM
Anonymous said…
Dear Reluctant-intern,
Thanks for clarifying this. I hate to think what terrible rumors I was starting inadvertently. This was the situation I was referring to, and I’m sorry to have gotten it all wrong. I am so sorry for your loss and those in your intern year.
And, I am glad TM handled that one well.
March 22, 2010 11:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Yes, the accident Jamie Thomas was in was a freak accident. Could not have been avoided and was not due to driver error…so sad.
March 22, 2010 11:20 PM
Shannon Kish said…
There were a few of those car accidents. Rachel Barlow was a intern in 2004 who died on her way home to visit her family. http://www.rachaelbarlow.com/
March 23, 2010 8:41 AM
Anonymous said…
I’d remind everyone that the stated purpose of this blog is about healing, not revenge. Please keep that in mind.
What steps could Teen Mania take that would help bring resolution and healing to some people here? What would you like to see?
March 23, 2010 3:40 PM
Recovering Alumni said…
Hey Anon – I’ll take care of the moderating here. While yours is a good question, the fact that people haven’t addressed it yet doesn’t mean healing is not taking place. (Not sure if that is what you are implying, but it could easily be taken that way.) Further, I don’t see any revenge going on here. Please leave the moderating to me. Thanks.
March 23, 2010 3:47 PM