survivors to be an extremely abusive program. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. They emotionally and mentally compromise kids for fun. But, the couple was later outspoken on social media about the extent to which they were helped by the Raney family. It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. They left me more broken than they found me. , Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. Duane and his son, Chad Ollinger, are trying to finish a goal set by Duane's own father. May their souls rest in peace. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. . Listen to your child, what do they think they need? Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. Discovery Ranch a Utah corporation doing business as Discovery Ranch, Discovery Connections Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorneys Kathryn J. Steffey Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Clayton H. Preece Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Court Documents if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. With the help of a REAL rehab and AA, I had achieved 14 months sober. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. The kids come out shell shocked, traumatized and fearful. , As a father I was treated poorly. My brother was at the Ranch over a decade ago. , There are plenty of articles that prove why Discovery Ranch is dangerous for the mental development of children. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in 6th District Court on behalf of Brenda Woolsey, claims Clay Brewer, then 17, should have never been at Turn-About Ranch on Dec. 6, 2016, when he woke up "feeling. Basically non-existent education. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. He will receive consistent feedback. They have the same goals in mind. We Have Helped Struggling Teens To Learn The Skills They Needed To Heal, Thrive, And Reunite With Their Families. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. Even though I have left the program, if I dont follow their horribly rigorous and reclusive aftercare rules I go back. Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. Grand Ledge Courts. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. Are they just being a teenager? Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. He reportedly began working in the TTI because his brothers have worked at various other treatment centers. I wish I could give negitive stars! She currently works as the Residential Director at Redcliff Ascent, another Ascent Company program. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. The last few years of my life have felt unreal, Ive had migraines with frustration wondering how places like this exist, and how theyve gotten away with so much deceit. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. Your child will be put in with kids that are older than their age group, that were in gangs, that are addicted to drugs, etc. As part of the therapeutic learning process, all boys participate in weekly ropes activities that build character and help develop lifelong skills. Are they just being a teenager? Brent Hall is reported by survivors to have run the facility. I have maintained very close friendships with a handful of other patients that were there during my time (for a wide range of different reasons) and we even make it appoint to see each other each year. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. Staff care about one another and take a genuine interest in the girls. Until now I had remembered my experience there as a happy one- I literally only remembered what went on during the day. The location grew in popularity after rumors swirled that the land . June 27, 2022; how to get infinite lingots in duolingo; chegg payment options; discovery ranch lawsuit . I am at a loss for what to do at this point. , family visits, and Parent Day Seminars. We will not share your information. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. discovery ranch lawsuit. Throughout your sons experience at Discovery Ranch he will have the support of caring, educated. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. When the program opened, it housed both boys and girls on the same campus, but kept them completely seperate in different parts of the campus. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. The ranch horse manager Jerry put a phone in my face showing horses having sex. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as, member since 2005. Im happy to say that she is leading a normal life and leaving DR was the best thing that happened. , I try to think positively about it but honestly this shithole gave me PTSD. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY, INC., Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant, v. CHELSEA FILER, Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. And it wasn't just because he was suddenly a millionaire . I was 15 years old. ages 13-18. Discovery Ranch is accredited by the, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), , but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAAS as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. Also a staff there named Matt polson threatened to restrain me several times. Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based residential treatment center for boys ages 13-18. Seek other avenues for your child. , This is the worst place to send your child. My personal experience here was horrible. They often cause way more harm than good. Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. When the program opened, it housed both boys and girls on the same campus, but kept them completely seperate in different parts of the campus. Now, other past guests on the show are coming forward with similar stories, including . They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. I stopped feeling emotions and didnt for two years. . The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. Even when I started feeling feelings again I realized on Wednesday that I had been experiencing emotions with maybe 50-75% of the intensity that I normally should, which was put into perspective when I finally accepted that these things truly happened to me and felt for the first time in my life the appropriate pain and humiliation that corresponds to being treated in such a way for such an extended period of time. The website is misleading. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there. He will have opportunities for growth through our experiential campus, by developing new skills and interests. Until now I had remembered my experience there as a happy one- I literally only remembered what went on during the day. agolden@skyhinews.com. If you are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. Id go on to say I have PTSD. I felt meaningless, worthless, like a pawn used to control my dads emotions, fishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. Is 'Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch' Fake or Scripted? What We Know If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. What Is Discovery in a Lawsuit? - FindLaw I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. (Yelp), 11/10/2013: (SURVIVOR) Link to Anonymous Survivor Testimony, 10/13/2013: (SURVIVOR) I attended Discovery Ranch 5 years ago when I was 15 years old. I had repressed memories of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture i endured for five years until I watched a documentary on the stanford prison experiment in my psychology class. Discovery Ranch for Girls Reviews - Glassdoor They have the same goals in mind. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy, Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. I literally cant live with these memories. Diamond Ranch Acad., Inc. v. Filer - Casetext We were victims of abuse. Proof is attached as an image. This is not just a couple of resentful people. He can participate in various sports teams, such as basketball, flag football, wrestling, and cross-country running. When I came back to real life I had forgotten how to smile and had to train myself to make facial expressions that corresponded to the emotions I should have felt in various circumstances. This is not just a couple of resentful people. There thieves taking advantage of parents dispositions and they should be shut down , After my daughter was here for here for 2 months her condition worsened and she started having suicidal thoughts which had never happened before.When I met with her Dr. (Check glassdoor reviews) In return, we have lots of untrained, unequipped young adults who arent prepared to deal with seriously mentally ill children. discovery ranch lawsuit - kestonrocks.com I still maintain close relationships with both girls and boys who are around my age (23-27) that have gone through exactly what you are going through now; so whether its easier to talk to a guy or girl or someone with a similar case to yours, I can put you in contact with them if youd like (Free of charge too! I had been raped when i was 12 and was unable to tell my male therapist or parents about this happening because my family is very Catholic. Like other behavior-modification programs, Discovery Ranch utilizes a level system based around a merit/demerit structure. May their souls rest in peace. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. Although there are no support groups for people like us and since the program is so small & were from all over the country, it feels and looks very real that you may be alone, YOU ARE NOT. I have maintained very close friendships with a handful of other patients that were there during my time (for a wide range of different reasons) and we even make it appoint to see each other each year. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. The reason for posting this is that this is cathartic for me and nice to have a group of people who have at least a basic DISCOVERY RANCH - 20 Photos & 27 Reviews - Yelp This is not just a couple of resentful people. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. In addition, survivors have reported that on the off-chance that they. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. The representative will help connect you with resources that can help your family--even if that help is not from us. He began his career working in Admissions at Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. Please. A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. ORDER AND MEMORANDUM DECISION. It does not represent any obligation. It wasnt until he left the program that people even found out about this happening!! His step-father (my Dad) told me not to discuss it around him. I can still hear the screams of kids being restrained and having their arms pinned behind them and blood flow cut off because they didnt follow simple orders. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). I thought I was actually crazy, but it was all real. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. In comparison, most of the other residents had serious drug problems, were in gangs, were extremely violent, etc. These programs are money makers. THATS WHEN YOU KNOW THE PLACE IS TERRIBLE. Davinci (Google Reviews), 2018: (SURVIVOR) Beware the evil behind their smiling eyes! Your son will experience the value of hard work through daily chores and responsibilities. Your Call is Confidential. However, the abuse overshadowed it. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. 0. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. You can find much better treatment for a better price. Discovery Ranch is the Top Residential Treatment Center for Troubled Teen Boys 1318, Located in Utah. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, 9/20/2020: (SURVIVOR) Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. You have been warned and I still have ptsd and Ive been going to therapy for 2 and a half years and more to come. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. 25 votes, 28 comments. Throughout your sons experience at Discovery Ranch he will have the support of caring, educated, experienced professionals. If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. If you are like most parents of Discovery Ranch students, you have been looking for help for a long time. However, the abuse overshadowed it. Who Owns Blind Frog Ranch? All About the Tourist Attraction Your family is struggling. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. He will be expected to maintain a healthy lifestyle which includes daily exercise and well-balanced meals. In other words, do not trust them. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. No one deserves what they really do to people. The Famous Blind Frog Ranch: A Private Ranch In Montana That Is Home To He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. There is overmedicating (including putting kids to sleep for doing nothing wrong. Its heart wrenching to see how many families were deeply financially destroyed as well as personal connections being permanently damaged. In fact, the administration at discovery ranch intentionally delayed my high school graduation by refuting me the right to do my classes in order to keep me there longer. DR also advertises their calf program heavily, where each new resident is given a baby calf to care for and raise. A court has maintained a number of claims the Granby Ranch Metropolitan District has made in a lawsuit against the owners of Granby Ranch. You are a survivor of an abusive environment that is very similar to a prison. Blind Frog Ranch 2022 lawsuit update In season 2, we see someone come onto the ranch and serve the gang some sort of paper. Last year, Granby Ranch Metropolitan District, a homeowner-controlled metro district, filed suit against the group of entities associated with the Granby Ranch development. Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. Lawsuit Attorney For Grand Ledge - Michigan Lawsuit Attorneys And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. You have tried outpatient therapy. worked as a Therapist at Discovery Ranch. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. When you fail thats on you, dont punish your kids for your actions. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. We were victims of abuse. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. It is reported that they are only allowed to communicate with their parents through heavily censored and monitored letters, as well as a once-monthly phone call, which is also monitored by staff. Formal Discovery: Gathering Evidence for Your Lawsuit | Nolo I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. In comparison, most of the other residents had serious drug problems, were in gangs, were extremely violent, etc. Parents wont know or understand the gravity of impact this experience has had until after you get out and have openly talked about it, and although its very hard not to blame or take your anger out on them, you have to realize they made their decision out of love and ignorance. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. They later sued the show, saying . We support & vent to each other about how difficult and lonely it was for us to get back to normal life after we left, how it shaped us into the adults we are today, and what steps we took to try and heal from this horrible experience. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. Staff unresponsive, administration unresponsive and kept to company line to detriment of my son. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. Happened several times to my friends. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. , This place is horrible. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. (Check glassdoor reviews) In return, we have lots of untrained, unequipped young adults who arent prepared to deal with seriously mentally ill children. We support & vent to each other about how difficult and lonely it was for us to get back to normal life after we left, how it shaped us into the adults we are today, and what steps we took to try and heal from this horrible experience. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. This merit system was easy for some kids to abuse, in one circumstance during my stay, a child was repeatedly raped, and was threatened with the merit system to get him to keep quiet. Staff parents "were expected to replicate a. For a year I was put down and felt stupid and inadequate and my opinion didnt matter and if I decided to express it I would be put on some protocol that restricted me from doing anything but sitting at a fucking desk and staring at the god damn wall. behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. I have constant dreams where bugs are crawling all over my skin and I wake up screaming from anxiety. Mysterious intruders throw a spanner into the works at Blind Frog Ranch Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. William (Google Reviews), 6/1/2020: (SURVIVOR) Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. On top of that I was forced to study 7 hours straight on the weekends if I didnt meet academic requirements. He previously worked at the confirmedly abusive Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) If you have a child with attention deficit disorder do not send your son here BECAUSE it is like water boarding to have a kid sit in a room for 7 hours straight and have them study all day even though they are trying. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. I was a student and am a survivor of Discovery Ranch, Utah. AMA! There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. The ranch has the best of both worlds: a small-town atmosphere with access to world-class skiing, outdoor activities, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and close to two major universities and hospitals. It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program. Teenagers at Discovery Ranch have extremely limited contact with the outside world. Discovery Ranch only wants to know and talk about their truth which is nothing close to reality. This merit system was easy for some kids to abuse, in one circumstance during my stay, a child was repeatedly raped, and was threatened with the merit system to get him to keep quiet. He also worked for a time as the Director of NATSAP. Not only were surveillance cameras found pointing at their worksite, but military helicopters have flown over the Utah land and spy drones have been seen, too. Once a lawsuit gets underway, parties to the lawsuit or their lawyers start gathering information related to the lawsuit. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left.