Meg Appelgate

You would see this group of staff come running in and they would throw the kid to the floor on their face and have a staff member holding each of their arms and legs down and a staff with their knee lodged in between their shoulder blades. Then another staff member would come by, pull the kid's pants down and give them some shot of a tranquilizer or another sedative to make them pass out.

You would see this group of staff come running in and they would throw the kid to the floor on their face and have a staff member holding each of their arms and legs down and a staff with their knee lodged in between their shoulder blades. Then another staff member would come by, pull the kid's pants down and give them some shot of a tranquilizer or another sedative to make them pass out.

Then they'd carry them off to a room to lock them up until they woke up.

Then they'd carry them off to a room to lock them up until they woke up.

Then they'd carry them off to a room to lock them up until they woke up.

Yeah, you're completely right. And as if that wasn't enough, there are disturbing reports of sexual assault and harassments of all kinds. I myself experienced extremely inappropriate relationship dynamics with my therapist while there. The male therapist used to have wrestling matches with all of the girls and even had us sit on his lap.

Yeah, you're completely right. And as if that wasn't enough, there are disturbing reports of sexual assault and harassments of all kinds. I myself experienced extremely inappropriate relationship dynamics with my therapist while there. The male therapist used to have wrestling matches with all of the girls and even had us sit on his lap.

Yeah, you're completely right. And as if that wasn't enough, there are disturbing reports of sexual assault and harassments of all kinds. I myself experienced extremely inappropriate relationship dynamics with my therapist while there. The male therapist used to have wrestling matches with all of the girls and even had us sit on his lap.

The kids can't report the abuse because they have severe restrictions on communication with parents, lawyers, and other advocates. If a staff member tries to report it internally, they often get punished. These programs make kids live under their total authority, stripping away their autonomy for months to years. These kids are victims of institutional abuse.

The kids can't report the abuse because they have severe restrictions on communication with parents, lawyers, and other advocates. If a staff member tries to report it internally, they often get punished. These programs make kids live under their total authority, stripping away their autonomy for months to years. These kids are victims of institutional abuse.

The kids can't report the abuse because they have severe restrictions on communication with parents, lawyers, and other advocates. If a staff member tries to report it internally, they often get punished. These programs make kids live under their total authority, stripping away their autonomy for months to years. These kids are victims of institutional abuse.

The longer they stay in these places, the more likely they are to experience this abuse. This is especially true for kids with developmental disabilities who find themselves in these programs at an alarming rate. These kids are more likely to be abused, less likely to report the abuse, more likely to experience trauma-related symptoms, and less likely to be able to heal from the harm.

The longer they stay in these places, the more likely they are to experience this abuse. This is especially true for kids with developmental disabilities who find themselves in these programs at an alarming rate. These kids are more likely to be abused, less likely to report the abuse, more likely to experience trauma-related symptoms, and less likely to be able to heal from the harm.

The longer they stay in these places, the more likely they are to experience this abuse. This is especially true for kids with developmental disabilities who find themselves in these programs at an alarming rate. These kids are more likely to be abused, less likely to report the abuse, more likely to experience trauma-related symptoms, and less likely to be able to heal from the harm.

And that's just scratching the surface. We also hear many reports of physical and nutritional neglect, think food and sleep deprivation and restricted access to medical care. There is also medical abuse, including forced medication and overmedication. I myself remember being put on meds that had me drooling like a St. Bernard and made me gain 60 pounds in six months.

And that's just scratching the surface. We also hear many reports of physical and nutritional neglect, think food and sleep deprivation and restricted access to medical care. There is also medical abuse, including forced medication and overmedication. I myself remember being put on meds that had me drooling like a St. Bernard and made me gain 60 pounds in six months.

And that's just scratching the surface. We also hear many reports of physical and nutritional neglect, think food and sleep deprivation and restricted access to medical care. There is also medical abuse, including forced medication and overmedication. I myself remember being put on meds that had me drooling like a St. Bernard and made me gain 60 pounds in six months.

Pretty much. They decided I had bipolar disorder after two days of being there. Turns out, I don't have it at all.

Pretty much. They decided I had bipolar disorder after two days of being there. Turns out, I don't have it at all.

Pretty much. They decided I had bipolar disorder after two days of being there. Turns out, I don't have it at all.