clamicide
Gold Meritorious Patron
OK....I've been ruminating on this a bit lately...what is my true purpose, blah..blah...blah. I've been thinking I need to get a counseling degree, simply because I would love to do pro bono for folks escaping from the cult. But, I'm just better with groups...that's where my talents lie, so I was thinking....how can I take my experiences and turn them into something positive? Some people come out OK, but others really need help. And, unfortunately, people coming out of cults often exhibit symptoms that mimic other psychiatric illnesses, so they can get misdiagnosed, mismedicated, and improperly treated. I've always said I'd like to sue the cult, and take the money and start a non profit (I'm typing in the dark and can't find the dash key). With all the support others have given me, I'm starting to think it might be possible to start this foundation just on the backs of exes who want to do something. These are some of the things I picture....
Basic life skills training.....for instance, teaching guys who have been in the SO simple things like how to use a checking account. Stuff we take for granted, but might overwhelm somebody who has been in SO life since he was a pup.
Housing. Might just be a network of cool people who have couches. Letting it be known that if you blow, you will not be sleeping on the street.
Counseling. This would take time to set up, but it would also include a donation/foundation where if someone decides to become a counselor specializing in dealing with ex-culties and can't afford the schooling, we would provide tuition assistance. Setting up cheap or pro-bono counseling for those who escape with no means, but are suffering from PTSD, etc. Those who were educated using funds from the foundation would be expected to "pay back" by doing pro bono work when they can.
I'm just thinking...and perhaps I just made the target on my back a bit bigger for OSA.... I'm not in the position to do this, yet. That's why I haven't brought it up in this way. But, wtf? eh? Anyone wanna brainstorm and help bring this thing to fruition?
Basic life skills training.....for instance, teaching guys who have been in the SO simple things like how to use a checking account. Stuff we take for granted, but might overwhelm somebody who has been in SO life since he was a pup.
Housing. Might just be a network of cool people who have couches. Letting it be known that if you blow, you will not be sleeping on the street.
Counseling. This would take time to set up, but it would also include a donation/foundation where if someone decides to become a counselor specializing in dealing with ex-culties and can't afford the schooling, we would provide tuition assistance. Setting up cheap or pro-bono counseling for those who escape with no means, but are suffering from PTSD, etc. Those who were educated using funds from the foundation would be expected to "pay back" by doing pro bono work when they can.
I'm just thinking...and perhaps I just made the target on my back a bit bigger for OSA.... I'm not in the position to do this, yet. That's why I haven't brought it up in this way. But, wtf? eh? Anyone wanna brainstorm and help bring this thing to fruition?