Amelia's Story
[vc_row heading_color=”” section_type=”fullwidth-background” flex_height=”” section_full_height=”no” bg_type=”” bg_image_type=”” pattern_overlay=”” color_overlay=”” opacity_overlay=”10″ header_feature=”” footer_feature=”” desktop_visibility=”” tablet_visibility=”” tablet_sm_visibility=”” mobile_visibility=””][vc_column width=”1/2″ desktop_hide=”” tablet_width=”” tablet_sm_width=”” mobile_width=””][vc_column_text animation_delay=”200″]Amelia came to Trails struggling with chronic lying and defiant behavior at home. She was managing to do okay in school – but as her workload increased, she had more difficulty paying attention in class and completing assignments.
The biggest concern was the outbursts– yelling and raging at home. She had become verbally abusive towards our family. Then, at the beginning of summer, she shoplifted a shirt at Target and got caught. The most concerning part of this was that she boldly lied straight to the face of the security officer and then to the police officer. She also took no responsibility at home. She needed do learn to cope better personally, socially and academically.
We knew we needed to help her make a change. That’s when we found Trails. We are eternally grateful and so thankful we did.
While at Trails Amelia:
1) Learned how to manage qualities that put her at risk.
2) Gained a better understanding of who she is and what she wants to represent/achieve.
3) Discovered what motivates her.
4) Acquired the skills needed to control her impulsive behavior.
5) Understood how to appropriately “filter” her words.
6) Learned more healthy ways to manage and control her emotions.
7) Learned how and why it is important to delay gratification.
8) Developed an understanding why being trustworthy & having integrity is important.
Amelia worked through underlying contributors on her inability to initiate. We all focused on family discord and unresolved past conflicts with family.
Amelia gained an awareness of how important healthier boundaries with family and friends will contribute to her well-being. Amelia was able to process how all these stressors were creating anxiety, inner turmoil and contributing to out-of-control behaviors at home. Amelia learned coping strategies through assertive communication to resolve conflict and set appropriate boundaries.
- Written by Steve, dad of Amelia
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ desktop_hide=”” tablet_width=”” tablet_sm_width=”” mobile_width=””][vc_column_text animation_delay=”200″]“This time exactly a year ago I was in a car headed to Wilderness. A lot of you ask why I talk about wilderness so much, and why I act so proud of it. And the answer…it’s because I am proud of it.
Not the fact that I actually got sent, but because a year afterwards, I can look back and say that I conquered who I was becoming and became the person I was created to be. I can look back and say ‘you did good Amelia.’
I can look back and be proud of how far I’ve come. I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t understand this, because many of you don’t and probably never will. Wilderness is something that you can never truly explain or describe, you can’t understand it unless you go.
It’s a true blessing in disguise, so for all of you who judge me for going, judge away. Because, guess what…I don’t care what you think.
I am beyond proud of who I am and what happened a year ago. Wilderness has been the best thing that has happened to me. I will never be able to explain the true blessing that this was, or what went on while I was there, but know that it brings me no shame.
Yes, I went to wilderness, and yes, I am beyond proud. I made friendships that are unbreakable, and I spent 68 days in the woods, and that is something to be proud of. SO now, a year after being sent I am completely content with where I’m at and I want to thank everyone who had something to do with my experience.
Trails Carolina was my home for 68 days, and I’ll never forget it, or the people that I met while going through it. I love you all so much.”
– Written by Amelia, former Trails student[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]