Ed’s Story

Dear Sir/Madam,

Recently we received a form from you asking us to evaluate the effectiveness of your organization for our youngest son, Ed*, who recently completed your program. I placed the form aside because I wanted to include a letter which could more fully express our gratitude and appreciation for what your representative T.R. has done for Ed and our family. T.R. is a remarkable young woman who has done wonders transforming our son Ed into a rapidly maturing young man who now looks forward to establishing goals and future prospects for himself. We were frustrated as parents trying to improve Ed’s self-esteem and overcoming his shyness.

Since about age 14, Ed has suffered severely from an incurable disorder called tinnitus (“Ringing in the ears”) for which we sought medical treatment and psychological counseling to no avail. Ed was in the gifted program as a 10th grader when he experienced difficulties with school administrators and teachers as he was attempting to cope with tinnitus and frequent migraine headaches. School administrators were unsympathetic and responded with punishment and attempts to have Ed send to a school for the mentally and psychologically handicapped. When Ed became uncooperative and threatening, he was suspended and refused to return to school, dropping out at the age of 15. He received his GED shortly thereafter but for a year rarely left our home and spent most of his time playing Everquest and other computer games and seeking solace and friendship in chatrooms. He was very depressed and the psychiatric and psychological counseling was not working. We were at wit’s end when the assistance we sought from our local County Youth Services referred us to your program.

When T.R. first began working with Ed, we had our first inkling that our prayers for Ed had been answered. T.R. improved Ed’s attitude, self-esteem and outlook dramatically within a month or two. His depression slowly lifted. He began looking forward to his outings with T.R. and she encouraged him to seek outings, goals and opportunities of his own. Ed enrolled for courses at the Community College, began to practice yoga and meditation. Ed also began to exercise regularly. Instead of playing the game often called “Evercrack” because it seems addictive, Ed sought to improve his knowledge and education in a variety of subjects by searching subjects of interest on the Internet. T.R.’s influence on these changes was significant beyond our best hopes. Whenever Ed faltered or was somehow deterred from these positive changes, T.R. succeeded, where his parents, other counselors, etc., failed, setting him back on course.

Ed used to say his life was over and he did not want to go on, especially when his tinnitus flared up. T.R.’s influence improved his coping skills dramatically. He looks forward to each day now. He has completed three community college courses (all A’s) and is taking three more this term (and is on track for three more A’s). Instead of withdrawing from the world, he is embracing new challenges with confidence. I wish we could take credit for Ed’s transformation, but it is T.R.’s hand which has touched Ed’s heart and spirit. Our prayers have been answered. T.R. would not allow Ed to give her a gift to show his appreciation, which we are sure is probably because of your guidelines for her conduct. Ed understood. However, we wish she could have observed the pure joy Ed demonstrated when he found a gift for her! T.R. should know that she made a difference!

We cannot find the form you sent us. If we fail to locate and return the form, please send us another; we would be glad to fill it out. We would welcome any opportunity to praise your program and your representative T.R. We hope you will provide a copy of this letter to T.R. and place it in her personnel file. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Sincerely,
Ed’s Parents

*Names changed for reasons of privacy and confidentiality