I Graduated From "Brat Camp"

I was no different than other teenagers as I followed my path of destruction. But, I had the added pressures of having switched schools more times than average - three times throughout elementary, twice in middle school and twice in high school. Because of all that moving around, I never really had the chance to make any true friends, so I always felt like an outcast, and like the only way I could get attention was to act out.

Also, due to government testing, I was identified as a child prodigy, and placed in the G.A.T.E. program (Gifted and Talented Education), so people always expected more of me than I felt responsible for giving.

The behavior problems that got me sent to SageWalk were primarily broken down to disrespect for two things: the law and my parents, whom I never listened to. I got in trouble for drug use, selling of illegal substances and driving without license or insurance in the car, which I stole from my dad's house.

My parents tried punishing me, talking to me, sending me to psychologists and counselors, and eventually they made threats such as, "You won't ever have our help again," or, "See if I ever pay for anything of yours."

Of course, these punishments and threats didn't stop me from being a troublemaker. It wasn't that I was attempting to persist in doing anything wrong; I just really didn't care anymore; I felt like life was just empty, meaningless and worthless. Since I couldn't bring myself to commit suicide, I just continued on living like an empty shell, doing whatever I wanted, regardless of consequences it caused to myself or others. Of course, being shuttled off to the wilderness of Oregon for an extended stay was one of the consequences of my actions.