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from Rev. Tasty Corpse 666 Monday, September 18, 2006 - 00:29 (Agree/Disagree?) You know, you do not need to have a GED to gain admission into a college. They have special admission at most colleges that do not require so much as a diploma or GED. You should look into that, I know there is a community college near my area that has such special admission policies. -- The Reverend Brian (reply to this comment)

from jade04 Tuesday, September 05, 2006 - 06:00 (Agree/Disagree?) i can help you. i own a home and have a small family (self, husband and daughter) in NORTH CAROLINA. if you are interested, you can live here RENT FREE and there are many local universities or community colleges to assist with obtaining GED or further education. get in touch with me bbgrl96@yahoo.com. take care. (reply to this comment)

From Fish Tuesday, September 05, 2006, 16:25 (Agree/Disagree?) Hey, I'm on my way! Pick me up at Charlotte airport, 8:00pm, tomorrow night!(reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Wednesday, September 06, 2006, 02:46 (Agree/Disagree?) Fish, you just don't give up do you?(reply to this comment)

From Ne Oublie Wednesday, September 06, 2006, 03:16 (Agree/Disagree?) In this case Fish raises - intentionally or not - a valid point. This is "jade04"s first and only post, so apart from a Yahoo email address we really have no 'identification'. Given the recent experiences of some site users, I think that a degree of caution is entirely in order - particularly given the scale of what is being offered.(reply to this comment)

from Tilly Friday, July 14, 2006 - 17:28 (Agree/Disagree?) I feel for you.. I can imagine how tought it is esp now that you are coming out soo late. there are various ways of getting help. try contacting some anti-cult organizations that are out there esp in the US there are are plenty. Tell them about your position and your needs and you'll find alot of support. good luck and God bless. (reply to this comment)

from Christy Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 14:12 (Agree/Disagree?) Just a suggestion, why don't you try getting in touch with some foundations that cater to people with disabilities. They should be able to help you find employment so that you could rent a room. Then, as many suggested, you could start out at a community college. You may even find that you don't need as much remedial work as you expected. And, even if you do need some remedial work, it's cheap, and there's a lot of support in that environment. Most importantly, try to get your GED before you even leave TF. You can pass with a sixth grade education. Many of us did that, and it helps you to hit the ground running. You DON'T need a year to prepare for the GED! You can check out books at the local library to help you study. Also, you can take free practice tests at the YMCA. That way, you'll get an idea of what you need to focus on. (reply to this comment)

from sarafina Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 10:21 (Agree/Disagree?) Hi Madacl I sent you a email the other day about your post just wondering if you got it? (reply to this comment)

from Rain Child Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 14:47 (Agree/Disagree?) Which country are you in? (reply to this comment)

From Madacl Saturday, June 10, 2006, 21:42 (Agree/Disagree?) Taiwan(reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Saturday, June 10, 2006, 22:27 (Agree/Disagree?) I just thought perhaps you were the young deaf man I've been corresponding with in India. In his case, being Indian national, I haven't advised him to leave The Family because it would be so much harder for him if he had to make his own way in India on his own. My thoughts are with you, I really hope you find somewhere in The States you can get to. Have you any relatives apart from your dad, and does anyone know what the government over there can do for people like this?(reply to this comment)

From Madacl Sunday, June 11, 2006, 03:43 (Agree/Disagree?) well, I'm American and Australian citizens. my dad wouldn't support me for a place execpt my education. Other relatives wouldn't probably give me a place, bcoz they had never met or seen me before. I grew up in Asia and never been in the States before. That's why. (reply to this comment)

From SeanSwede Sunday, July 02, 2006, 11:12 (Agree/Disagree?) Have you tried to contact your relatives in the States? If not, then don`t be afraid to just give it a shot. I`m sure they can help you work something out. :)(reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Sunday, June 11, 2006, 05:40 (Agree/Disagree?) If you are an Australian citizen I would highly recommend trying Australia as the social system is very good here. Try and get to an Australian consulate or embassy, tell them your story and ask for help. There is help here for people who need housing, and there is a very good social benefits scheme and healthcare. You'd be fine in Australia. Have you got any relatives in Australia?(reply to this comment)

From Madacl Sunday, June 11, 2006, 07:43 (Agree/Disagree?) I grew up in Australia. I know any kind of benefits in Australia’s Centrelink for individuals, but it is small limited payment for disability people. The reason is why I choose the States. It has deaf university but Australia hasn’t one. US disability benefits are better than Australia. My relatives are in Texas where they could support my education as I’m in the States. (reply to this comment)

From gragon Monday, June 12, 2006, 07:09 (Agree/Disagree?) What city in Texas are your relatives located?(reply to this comment)

From Madacl Thursday, June 15, 2006, 00:47 (Agree/Disagree?) Austin(reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Sunday, June 11, 2006, 19:47 (Agree/Disagree?) Oh, that's great. I wasn't aware of that.(reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Monday, June 12, 2006, 04:09 (Agree/Disagree?) I did a little looking just out of curiosity to see what our country does offer for young deaf students. Here are a couple links for your perusal. http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/qual_how_dsp.htm http://www.latrobe.edu.au/equity/das.htm http://online.nmit.vic.edu.au/deafonline/links.htm Just wondering, do you speak Auslan or American sign? I suppose American, it would definitely make more sense to go there then. I wish you all the best, heaps of luck, courage and strength.(reply to this comment)

From Madacl Thursday, June 15, 2006, 01:07 (Agree/Disagree?) Thanks. I know both Auslan and ASL, I'm thinking about the States but it takes some months to prepare for leave TFI. I'm just looking for more info and help and make sure that will be all for me to know about new life. (reply to this comment)

From Albatross Sunday, June 11, 2006, 12:20 (Agree/Disagree?) Hi Madaci, As far as education goes...colleges in the US are required to accommodate individuals with disabilities. You need not go only to a "deaf college." I know that here at Berkeley for example, we provide several different ways to help the hearing impaired participate in class. If you are interested in getting an education (and given your disability, I think that is your best bet for material success) it is entirely realistic to go to a junior college and then transfer to a four year college. Many, many exfamily SGAs have done it. It does take some commitment in time and energy, but if you can do it I think you will see the rewards. My living situation precludes me from taking in additional roomates but I'd be more then happy to advise you in anyway I can about education or anything else. Please feel free to contact me at rosronin@aol.com. Best of luck with everything.(reply to this comment)

from Fish Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 10:54 (Agree/Disagree?) Come now, you must be joking. In the "real world" there is no such thing as "free rent". You cant expect anyone in this community, sympathetic though we may be, to seriously consider taking you, a total stranger, in, "rent free". (reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Monday, June 12, 2006, 13:59 (Agree/Disagree?) I have, Fish. I was in the public toilets when I heard a girl crying in pain. I knocked on the next cubicle to see if she was okay. She was a young runaway with a heroin habit and was passing kidney stones at that moment. I wanted to take her to a hospital but she freaked out so much at that that I finally took her home while I was deciding what to do. I had been on my way to work (Where I was supervisor at a restaurant) when I found her. I called my boss and said I wouldn't be coming in. I nursed her all night and kept her for about a week when she got better and disappeared, stealing nothing but my favourite CD. Not saying this was the smartest thing I've ever done, just that you shouldn't be so cynical. If this boy were in Australia, for example, he could share a flat with someone and it needn't be rent-free, because the government would give him Austudy to live on and he could get HECs to pay his school fees.(reply to this comment)

From Rain Child Monday, June 12, 2006, 14:15 (Agree/Disagree?) Just in case you thought I was totally irresponsible I thought I'd add that I spent that first night ringing every government agency and charity I could think of to try and find somewhere for her to go, and only kept her after realising it was the best option.(reply to this comment)

From Fish Monday, June 12, 2006, 14:20 (Agree/Disagree?) No, not at all. You sound like a good person. Im impressed.(reply to this comment)

From Fish Monday, June 12, 2006, 14:07 (Agree/Disagree?) Have a cookie!(reply to this comment)

From Hydra Saturday, June 10, 2006, 12:08 (Agree/Disagree?) That is completey untrue. If I had the space available, I would absolutely consider it.(reply to this comment)

From Fish Monday, June 12, 2006, 13:51 (Agree/Disagree?) Well well, what a statement. Perhaps I am too cynical, but I think not. If anyone here has taken in a complete stranger, "rent free", please let me know. Ill be on my way over. As for Jules, I think we can all say that she is hardly your "average" ex member. This site is proof enough of that.(reply to this comment)

From Jules Sunday, June 11, 2006, 00:02 (Agree/Disagree?) I agree. If you email me privately at jules@movingon.org I will see what I can help you with. I am in Canada but my door is always open and I currently have a spare room here you are welcome to. You can study for the GED here in Canada, but the GED is not really the best way to get into college or university. A transition year would probably be your best bet. A disability may qualify you for a grant, or at least help with the application and guidance on the requirements. Please also see this excellent article on leaving TF. http://www.movingon.org/article.asp?sID=4&Cat=41&ID=1146 (reply to this comment)

From Sunday, June 11, 2006, 10:15 (Agree/Disagree?) I don't know if there are "transition years" in the US. I got into college with a GED but I was lucky because friends of my relatives had friends at the college who made a deal that I could do some remedial type courses on a probationary basis. I did part-time basic classes and studied round the clock (when I wasn't at work). If the prof assigned 10 problems, I did all 50 in the book for that chapter. I even started doing algebra in my dreams. I did OK and eventually graduated with grades high enough to go to top graduate school.(reply to this comment)

From Sunday, June 11, 2006, 10:26 (Agree/Disagree?) OK, come to think of it, "transition years" may be where US community colleges come in. I don't personally have experience with them, but I believe a number of people on this site went that route. I fact, I think People magazine said Daniel did that. he then got into Berkeley!!! Keep posting on this site. Those of us who have been through what you are going to start can help with ideas each step of the way. Best of luck to you. If I did it, you can do it.(reply to this comment)