**The names and ages of some have been changed to protect the families of the individuals involved.**
In the 80’s, "boot camps" for troubled teens became the new treatment dejour for parents at their wits end. However, after numerous allegations of severe abuse, untrained staff and several deaths, these camps came under much scrutiny. Steve Cartisano ran the most notorious of these camps, called Challenger Foundation. I was 15 when I was kidnapped from my bed and taken to Challenger. 63 Days is the story-in-progress about my brutal experiences there, my subsequent escape and the aftermath. This is my story, this is my life.
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Visitors Since May 25
Oh how the holidays drain you. To fill you in on a few things:
We’re moving to the So Cal area. We’re really excited about it, I’m a sunshine girl, Mike’s from there, the kids are beyond excited to be by the beach and my brother and his family and of course…Disneyland. Oh yes, Disneyland. [...]
So today is the day that I depart for lands unknown, far into the hills of the Wasatch, to partake of family goodness.
To start, I may have to fill you in on the “Christensen” side of my family. My mom is a Christensen and she has 2 sisters and 1 brother, who all have many [...]
Since Sept. 11, scores of well wishers have packed the small Staten Island home of Gerard Barbara, assistant chief of the New York Fire Department. Mr. Barbara’s wife and two children recognize many of the faces, but not all of them. In an odd twist, they end up consoling some of the visitors, who appear [...]
Go see this. I’ve seen this many times before, but its stunning. Amazing. It will make your afternoon…
The Sultan’s Elephant is truly incredible.
2:00 am, little noises that sound like sniffling but its only been 3 hours since the last feeding. Frustrated a bit but not enough to erase the smile from my face as I sit up slowly. By the time I’m fully upright, the sniffling is a cry.
“Don’t get up, I got him,” from my husband, [...]
Harper Elias Michael Easley
(with big brother Jonah - 9 years old)
July 17th, 4:00 AM
6 lbs. 12 oz, 18 inches
K, I wake up this morning after sleeping, oh…none. Phone is ringing, I dash (so totally not a dash, more like a slow roll/waddle/whimperwalk) to the phone that is 5 feet from my bed. I don’t make it before the answering machine gets it. Got that? I didn’t even get 5 feet in 6 rings. [...]
Here’s what’s going on in my house:
* My 7 year old wrote all over a white turtle neck with big green and purple letters that say “FLASH” and “i’ll be back” and “run, sucka”. He also wears it with jeans and a pair of tighty whitey undapants over the top. Oh [...]
K, I’m so sorry guys. Blah, blah blah I know, you’ve heard it all before. I have 5 weeks til my baby comes, and I’ve been in the hospital and just got out. Kidneys shut down, I think its called Pylo something. Anyway, I am out and posting again. Thanks [...]
My favorite family residing in California welcomed their second child, Bennett, April 24th. Go see this beautiful baby…
One thing about the nighttime in that area of the world is that there are literally an annoying amount of stars. You get used to it sometimes but there are other times where its just so bright, you swear the moon is crashing down on earth or that its about to explode. Tonight was one [...]
My sister emailed me yesterday a picture of her 3 boys, aged 8, 5 and 3. They sat, smiling faces and baskets full of Easter candy and toys, in front of the fireplace in the family room in their GORGEOUS new home in Lehi, Ut. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, they were grinning and [...]
Helloooooooo from Las Vegas. Times are changing, much like the seasons. My family and I are all moved into the new house (I’m a liar) and all of the boxes are unpacked (my nose is hitting the monitor as we speak) and we’re all just sitting pretty enjoying the lovely decor (ok, I’m [...]
If you’re wondering whats going on with my life, let me fill you in!
We moved. Finally. Got into the new house, put everything away or in the garage when an enormously disgusting strain of the FLU hit our family. All of us. Me, the 4 kids and the hubby. Good [...]
Hey, has everyone seen the hubbub about James Frey’s book “A Million Little Pieces”? Let me give you a quick synopsis if you haven’t already seen all of the press he’s been getting on damn near every single news network over the last few weeks.
James Frey was an incredibly sad addict when he was [...]
Or does this season just KILL you? I’m trying to balance work and kids and husband and morning sickness and dad and hospital and writing. I lack in the last one, I’m so sorry. I’m working on it, and tomorrow is my day off. Lets see if I can crank one [...]
Sorry I haven’t posted, I will tonight. My dad is in open heart surgery today and…my husband and I just found out we’re expecting a baby! It’s been a crazy last 2 weeks.. Stay tuned. See ya’ll tonight!
~ Alli
They’re airing my little bit on Fox News’ “Dayside” today. 1 oclock eastern, 10 oclock pacific. If you’re new here to 63days, go to the bottom of this page and click “previous entries” and start from #1 or click here
thanks!
Alli
Ok, I’ve been gone. I have much more to write, but as it is right now, my husband and I are getting divorced. In the mean time, he thinks that when its final, he will get half of my earnings from this, although there is no book. This is a weblog, not [...]
Don’t forget to vote. You know you’re appreciated.
Love you guys,
Alli
“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with
nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke,
and a presumption that once our eyes watered.” - Tom Stoppard
Today, yesterday….what a mess. I’m recovering, I hope everyone else involved in this situation here [...]
Don’t forget to vote. You know you’re appreciated. I should take you all out for slurpees. Yes, I most definately should…
Love you guys,
Alli
I’m in the middle of renovation, as you can see, and while I’m doing that, if you want archives, go to the bottom and work up, and start with #1. I’m sorry. We’re hurrying as fast as we can!
In the mean time, go to the forums and post, why don’tcha!
I’ll put up a [...]
I’m taking a moment away from the story to say one thing…I hope you don’t mind.
I was nominated for the Blogette Awards! I’m so honored and excited to even be there, so if you wouldn’t mind, would you just take a second and please vote for me here. Encourage everyone you know to do so [...]
Today, April 19. I am feeling great loss. I’m sad, I want to write the next part, but I can’t. I will tonight, tomorrow for sure.
The clouds outside the window look dark and full, but they aren’t raining. Don’t the birds know that I don’t want to hear them singing? The sun shines, trying to [...]
The forum is up and running. Join up! I’d love to hear from you.
Thanks guys.
Alli
Sometimes I wonder if I should continue. Some have commented that this isn’t real, that this didn’t happen to me. It’s taken 16 years for me to speak, and even then, I am told that this “never happened”… All they’d have to do is Google Steve Cartisano. Jack said “it would have been [...]
A boy named Jeremy emailed me today. He was there with us. He remembers. He’s still suffering:
2 divorcescan’t keep a jobbites his nails bloodyuses drugshomeless at one point for 3 yearsstill can’t go camping
I’m blessed. I’m handling things a little better, I think.