Christine Flannery
Christine Flannery
Episode 7 - Part 2, KIDS of Bergen County, Survivor Despina Stamos, 9/85 - 12/86
Episode 7 - Part 2, KIDS of Bergen County, Survivor Despina Stamos, 9/85 - 12/86
Episode 7 - Part 2, KIDS of Bergen County, Survivor Despina Stamos, 9/85 - 12/86
Friday 19th February 2021
Despina Stamos shares her harrowing story of abuse and escape from KIDS of Bergen County, shedding light on the program's extreme measures.
Explicit
62 minutes
Raw
Informative
Engaging
Thought-provoking
Empowering
About this podcast
Author:
Christine Flannery
Overview:
Categories:
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Sobriety Success Stories
Family Recovery from Addiction
Recovery from Trauma
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
29 (View all)
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!Despina's Escape: A Journey from Darkness in KIDS of Bergen County
I was overwhelmed by reading television, radio, human beings, food freedom, walking around by myself, going to the bathroom by myself. I was this ghost of myself, walking around, going through the motions of who I was, without any anybody's hearing.
Imagine being trapped in a place where every move is watched, every action scrutinized, and escape feels impossible. That's the world Despina Stamos found herself in when she entered KIDS of Bergen County, a spin-off of the notorious Straight Incorporated program. In this gripping episode, Despina, who went by Debbie during her time in the program, opens up about the harrowing conditions she endured.
From invasive strip searches to alarm systems that kept residents on constant lockdown, her story is a stark reminder of the extreme measures these programs took under the guise of rehabilitation. Despina shares how the oppressive environment took a severe toll on her mental health, leading her to a desperate suicide attempt as a means to escape.
Her ordeal didn't end once she left the program; she struggled with feelings of detachment and described herself as a 'ghost' of her former self. This episode isn't just about Despina's past—it's about the lasting impact such experiences have on survivors and the urgent need for better support systems. Through Despina's narrative, listeners gain a vivid picture of the abusive practices that were rampant in these so-called rehabilitation centers.
The episode serves as a powerful cautionary tale, shedding light on the dark reality behind programs like KIDS of Bergen County. It's an essential listen for anyone interested in understanding the deep scars left by these institutions and the resilience of those who survived them.