Parent Reviews of Wellspring Academies
When a child attends Wellspring Academies, the entire family benefits. It might be a strengthened relationship between parents and child, a change in the child's confidence and attitude that improves the family dynamic, or the entire family adopting a healthier lifestyle. Through Family Workshops and ongoing communication with each student's collaborative treatment team, parents can stay involved with their child's progress and help their entire family make positive changes.
Below are a few of the parent reviews we've received recently.
"What did you do to our daughter? While she wanted to attend Wellspring and found the program of her own accord, she still left as a disorganized teenager with an attitude. Since coming home, she has blown us away with her 50 pound weight loss; ability to keep it off; focus and commitment to her program; effort to be courteous and helpful and respectful in the household -- and more! She's organized, thoughtful, diligent, goal oriented and reflective. We're absolutely thrilled she attended the program and can't think of a better way to have invested in our daughter's health and future.
Since Wellspring came into our vocabulary, we've all lost weight and become much more active. We're more conscious and thoughtful of what we eat, how we eat it and why we eat it. We've embraced the program wholeheartedly because it is so sustainable and can be done for the long haul.
What a great thing to go from being obese to being in a healthy weight range! We're very proud and excited for Kay and for all of us. Thank you Wellspring Academy!"
— Misty & Gary Y. (Truckee, CA), whose daughter Kay lost 50 lbs.
"David is down below 200 lbs… he has lost 40 lbs. since coming home last May by using what he learned. He runs 5 miles a day…great eating, inspiring others! He just landed an internship with our congresswoman. Wellspring saved David's life."
— Donna D. (Loveland, OH), whose son David lost 84 lbs. at Wellspring and 40 lbs. at home
"Wellspring: it is amazing! Before Wellspring, Ashley was really struggling and hated school. But while she was at Wellspring, I never once heard her say that she was hating going to class like when she was at home. I love the small classes, I love that it is a part of the whole. What I mean by that is the education is important but it is part of the child and at Wellspring it is interwoven into all parts of the child's life.
Wellspring gave us hope for our child. It helped to allay some of our fears of losing her. She was in a deep dark place and Wellspring has brought light back into her life as well as ours. We appreciate so much the knowledge and the special gifts all the staff have and share with each of the students. Our daughter has learned so much from each and every one. Both Tom and I want to say thanks from the bottom of hearts. Thanks for giving me my happy child back."
—Norma Renwick (Yukon, Canada), whose daughter Ashley lost 101 lbs.
"I felt Danielle needed a form of intervention and research led me to Wellspring Academy. However, the ultimate decision to attend was hers. I went to visit the campus and felt comfortable that she was well taken care of. She kept in touch with us and the sound of her voice was enough to ensure me that she was happy. Besides the obvious weight loss, she is much happier, more self-confident and motivated to maintain the type of lifestyle she learned will keep her healthy for years to come."
—Mom of Danielle N. (Darien, CT), who lost 81 lbs. at Wellspring
"We've known for a very long time there was a problem—Emily was at a dietitian when she was 5. She's a good athlete, but the additional weight impacted her ability to play, and any setbacks and she would get down on herself.
Wellspring was the right place for our daughter, even though she was away. We've seen her beautiful personality return. We had lost some of that in the last couple of years."
—Jeff & Lisa H. (Raleigh, NC), who daughter lost 65 lbs. at Wellspring"I am so thankful to everyone at Wellspring for the incredible learning and growth experience provided to my daughter, Melissa. Knowing that Melissa was very depressed and hopeless about ever losing weight, I knew she needed outside help within a controlled environment. Last June, I was determined to find help for her. I called other summer diet programs across the country. The other programs were too short term and looked like they could only partially address the needs of my daughter. When I reviewed the scientific information provided by Dr. Kirschenbaum, I knew Wellspring was the answer. I immediately placed Melissa on short notice and with a huge leap of faith.
Melissa stayed through the summer and fall semester of her junior year. During that time, I got to meet most of the staff, from the residential advisors, to the teachers and executives. Everyone, even the kitchen staff, was so positive and encouraging to the kids. The environment enabled the kids who wanted to achieve something, to do so, and I am fortunate that Melissa was willing to trust that it would work for her. When she adopted the principles taught, she had the most success. She saw the positive results of self-control and hard work and had a lot of fun at the same time.
Now it's been five months since she left, where the real-world work really began. Although she did take a bit of a break from following her program and gained some weight, the real benefit of Wellspring is evident. Instead of giving up, Melissa is committed to her program and is still working it, even when it's difficult and very challenging. By sending Melissa to Wellspring, she received a wonderful opportunity to permanently change her life. Our whole family has reaped this reward, as well. Melissa's sister has also been following the program and has never been as slender and healthy as she is today. I, too, have followed the program by walking with a pedometer daily since Wellspring gave me one almost a year ago. I now eat a low fat diet and enjoy following the program. Because of Wellspring, I, too am healthier, fitter and have lost 2 dress sizes, bringing me to my optimal weight. Taking that leap of faith to enroll Melissa last year was the right thing to do and we will be forever grateful for what you"ve done for her."
—Leslie R.,(Irvine, CA)
"Wellspring saved my daughter from continuing down a road to destruction. She was morbidly obese and tried every diet without success. Wellspring helped her realize there was long term hope. After hard work, healthy eating and a positive attitude my daughter has finally reached her goal weight and remains very stable.
The experience she gained at Wellspring has even led her to want to study fitness and nutrition when she continues furthering her education after high school. Her dream is to be able to help kids who are in the shoes she used to wear."
—Gregory O., (Neenah, WI), whose daughter Callie lost 51 lbs.
"I can say for sure that Wellspring gave my son a second chance on life; it saved his life. My son ran out of options, we flew out in August of last year, my son walked around the school, all 581 lbs. of him, and told me that this was where he wanted to be.
The school has taught both my son and me that it is possible to win. Wellspring has allowed my son to grow up, deal with his demons, and learn a new healthy way of life. He has learned how to take care of himself while receiving an education. Every time that I see my son, he is smiling and enjoying the life he now able to enjoy and he is doing things he dreamed about doing.
The staff at Wellspring is a super group of people. I have entrusted them with my son; and they kept their promises to me. They have been extremely accurate about everything they have done with my son. All I can do is thank them and let other families know that if they choose Wellspring for their child, then they have made a wise decision."
—Lily K. (Exeter, NH), whose son lost 335 lbs.
"Seeing the school and meeting the kids and staff was life changing, you all are doing such an amazing job getting these kids on track. It's obvious that the weight loss is a product of hard work and dedication, but it's more than that. They have new self-esteems, new attitudes and really are happy. I noticed such a difference even from January. Your students seem like different people to me, between the sadness of leaving I could still see their newfound hope and happiness."
—Alison K. (Santa Barbara, CA), whose son lost 90 lbs.
"Wellspring provided the key our daughter needed to make a healthy lifestyle change. The program made it possible for her to adopt healthy habits and encouraged her to make changes to her general lifestyle.
Wellspring staff are positive role models who are dedicated and committed to all of these young people. They taught my daughter a love for an active healthy lifestyle and she felt supported and understood thru the process. She has gained confidence to take control of her overall fitness choices and nutrition. Seeing the healthy choices she is making at home, I feel she has the skills to be a successful weight controller."
—Josephine and Mark R. (Fitchburg, MA) whose daughter lost 76 lbs
"When I first learned of Wellspring, I was ready to do just about anything to help my nephew, Daniel, who was 150 pounds overweight and was failing high school. Daniel had been diagnosed as pre-diabetic and was well on his way to an early death. Just as bad, Daniel had absolutely no energy and NO REAL MOTIVATION to do anything productive on a day-today basis to deal with his situation.
Now, 11 months later, all I can say is Thank God for Wellspring and its team of nutritional, behavioral and educational specialists. My nephew, Daniel, has been changed forever. He is no longer a boy with no real future. Instead, Daniel has become a man with a strong sense of purpose and deep character. He is now 18 years old, weighs an appropriate 200 pounds (150 pounds lighter than last year), has made up 2 years of high school in one year at Wellspring, did well on his SAT scores and is poised to attend Arizona State University and study to become an architect. And none of this would have been possible had it not been for Wellspring. To be successful, a program like this needs to focus on nutrition, exercise, emotional and behavioral counseling and personalized academic instruction. And Wellspring has it all. Even more importantly, every one of the staff members at Wellspring is a caring, loving, professional. The instructors, counselors and therapists at Wellspring all have their hearts in the right place. They love what they're doing, and it shows.
It certainly isn't inexpensive to send a student to Wellspring. But it is money well spent. And, for families trapped like we were in a downward spiral, it will likely be the best investment you will ever make."
—Kevin Daehnke (Irvine, CA), whose nephew lost 150 lbs.
"Our son was at Wellspring for 6 months and lost over 100 pounds. There is no way he could"ve ever done this on his own. He needed a therapeutic setting, and needed to turn around his life, which he did. Wellspring saved his life."
—Rochelle E. (Columbus, OH), whose son 104 lbs.
"Wellspring has changed my child's life. It is unbelievable that in the 9 months my son attended he lost 150 pounds. He learned a lifelong lesson about nutrition and how to manage his weight.
Although he did not want to attend initially, he soon became comfortable with the program and loved his success. He also became a better student and a happier person. I am grateful to Wellspring for providing him with the support and skills he needed to change his lifestyle in every aspect."
—Ellen K. (Milton, MA) whose son lost 152 lbs.
"Alicia came back to us a very different person. She was always a wonderful daughter but had become very unhappy, argumentative, and lethargic. Now, the smile has returned. She continues with her Wellspring menu of low fat and healthy foods, as does the entire family. We are also exercising together and having a lot of fun. Last night Alicia said to me as we were going on mile 3 of our walk, ‘You know before I went to Wellspring, I would have never wanted to walk with you because I was so tired from all of the weight I was carrying." We chuckled because she now walks faster than me and shows off by running up hills! We are thrilled with her continued success and pride in herself. Wellspring clearly provided our family with hope and success."
—Pat Ginochio (Martinez, CA), whose daughter lost 57 lbs.
"Today is the beginning of a wonderful, healthy and happy new life for Lauren. She is now on her way back -- returning home tonight only to turn back around and enter College in September.
I've said it many times before - but I truly cannot thank you all enough for the support, care and constant encouragement you provided Lauren (and myself as well). I sent Lauren to you last year as a depressed, lost young girl dropping out of school, loss of self-respect, self- esteem and no confidence in herself or her future.
Tonight I am picking up a mature healthy young woman, full of confidence, self-respect, and a passion for life with a goal to graduate from college. (Not to mention 72 pounds lighter!) Thank you for helping to find the beautiful compassionate loving child I once knew as the true Lauren.
I now have my daughter back and know she will only continue to thrive."
—Susan T. (Fort Lauderdale, FL) whose daughter lost 72 lbs.
"I delivered Nick to Wellspring on Labor Day 2005. He was a scared, desperate, depressed 15 year old, who was morbidly obese and pre-diabetic. He struggled in school socially and academically and hated going each day.
Ultimately, it was Nick's choice to go to Wellspring and to go for the entire school year. He had tried two weight loss camps on the East Coast, but had been unable to continue or maintain his weight loss. It was my feeling that he needed long term intervention, strict yet empowering, and Wellspring offered the ideal program.
Nick was often homesick. He never missed a call date. He thrived on the structure, even as he detested it at times. The important thing is: it worked. Nick struggled with the program sometimes, but lost weight week after week. His two visits home during the year also proved to be successful. Nick's behavioral coach kept me posted weekly on Nick's struggles and progress.
This was wonderful for me. My confidence grew that we had placed him in good hands. Nick's grades improved as the school year went on at Wellspring, and he came home an independent learner as well.
Nick lost 140 lbs at Wellspring. He is a happy, confident, handsome young man. He enjoys his friends like never before and has an active, fun summer job. I hardly recognize him both in his physical appearance and in the changes of his attitude, activity level, and approach to life. When he left for Wellspring, my greatest hope was that this would dramatically alter his life. I believe it saved his life. Though still a 16 year old boy who is impossible sometimes, Nick is taking greater responsibility for himself and his choices. I believe he now has the tools he needs and will continue to use them to be a long-term weight controller.
It is sad that we have become a nation so out of balance with our health and nutrition, but I am so grateful that Wellspring came into our lives. It was truly an answer to a prayer. We need a healthy living academy in every state. In fact, we need to turn ourselves into a healthy living nation! I hope this is the start."
—Cate LaBarre (Corning, NY) whose son lost 137 lbs.
