Walking Therein

15 year-old German Homeschooler Sent to a Mental Institution

(This was forwarded to me by a person who is homeschooling in Germany and is closer to the case. She is trying to find ways to support the Busekros family through this affair. It originates from Melissa. You can read more background information here. Note, I'm not sure it would be ethical to release the name of the person questioning Melissa since she is not a public person and has not made any public statement so far as I know. Here, she will remain Ms. M. My insertions are in italics.)

Melissa Busekros
Klinikum Nürnberg-Nord
Haus 48 B
Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1
D-90419 Nürnberg
Germany/Deutschland

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Working for educational freedom in Germany

Untitled Comment

2:18 PM, Wednesday, February 7, 2007 .. Posted by gottsegnet

Thanks! I have been working on an article about the homeschool situation and have been getting a number of updates and information from people homeschooling there. It is rather frightening when you think about it. I understand that homeschooling is illegal and the officials involved kind of have their hands tied as far as what they can do. But they are so aggressive...3 police cars to pick up one girl? Statements from officials stating the need to bring "religious convictions of the family in line with the compulsory attendance laws? (referring to a different case). And taking this girl in such a short time with apparently no attempt at a peaceful resolution?

(and the diagnosis...one year developmentally delayed? How can you determine that for a 15 yo? And how does that land you in the psychiatric ward of a clinic? School phobia? Maybe she needs to be kept away from school, not her family, assuming this is an accurate diagnosis.

And the need for socialization is echoed throughout. Where have we heard that before?

There are a couple of other things going on I'll translate later...and it will probably go over on the company porch (actually a little more positive, for a change!)

I couldn't believe when I woke up this morning and looked at my site stats...I always get a few stragglers from Germany, but today is full of people searching for more information on this case.

Now I'll give you your comment box back!

Dana (also at Principled Discovery...http://gottsegnet.blogspot.com)

Melissa...

10:07 PM, Sunday, February 11, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Our family sent letters and a package :)