Conference Review & Comments

[PTO-92958]

I just wanted to say, before I go to bed (visiting tomorrow ), that I had a blast today!
I never really went into chat before...I've graduated! It was almost as much fun as being there! Well...I can pretend so anyway. LOL
But seriously, you all did a fantastic job pulling this together! The speakers were wonderful, informative, and very entertaining.
Ray Hill is quite a personality...and Jonathan...well, yanno......Love you! (Thanks for callin' me and DW out like that BTW, LOL)
Jonathan, I loved your comparison between being incarcerated and the stages of grief. Brilliant. I never saw it that way before...and it is so true. (From this side of the equation...I'm sure from the inside even more so)
David, your mom made me cry! Well, so did you at the beginning, you seemed overcome and it flowed over onto us out here. You're the best Bossman! I hope to be fortunate enough to meet you and your mom at the next convention. By then you'll have a bona fide fan club, Teddy Bear!
Rach, great job coordinating! You were classy and on point as always! Love you too! We must have a nitecap together sometime (EST)...will you drink a Bloody Mary in the AM or something so I don't have to be the one imbibing before 5pm? LOL
Patty...why didn't you speak? (Besides the Staff intros I mean). I missed our MILFy's point of view. Oh, I get it, you would've dominated the stage...you were letting everyone else shine.
Lysbeth, What else can I say? Boooooo Continental Airlines!!!!! Love you too, girl!
To all the other Staff (mostly Texans ) I was so happy to see you and put a face to the name. I hope you all had a great time...well, at this point, still having a great time!
And shoutout to member Nubian Princess/His Lucky Charm! Hey girl! Now I can say I "met" you too!
Hope I didn't leave anyone out...my apologies if I did. I'm sooo tired and should've been sleeping long ago. Just still hyped from the conference, I guess.
I really enjoyed myself today...and I sat in front of this monitor on the nicest day of spring yet! See how I love y'all?
Again...much applause to all the speakers, coordinators, participants, attendees, and members/Staff in chat who made this day a wonderful day, and the convention a success!
Goodnight PTO family. Love to y'all!

Peace & Blessings,
~GG~

[JJS811]

I watched the live feed and was in chat also (I have never been in there either before...lol). The whole thing was fascinating. Ray Hill really was amazing, and to be able to sit in my office in the UK and ask him a question was awesome. When he answered my Q it was just like I was there!

Jonathan you are just simply a hoot! Every time you got the mic, the chat room descended into giggle, apart from when you told us about C.U.R.E. I want you as my best friend now, you're the best!

Rach, hats off to you gal, you pulled it all together, while still managing to pull faces at the camera and make us laugh (nice earrings by the way).

Last but by no means least - David and your mom. What can I say? Thank you is inadequate. Your devotion to all of us involved with the prison system in what ever capacity is second to none. This forum, the conference, the fact any of us can come to you for help, advice or support. Your moms pride made me cry, she is a wonderful lady so strong yet just so ordinary, no airs and graces, just a very proud mom. You're a star Mrs. David mom.

To everyone else who made watching the conference as fun, informative and enjoyable as it was - thank you. It was great to put faces to names, like Joshiesmom who moderates in the CP forum, where I spend most of my time, and of course to hear you all.

I hope next year I don't see you just on a screen, but in real life! I got to be there cos I wanna hug from Jonathan

[Cactus]

It was a great video conference on Saturday, and it was also nice placing names w/the faces. A lot of subjects were covered and having watched the video-stream, I feel much closer to and much more part of the P.T.O. family. Sorry that I didn't go into chat until late, I didn't think of it!

When I first came out of prison I felt very much alone. There isn't much out here for support for us Inmates. Nor are there that many people to turn to for direction and/or for the many questions that I had. Anyone can read books and see movies about prison life, but unless you've been to prison or have a family-member or loved-one behind the wall, you can't really understand how it all works. And even then, it’s difficult for the Inmate, Inmate-families or Loved-ones to fully understand or to find the support and answers that we truly need. It would be almost the same as turning to someone for advice on raising children, when that person you asked has no children of their own, or simply reads about child rearing without the actual experience. So basically that’s what I had to contend with after my release from prison.

But Thank God for P.T.O.!!! Thanks to its many members that have brought so much needed support to the Inmate and the Inmate-Family community, along with the many answered questions, thousands of shared experiences and just as important; the family-like connection that P.T.O. brings around the country (and the world). The support here is endless! There are threads about addiction, education, employment, Inmate-family connection, Inmate husband/wife connections, Inmate-children connections, visitation and phone issues, medical issues, financial issues, discussions on alternative sentencing and much needed programs, the A.H.C. ankle-bracelet/parole and probation issues, God the list goes on! The collective experiences and knowledge of P.T.O. by all of its members is no doubt the largest source of prison-related resources in the world.

I have found so many interesting threads over the months, written by so many of you (Inmates and Inmate-family members and loved-ones). Stories of coping with loss/healing and betrayal. Stories of failure and of success and many stories of comfort, hope, and answered prayers. But it doesn’t just end there because; we hear from the officers (CO’s) from around the country, from many prison officials, news journalists, and thousands of guests through-out the week. People from all walks of life, with many different stories from many different cultures and personal/professional events.

Today, I don’t feel as alone as I once did. And in fact I belong to and am supported by my family known to the world as PTO. The design of the PTO logo created by ‘ant’s wife’ said it best; “TOGETHER WE ARE ONE FAMILY”. In fact what I wrote to David, I want to share with you; “Not only has this forum been a support to me, but it has also enabled me to use this forum to support other (PTO) members as well...”

Members, It will be one year ago this April 1st when I was released from NHSP (Berlin) on the A.H.C. (ankle-bracelet) program. And just last week I attended a parole hearing in Concord NH. Well, I was granted parole and on May 1st when this ankle-bracelet will be finally removed. I have been wearing it for almost one year now. Anytime one can successfully jump a doc hurdle is a good day indeed! I contribute a lot of my success to you, the PTO family.

Hey PTO members, I didn’t respond to all of your threads, lol I’m not sure if that’s possible, except for maybe Patty of course! But many of you touched my heart with encouragement and hope, and many of you answered a lot of my own questions along the way. Having written that, it has to make one wonder how many people you help along their journey, without you even knowing it! I for one am forever grateful for what you have shared and continue to share, and especially for your continued support. Thank you PTO members!!!

And a special thanks belongs to;
PTO founder Fed-X (aka) David; for following through with your vision of touching thousands of lives with the means for help and for hope.
And to PTO Administrator Jonathan along with all other Administrators, Site Moderators/Moderators for your time and unselfish sacrifice.
Thank you,
Cactus~


‘Birth and Renewal’
Time is more than the memories of age and history written…
It is also the many pages of birth and renewal,
We’ve yet to write.
Cactus~

[bellisq]

PTO staff did a masterful job of getting the information to all of us who couldn't be with you. I know how much work it takes to not only get a conference organized, but to get it broadcast throughout the world with out a hitch.

I hope that everyone who got to attend was gratified. I know i learned things, loved the jail lag term for example, but was so pleased just to feel part of a large and productive community.

Everybody who worked so hard to put this together, thank you so much from all of us, for this weekend and all your work. Now, as we say in South Florida after a coup, take the day off.

[Tracy]

We had a great time and I was so glad there was a live feed (except Rach said that staff wouldnt have to speak when she introduced us and that was a fib and I WILL be talking to her about that!) I have no clue what I said and probably wouldn't want to see me again.

We made some new friends and the speakers were great. I know that Admin put a GREAT deal of work into this conference and it was a success. I am ready for next year.

We missed everyone that couldnt' be there, but hopefully next year will be bigger and more of us can get to meet.

I just wanted to say, Thank You to everyone that made me feel at home.

I hope everyone that was able to watch was able to take away at least a little something good from the speakers.

[PTO-92958]

Just got back from my visit.
I was so tired last night...and just trying to get ready for my little trip today, that I left out some important people...

First of all, Michael B. Jackson was amazing also! Very animated and motivational. I truly enjoyed his segment of the conference.
Everyone really had so much to offer and contribute to the knowledge and connections we share here at PTO.
And of course...our Moderator, karengrovo. So sorry I blanked out on ya in last night's post. You did a fine job as well!...so down to earth...and funny! I wanna hang out with you! Come to NY?
Oh, and Jonathan, it looks like JJS811 is forming a British Fan Club for you! Look out David, you got competition!

Well, again, BRAVO to all who made this possible!
(Okay, I think I'm done...until I think of something else to add...)

Oh...sorry...not done (quite)
Guess what was the major topic of discussion at today's visit?

[JohnBrandi4life]

As a PTO memeber....i just wanted to say thank you to everyone! I had a wonderful time and i really enjoyed meeting everyone! Jonathan.....you are so funny and i enjoyed meetting you. This is a wonderful experience for me. I went to visit my husband today and told him about all the wonderful speakers and everything that went on.....he says thank you PTO for being here for me and the rest of the people. Love you guys!

Brandi

[PTO-29412]

It was a pleasure getting to know all of you as well, and I enjoyed the Conference! Cannot wait for next year!!!!

[JJS811]

Too right GG, Jonathan is cool. Wonders where the nearest tee shirt printing firm is...lol

Jonathan for British Prime Minister

Originally Posted by goldenglove

Oh, and Jonathan, it looks like JJS811 is forming a British Fan Club for you! Look out David, you got competition!