...F.R.E.E. helped me a lot when I was writing [Good Men: A Practical Handbook for Divorced Dads], and indeed was an inspiration as I wrestled with the very challenges I talk about in the book. Thanks.
Author Jack Feuer
Thousand Oaks, CA
"F.R.E.E. has help me to effectively communicate with my ex-wife in resolving our teenage boys problems. I am 300 miles from my children but I am still a major contributor to the lives and struggles they face. F.R.E.E. gives me up to date information that helps me deal with the distance factor ie: creative ways to stay involved in their lives."
Sincerly,
Gregory E. Hungerford,
San Diego, CA
Thanks for being there when I needed to talk to someone who had the patients and understanding to understand what I was going through. I haven't looked at the web site for around a year now, and it looks nice. I'm pleased that you are at a point to be able to send out information. I have refered F.R.E.E. to several people and they have also been surprised and excited with the assistance you provided them.
Cliff Lord
Phoenix, AZ
Damn!, but it is good to have someone like you on our side...
Clark Taylor
Middletown, CT
"I just recently joined F.R.E.E. and am very gratefull for your support. It helps to know that there are others out there who understand the problems that a father who wants to be an active part of his childrens' lives faces when going through a divorce."
Steve Wagner
Tucson, AZ
"Hello Anne,
[Personal confidential information about case deleted.]
"The purpose of this e-mail is not only to give you details but to give you and this organization many thanks. Mornings when we would come to work feeling like all was lost, there on the computer screen would be another encouraging message from you or another member of this incredible team. We are renewing our membership with F.R.E.E. and you have our promise that we will continue to help in any way we can. This battle is long from over (eighteen is a long way for a three year old ) but we will go the distance. F.R.E.E. reminded us every day that we were not alone and most of all it was truly worth it.
"Anne, there are countless children ( and Dad's and second mates ) who have you and your tireless commitment to thank. I'm sure we will cross paths soon. Take care."
Jeannine McDonough
Olivier Lafont
Boston, MA
[Unrelated request omitted]
"As an aside, I believe FREE has done an excellent job of endorsing candidates based on their support of fathers rights, irregardless of the candidates political affiliation or opinions on other issues. I hope FREE stays this way. I get so frustrated when I see, for example, an environmental group supporting a candidate based on his/her views of abortion or some other politically hot issue unrelated to the groups stated charter."
Shawn Larsen
Livermore, CA
You know, it just struck me - hard. Reading your comments about Gordon Clark and the second class citizenship we have acquired (by law), it was the first time that I was not thrust into a despondent mood. For the past nine years, I have been in a bluefunk over the injustice that was done to me personally. After some months of conversing with the FREE(tm) list, I finally have gained a balanced perspective of my life as an NCP. I don't know what it was that tipped the balance, but it has happened.
Thank you all. You've done what nine years of research failed to do. I am amazed.
Hank Heath
Philadelphia, PA
"Indiscriminate character assassinations by angry people are not a new agenda in society, but the systematic expectation by Family Courts, of Fathers, that the Fathers simply tolerate dirty fighting from spouses and their attorneys, is a blight on human caring and decency that historically appears to be some type of "self-correction" and penance being projected onto traditionally providing good men, projected by the guilt of the Courts and Lawyers who for years had ignored abusive men. F.R.E.E. offers good Fathers a place to recover, a sanctuary of regrouping and remembering that the children need their Fathers, and that their Fathers cannot be replaced. Having access to F.R.E.E has allowed me to be free with my children again, rather than to be constantly defensive in anticipation of a next surprise challenge to our love for each other. F.R.E.E. helped us to play again, and to NOT have to always schedule BIG EVENTS as reasons to be together. F.R.E.E. helped us to remember that we could just be ourselves."
Martin Sawzin
Newton, MA
Hi Anne,
"I wanted to share my joy with you because of all the help F.R.E.E. [tm] has been to me.
[Personal confidential information about case deleted.]
"Because of all the help you and F.R.E.E. [tm] have been to me, I promise and will commit to renewing my membership next year and applying the Matching Funds from Microsoft."
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Thanks again,
Mike
Dallas, Texas
"I found F.R.E.E. nearly a year ago when my wife told me that she wanted a divorce. We have three kids, 14, 10 1/2, and 9; she wanted sole custody. In F.R.E.E. I found a voice (actually multiple voices) of reason and support for my desire to stay involved in my children's lives.
"F.R.E.E.'s focus has always been on the best interests of everyone involved in a divorce. No one will do well if anyone comes out of a divorce crippled. Like, war, divorce is hell for everyone, but the best resolution is for the children to retain the love and support of both parents. F.R.E.E. has always lived by this philosophy. Unfortunately for for fathers, it is usually we who come out of divorces crippled these days. F.R.E.E.'s reasoned voice in support of has sustained me as my divorce war has dragged on.
"It was my position from the start of my divorce case, that physical custody should be split 50-50. Our custody evaluation recommended a 50-50 split, with me as the primary custodian if 50-50 didn't work. We have been living under such an arrangement under a temporary agreement for the past few months. On a couple of occassions, my lawyer said I had grounds and suggested that I file to be named sole custodian. I decided, though, that in the long run, my kids would be worse off if their mother were kicked out of their lives, and I decided not to seek sole custody.
"It is now nearly a year with no settlement in sight. I am glad F.R.E.E. is there, and I am very appreciative of its (actually our, since I am a member) efforts in support of rational custody arrangements, where "best interests" really means best interests and is not code for the interests of the speaker."
Russ Abbott
Chatsworth, CA
I have been receiving emails for a year ( or so ) and I really like what I read - what you all are doing.
There was a time when I thought that I might have to use your help....Then I split up with my 2nd (common-law) wife.
I am amazed at the difference in the way that my childrens' mother and I get along. I guess I consider myself lucky that we both have the kids' interest at heart.
Keep up the fight!
Craig Shuck
Langmont, CO
I attended the first and second [Annual Conference] and do not plan on missing the third.
Stephen Zavell,
Oakland, CA
Dear Annie,
"Hello and congratulations on the success of the conference. It is good to hear that the momentum is towards the equalization of parenting rights after divorce. Due to the timing I was not able to attend this conference but do plan to attend future conferences. The news article is a refreshing one as it supported the concerns and feelings of the conference and did not treat is as just another group out to make their mark in the world. There has been many articles in the local paper, (Plain Dealer), here in Cleveland that support the issues of change needed to the family law system. I joined the group this year, member #198. I have to tell you that of all the numbers I have been assigned in my life it feels great to have this one. Just reading and hearing news from others that have gone through these same issues involved in divorce and visitation is a great support that helps me maintain hope for my own litigation's. You and all the members of the F.R.E.E are my pillar of support in the dirty world of divorce. Together I know the members of F.R.E.E will make a difference as it will be a great tragedy if the family law system is not addressed soon. I have read the [Putting] Children First and Custody for Fathers books as well as received my first copy of Modern Dad." [...]
Sincerely,
Steve Martin
Cleveland, OH
The Fathers' Rights and Equality Exchange
1-500-FORDADS
This page last updated Saturday, 11 June, 2005 by:
F.R.E.E. free@vix.com