About Sue Scheff
Sue Scheff was once the desperate parent of a troubled teen, frantic with nowhere to turn and no support on her side. When her daughter Ashlyn began to demonstrate destructive and dangerous behavior, Ms. Scheff felt blindsided. She was unprepared for the ride upon which she and Ashlyn were about to embark. Ashlyn started to experiment with alcohol, sneaking out, and all-around rebellious acts of selfishness. Ashlyn was hanging out with the wrong crowd and would not respect the rules of her household. Ms. Scheff tried everything to help her daughter but Ashlyn’s behavior soon reached a breaking point. Ms. Scheff could no longer handle her abrasive and disturbing actions on her own- she resolved to find Ashlyn a residential program that might be able to offer her the care and attention she needed to succeed.
Soon Ashlyn was sent to a program and Ms. Scheff was optimistic this would help her daughter to overcome her personal obstacles with which she was wrestling. However, the opposite proved to be true. To Ms. Scheff’s horror, when Ashlyn returned she reported having been witness and victim to such treatment as neglect and even sexual abuse. Ashlyn returned even more emotionally battered and bruised and Ms. Scheff was beside herself. She did not know what would help at this point.
With help from her mother, eventually Ashlyn matured and was able to conquer the issues that plagued her as a teenager. Ms. Scheff was delighted to have her daughter back, but also felt propelled by her story to begin helping parents who face some of the same problems. She knew she had a calling to share her experiences for the greater good of parents everywhere. That’s when Ms. Scheff decided to begin her organization P.U.R.E. Throughout her trials with finding an institution for Ashlyn, she learned many things about different programs and the way they choose to address different problem areas. She wanted to be able to impart this knowledge to other parents so they don’t risk making the same mistake that damaged Ashlyn.
Sue Scheff’s story has attracted media coverage from around the country. Though most sympathize with her and support her cause, there have been others who have vehemently criticized her. She has even been the victim of fierce online slander. When someone did not like the advice she was given by Ms. Scheff, the woman decided to post nasty comments and remarks on the Internet. The situation reached critical heights, and Ms. Scheff came to a point where she was frightened to leave her own home for fear someone might recognize her in public.
Ms. Scheff filed a lawsuit against the woman for her remarks and was eventually awarded a large sum of money for the troubles she suffered. The case was so monumental because it set a precedent for online defamation, and effectively made Internet slander a serious offense. Ms. Scheff was compensated so generously because the legal system wanted to make an example of the case, letting people know just how serious an online offense can be. Now she is dedicated to protecting and helping teens and their families get through rough times with ease and compassion, and uses her own experiences as a foundation for advice.