If I could give zero stars, I would…read more
My family entrusted Turning Winds with someone we love during one of the most vulnerable periods of his life. What followed was a months-long effort to obtain answers regarding treatment, insurance coverage, billing, and records.
With the express authorization of my nephew's mother, I requested complete insurance and billing records on May 13, 2026. I was told that my request would be reviewed and that I would hopefully receive answers and the requested documentation by the middle of the following week.
On May 29, 2026, after I had not heard anything back or received the requested documentation, I sent a follow-up email. I was then informed that Turning Winds would not release the requested records, despite the fact that written authorization from my nephew's mother had already been provided authorizing me to seek information on her behalf.
Later that same day, Turning Winds CFO John Baisden instructed me to cease all communication with the organization.
To this day, I have not received the records I requested, nor have I received substantive answers to the questions I raised.
What I found particularly troubling, and what is confirmed in writing by Turning Winds' own attorney, is that as part of the scholarship application process, my nephew's mother was asked to provide a written or video testimonial regarding how treatment had benefited her son, to indicate whether Turning Winds could publish or distribute that testimonial, to indicate whether she would be willing to provide a Yelp or Google review regarding her experience, and to provide individual letters to various departments within the organization.
Turning Winds has stated that these requests were voluntary and not a condition of receiving the scholarship.
While I acknowledge that position, I personally do not believe families seeking financial assistance should be asked to participate in testimonials, online reviews, publication permissions, or departmental endorsement letters as part of that process.
The most disappointing aspect of this experience was not the insurance denial. It was the lack of transparency. Families navigating a crisis deserve direct answers, complete information, and accountability.
For any family considering this program, my recommendation is simple: trust documentation, not assurances. Request every record in writing. Preserve every email. Maintain a complete timeline of communications. Verify all insurance and billing representations independently. When questions arise, insist on documentation rather than explanations.