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I just wanted to let you know that Sparks has a team for parents raising special needs children ....
The team is called families with special needs spark team...
come on in...
Caeryl
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one more piece of advice...
I want to remind you that the best thing you can do is to take care of you...
I learned this the hard way...
This is difficult... I know..
but try to remember.. you are NOT alone...
Caeryl
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TNJRICHTER
2/22/07 1:26 P
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Thank you,
I will definitely check into NAMI... I need all the information I can get and it is getting harder to 'watch' her deteriate.
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NAMI stands for the National Aliance on mental illness.
they offer support groups for parents and they offer classes as well..
When my children reach the age of 18, they offer classes and support for the adult children...
This organization helped educate me so that I understood what was going on and I could advocate for my daughter...
Caeryl
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TNJRICHTER
2/22/07 1:12 P
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I can completely understand what you are saying..
I have two teens with MI.
My oldest has OCD and depression... She does take meds ..
My youngest has bipolar disorder plus a slew of other health issues...
We had to admit her to a hospital because she was a danger to herself and others...
It was not something that we did lightly... But a friend told me something that made sense to me... She said... Your daughter has an illness.. would you not place her in the hospital if it were something else?
Get her in there and get her on track... then when she gets out you can maybe get the support systems in place so that she can stay with you...
I also joined NAMI. You may want to check out that organization.. They helped us greatly...
You are NOT alone...
Caeryl
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My prayers and thoughts will be with you and your entire family. As difficult as it will be for you, try to remember to take care of yourself as much as you can right now.
Hang in there!
Kelly
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TNJRICHTER
2/22/07 12:08 P
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Thank you Kelly for your kind words. We have seeked professional therapy for ourselves also. I just got off the phone with her Social Worker and a family counselor and they informed me that since she is 15 years old and as hard as it will be to sit back and watch her fall until she is a danger to herself or to others. They do not believe that she will hurt herself except 'artificially' trying to manipulate myself and husband. I was told that if I forced her to take her meds it would be considered a physical altercation and turned over to child protection. SO here goes the stress level.
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Hi Tanja,
I don't have any personal experience to offer you right now or any advice that would be life changing. I simply wanted to say that I am sorry that you and your family are dealing with this right now. I am happy to hear that your daughter is seeking professional attention. Have you and your husband ever thought about speaking to someone professionally as well? It may help you feel less isolated while you are going through this with your daughter. My heart and prayers go out to you and we are here anytime you need to vent.
I hope this helps a little.
Be well,
Kelly
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TNJRICHTER
2/22/07 11:03 A
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Hi ya'll,
I just had to come here and vent. I am a mother to 2 teen daughter 13 (almost 14) and a 15year old who has some MI. My girls are so different.
My 13yo is very out going in sports, makes friends easily, a honor roll student a great kid.
My 15yo hates any physical activity, the light, and people in general or any athority figure. She does excell at drama and arts; when she is acting she lets her real self come out and shine. She is on medication for several 'illneses' and recently quit taking her meds again. My husband and I have tried everything to get her back on her meds and nothing works. She has slipped back to where she was a couple years ago. We have recently found out she is a cutter. She has several counselors helping with all areas of her life still. My husband is the only support system I really have. My family live in other states; the closest family member is 650 miles from me. My IL live close by but they condemn my daughter because she is not like them, they are step family to my children. I moved her 5 years ago and the only friends I have are my co-workers and I have tried to reach out to them for support but they do not want to listen to me because they have enough problems of their own. Please do not get me wrong I love my oldest daughter with ALL my heart just as I do my youngest daughter. My kids are my life but right now I am so stressed out with my oldest that I am having a hard time putting one foot in front of the other and take care of myself. I worry about her she has withdrawn from our church, imediate family, friends, started dressing in all black with black make-up, yelling, screaming, failing school and such. My husband has gone back to giving her the meds but she does not take them. some days I could put her in a mental hospital but I am not fond of that idea.
Thank you for reading and letting me get some of this off my chest. If anyone has some ideas that I am missing or have not tried please offer them over.
Thank you again,
Tanja
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