I have to admit I was up with the sun in order to read the Globe and Mail article on Mental Health Issues. First for the technical stuff:
- Dave is not a “Manager” at Deloitte & Touche.
- Ehren’s name is not spelled correctly
- We were in fact lucky to have been living off of Dave’s salary but what was neglected to mention was what we’ve gone without in order to keep ourselves a float
I think the series is a great idea and I am glad that I was a part of it. What I wasn’t happy to see is the fact that in my opinion I have come out looking like a behavioural case myself. I have to admit that last years school was tearful for the both of us, it was frustrating, it was maddening but it was also a learning experience. What I’m sure those who know me well enough will attest to is the fact that I am in no way a violent person and despite the fact that I was very angry at that point in time I would never resort to violence. I would never physically harm anyone in anyway.
When your child is by your side and time and time again they are put down and/or misunderstood it is human nature as a parent to raise you back up and advocate for child. The last year in retrospect has been a great learning experience and I wouldn’t be where I am today without having gone through it. My daughter would not be who and where she is today without it. That’s not saying that I’d ever want to do it again but we become who we are through experience and what an experience this has been.
I do hope that the article raises awareness of the fact that these issues are as real as the children and parents that live it everyday.
- Talk It, Breathe It, Live It, Share It
- Share
Hi, I saw the article you are talking about, and followed the link to your blog here. I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any good websites that can tell you if you have a mental problem? Because I’m 14 and I think that maybe I am bipolar, but then I start thinking that I’m just a spoiled brat who wants to be special and everything I do wrong is my fault not a desise. So do you know where I can find a test or something that I can use to find out please? Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your story with others that have or are struggling to get help for their child. We are strengthened in our own journey to gain custody of our own child, taken from us because Child Welfare decided that a 5.5 year old could not possibly have Bipolar, and that I was to blame for all of her problems.
THANK YOU
I just wanted to say, I came to your blog through the link in the the G&M article, and you certainly did not appear a behavioural case to me, reading the article. Instead, I saw a strong, courageous Mom (and Dad) who should be applauded for fighting so hard and so determinedly for Sidney & Ehren. Your son and daughter are very blessed to have you as parents.
Just wanted to commend you for all of your advocacy and hard work on behalf of your daughter, and all of the other kids out there who are handling/managing and dealing with mood disorders and other psychiatric diagnoses. I was dx’ed with bipolar disorder at 11 and more than a decade later I’m cleaning up the messes from having parents who didn’t adequately advocate for me, nor truly understand the long-term scope of the diagnosis.
What you are doing for your child will not only help her now, but help her become a functional – and more importantly, successful member of our society.
Kudos to you.
I hope you’ll come and check out my blog. I blog about my own experiences there.
~R
I’d like to first off thank all of you for your words of encouragement and support and for having the courage to share your stories on my blog. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Each one of you have moved me in your situations.
Teridragon I’m not a medical expert by any means and I do think that if you aren’t feeling right than you should talk to someone. Do you have a guidance counsellor at school that you can confide in? If that’s not an option I know where we live there is an organization that helps children and youth with different issues and I’m sure you can turn to them. Please talk to someone though. I don’t think taking any test over the internet will take the place of speaking to a qualified professional and telling them how you’re feeling. Trust yourself.
Keep checking back to the blog. I’m hoping that there will be lots more information and a great avenue for sharing. We’re all in this life together right?
Hi.
I read about you, your daughter and your blog in the Globe and Mail this saturday. I just wanted to reassure you that you didn’t come across as a violent person. If anything it had the opposite effect. Fighting for your child’s peace of mind can be difficult, with many hurdles. Good job!
Hi
I just wanted to know if there was an article on raising a child with a mental illness in the globeandmail on Sunday November 23. I have the 22,&24.
Thanks
Hello Donna,
The original article come to print and on the web on Saturday November 22nd. Today on the 24th I did an on-line forum from 1:00p.m to 2:00p.m. and next Satruday November 29th there will be a photo gallery but I believe that it is just on-line.