I am so happy to report that following the publication of the article on this blog, media interest, and support the story has a happy ending. Jennifer and Stephen have been reunited with their ten-year-old daughter. It was a wonderful moment that made even the most jaded of the advocacy world have tears in their eyes. It reminded us why we fight this battle against the stigma of mental health. The call came on Friday evening after the local media had accompanied the parents on an attempt to visit the child. The parents appeared to be denied their legal right to visit their own child during the prescribed times.
After months of court battles, filing petitions and mental stress that would have beaten down the strongest of parents these parents are able to sleep knowing their daughter is back where she belongs. They know that it will not be easy to raise this child, but feel that they are up to the challenge. Congratulations and remember you are never alone.
All I really want to add is that God or some greater force gives us these children who are bipolar. Some of us can follow the family tree and know we are not the first in the family to travel this road, some have adopted a child and never knew their dream would turn out like this. What we all need to remember is that we were chosen for this challenge and the way we complete it will show our true worth. You can bury your head or you can rise to the challenge.
Most of the children I meet have an incredible side to their personality that when nurtured can grow and flourish. This is what we must all remember when we say we can't do this one more day. Somehow we find the strength to go on. Support groups like DBSA have helped many find that strength because they have been there and they won't question your parenting skills, but help you fine tune them. You can in turn can find the beauty in your child and help them to flourish.
A child is never so dysfunctional that they should be given up on. If you are perpetuating dysfunction that you learned in your family setting, get help. Reach out and you will find a therapist or an organization to guide you. Your child, no matter what the diagnoses, deserves your very best effort and then some. These children are the future leaders of America.
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2 comments:
Bravo, what a happy ending indeed,for the parents and child. I will pray all will go well for them and they will continue to seek help for them selves and their daughter. They are so lucky to have an organization like DBSA to turn too for help and support. Keep up the good work, God Bless you and yours.
AS the Grandmother to this child...and the mother,of the mother to this child, I am very happy you were there to support Jennifer in whatever way you could...The story Julia wrote was great! Thank you. I've always been proud of how Jennifer searched out everything she could to self educate herself in this disorder. Surprising to me, was how Jennifer had doctors asking for info Jennifer had searched out. Tells me, alot of these doctors need to know much more about this bi-polar disorder, as to help more kids & their parents. At first all the Doctors wanted to do, was sedate the girl, into sleep, waking up in time to be knocked out again." Jennifer had to insist.... Make my child a funtioning child.... and help me to know how to handle her and this illness...." Parents.... You must stand up for your children... and help others to learn. Thank You for your site.....
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