Family Education passed us by. The results have been devastating. Can anyone relate?

I tend to be a straight shooter when giving my take or suggestion of what I would or would not do. I think it was totally absurd to ask your son to go to a therapy session 24 years later because of what you believe to be his failings in managing his life today.

Time for a reality check…what’s going on has little to no bearing to your hospital stay 24 years ago and more based on the interactions you are having with him and his family today. There is no choice if he is committed to his family…his fiancé and daughter come first and you get the meager left over.

I would kick my son’s butt if he didn’t consider me the extended family with his first and foremost responsibilities toward his immediate family…his wife and child. If you want any relationship with him or your grand daughter…it’s time to grovel and kiss her *** or just not have contact, your choice.

I can understand if you want to base your whole life around your illness…your choice, but don’t make him do the same. He has moved on and has no inclinations to want to relive it.

There isn't a lot you can do if your son does not wish to interact with you.  He may very well be blaming you for stuff that happened 24 years ago.  It is quite possible.

His fiancee is the mother of his child and she does have a right to not want you to be in the child's life right now.  As far as being rude and abusive - well, there are a lot of folks that have that personality trait.  Point is, you need to be above all that and stay calm.  It shows what type of person you are and throws the abusive derog. types off kilter.

You can't force Bipolar on folks and if they resist trying to understand it - it is their choice.  As painful as it is, just try & let it go.  A lot of folks have a "picture" of what someone with Bipolar is like.  It is very very hard to break away from that "picture" even if the truth is staring them in the face.

Perhaps taking a break for a period of time in not seeing them or speaking with them.  Let things cool down.

I'm not saying it will fix things, it may not.  However, it will help your situation in that it won't continually cause drama in your life that with your illness - you just don't need.  You can love them from afar.  Quietly and calmly remind them that you are there but let it go for now. 

Live your life in your new place, smile if you see them on the street or in a restaurant, and move on.  If you continue to push the issue you'll only get more of what you've got now.

Eventually, in time, he will want to re-connect with you.  It may just be a while to come yet.