Today I read an article in Parade, a magazine that comes with the L.A. Times on Sundays. It was about how Susan Axelrod set out to save her daughter from uncontrollable Epileptic Seizures. She got to know other moms who were in the same position, formed a non profit organization to increase public awareness and raised money for research. I'm not even sure what's already out there for kids w/ sz, but maybe I should find out. This mom found a medicine through her own research that stopped her daughters seizures. Maybe it's tme to dry my tears and fight for my son and for all of the other sons and daughters out there whose lives have been changed by this mysterious disease I'm not well known and my husband is not one of Obama's chief strategists, but I think I want this as bad as she did. Now..............How do I get started? LOL.
Hi Adam's Mom,
I suggest you start by calling the local NAMI affiliate in your area.
As you may know, not many people want to come forward because there could still be a sense of shame associated with the SZ.
Among the NAMI moms and dads you may find people whose sons and daughters have co-occurring MI and substance abuse diagnoses.
I may be wrong when I say that in some places everything's still hush-hush. That could possibly be because the parents see nothing wrong with a "little pot use" here and there. When it gets out of hand, they're in denial.
You have the courage to face what's going on.
On this Connection web site, I'm going to incorporate caregivers' and family members' viewpoints in a special blog series, so maybe you would want to be interviewed. This web site has a high number of visitors each month and that could be a step in educating people and making them aware.
Of course, the bottom line is getting your son help, and for other parents to get their sons and daughters in treatment.
We are with you on that.
Regards,
Christina