I found it ...............finally.

By Adam's mom Friday, April 10, 2009

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Well after over 3 months of researching, crying, discussing, talking myself in and out of it, I believe that I have found the right residential sight for Adam. I struggle so much with getting him there. He looked @ the CA sites with us. When they were not a match, I think he thought we were finished looking. We had to go out of state to find the level of care and the appropriate setting for him. I am trying to focus on the end result (about 15 months) they told me. Once he acclimates, I think he will do well. There will be a lot to do and alot of therapy- Individual, group, recreational, and family (via teleconference.) We can visit at least once every 3 months.

Like I said, my biggest worry is getting him there. He isn't going to understand why we are sending him because he doesn't completely understand the seriousness of his diagnosis. His therapist is supposed to be awesome. He will be in a dorm type setting w/ 9 other boys in what they call the "low stim" unit.

The activities are awesome. Equestrian Center, Theatre and many other options. He will

attend school at the sight in very small classes. The admissions lady told me that the kids like Adam make a remarkable change. I am praying so.

We did it.

Comments (8) | Add comment

David Robbins

4/10/09 2:44pm

How wonderful you found a nice place for Adam. He should do well. The center sounds lovely. When I first was committed at age 17 to the psych center, I was scared. After a short time I did alright. I went to school, we had alot of actitvites and the staff really cared and pushed me.

I wish you and Adam the best. Keep us in formed on his progress.

sincerely,

Dave

Adam's mom

4/10/09 2:45pm

Thanks Dave. I will

Christina Bruni, Health Guide

4/10/09 6:14pm

Hi Adam's Mom,

It sounds like a good residential program.

Of course I know you will keep in touch with him. It will be hard at first and that's okay, he will adjust. It's good that there's therapy and activities while he's living there.

I wish you and Adam all the best.

Feel free to write in and let us know how it's going if you want to.

Regards,

Christina

C.L.

4/14/09 12:22am

I'm praying for you and Adam also...All the best to you. It sounds like he is going to a real nice place. Sometimes we have to let go a little bit to help them get better. I know you will miss him.Good luck to you...With love..C.L.

Adam's mom

4/14/09 12:55pm

Yep Letting go is going to be hard. We have spent sooooo much time together since he came home from the hospital last May. I feel like all I have done is manage his appointments, presriptions and just be there for him all day. He probably needs a break from me too. I plan to fill my time w/ exercize and some spring cleaning and painting.

C.L.

4/14/09 1:50pm

Good for you. You need some time for yourself or you burn out. I told my Daughter that. It is her son(20) that has Scz. It is very trying. He became aggressive. That worried me. I told her to have a lock on her door and she does. Now he is getting injections and it has helped. It is very heartbreaking , sometimes funny, the things that happen, but never boring. How old is your son? He has Scz? We are new to this. He has had it about 3-4 years. He got arrested for resisting. he was wandering the streets at an odd hour, stopped by the cops. Now he is court ordered to take meds. in front of Mental Health people. It is very hard to see him like he is and also to wonder if he will ever recover or be able to maintain and hold some sort of job. When is he going to start treatment? Is it far from you?

Adam's mom

4/14/09 4:52pm

C.L.

My son is 16. I am very heartbroken. I can't think of anything more painful than a child being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Some days I think it would be easier to lose him to cancer or something with finality to it. Sorry if that sounds horrible, but is horrible to watch him suffer from the confusion and frusration that he has.

On the brighter side, I do see improvement. He is becoming clearer. His break was last May. he was still 15 yrs. old. As I mentioned. I have done this caretaking for a year. it is tiring, but he can't help it. He has a tutor and teacher that come to our home, a psychiatrist and a psychologist. That pretty much sums up my week. I fit walks w/ my girlfriends in as often as possible. They are supportive, but nobody can really get it and I hope they never have to.

Adam is very sweet. He is med compliant. I am hoping the treatment willl help him with his socal skills and and his anxiety. He was anxious before sz so you can imagine now.

They first thought it was drug psychosis, but now think it is sz brought out by marijuana. His low confidence drew him to the wrong crowd. Looking back, I wish I would have dealt more with his anxiety when he was younger, but he hated any attention being put on it. If only I had a crystal ball....

I cannot, as I said imagine what I'm going to do w/ myself after a year of this caretaking. I still have a 12 year old @ home who is very bright, active, enthusiastic and busy.(has type 1 diabetes) I guess I'll do some more volunteering. I plan on taking myself to Adam's therapist once he is in his new school. I think I deserve the luxury. This is probably the hardest thing I will ever have to do, but it is an opportunity that I must take advantage of for the sake of his future. I probably cry 4 to 6 times a day over this, but suck it up and keep myself busy knowing that is for his best interest.

Thanks for responding. This site has been my therapy for a few months now. Thanks for "hearing" me out. If your daughter wants to "talk" tell her to feel free.

This is one of life's challenges that you never could have imagined. Adam's therapist said it wasn't in the video that I played in my head of who my son would become. I know a great person is in there who can teach us all an awful lot. I will never give up on him.

Kathy.

C.L.

4/15/09 5:34pm

Boy do I ever feel for you. Keep the hope though. We can't predict the future but we need hope to live day by day with Sz. It is totally heartbreaking. I think because we feel so helpless. I really get it only because I'm dealing with it. it is a devastating feeling. Sometimes you just have to sit back and take a breath. Shay, my Grandson, stopped taking his meds. so he is not compliant sometimes and that is BAD! He needs to get back on right away. It's a downhill slide. He also did Marijuana, heavily, I think. I didn't know that had anything to do with it.What do you know about that? One thing I told my Daughter and I also want to relate to you is this: Don't focus all your attention ALL the time on the Sz. kid and forget that the other one is also in need of your care and love. I see this happening and it disturbs me. It is easy to do since all the commotion is about them.You would benefit from therapy. I know I need it too and I'm not as close as you being the Grandparent. It is the worst. My Daughter will not go to therapy. She just says no. She is an alcoholic though so that may be the reason. I just feel so bad for you and everyone dealing with this but it does help to talk about it. I hope you are good today....All my love goes out to you....Candy

I found it ...............finally.

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