Blog Archives
My Mom’s IEP Needs an IEP
I know that sounds redundant. But in everything you do that old adage “When you fail plan, you plan to fail.” applies. A blogging series is no exception. I think both my intended guest and myself blew us off forgot about today. When we scheduled it weeks ago neither of us considered this was Easter weekend. Oops.
I think the open format of write-whatever-you-want-and-call-it-an-IEP is intimidating for some and I really want to to steal your tricks learn what makes you a great special needs mama. So I’m going to come up with a list of questions and turn this into a interview type series.
So….what should I ask? If you have a great question leave it in the comments and I’ll add it to my list.
On a slightly unrelated note I have an award to bestow. As you all know I am real big on kicking stigma to the curb. Living with mental illness is difficult in and of itself. Feeling like you are shunned and stereotyped by society adds unneeded burden to one’s shoulders. The more we talk about the mental illness that effects our lives the more we shed light and add humanity to this issue. Real people, real problems. Not basement dwelling hunchbacks designing pipe bombs and eating jordan almonds.
And you know what’s amazing? Anyone can help wash away stigma. Old or young. Even if they’re young and living with mental illness themselves.
And do you know someone young with a mental illness who speaks up and tries to wash away stigma? I do.
When she’s not driving me crazy (no pun intended) or busy charming friends and family, LeBella is working on her blog, Silly-licious Princess. There she share’s her experiences, fictional stories, poetry, songs (written and sung) and artwork. She wants grownups to have an inside look at how a kiddo with bipolar disorder thinks and feels. She hopes that by sharing she will help her readers better understand the child in their life who is living with this. And so I pass on to my LeBella:
And last but not least, remember tomorrow is Bipolar Tuesday. The topic is open; come link up any post you have about raising a child with bipolar disorder.
Much love, Ragers!
Bipolar Tuesday: Inpatient
The Friday morning that LeBella was put into the phosp was as hectic as most had been lately.
LeBella had been exceedingly agitated everyday and the last few weeks before that had been the hardest for her.
We sent the boys off to school and headed to her pdoc appointment. She huffed and puffed the whole way there and I was relieved when we were able to go straight into the office without waiting. (The longer we have to wait the grumpier and less cooperative she becomes.)
Unfortunately it was all down hill from there.
She’d never had one of her rages at the office before and I think the pdoc was surprised at how quickly she could escalate. She was transported from the pdocs office straight to the children’s crisis and stabilization unit at the psychiatric hospital.
Separating from her was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I wasn’t allowed to stay and she had to. She was Baker Acted. I had no say on if she stayed or went home, or how long she would be there.
Even knowing it was in her best interest didn’t alleviate my guilt. Over the years I have reassured many other mom’s they were doing the right thing in this position, they shouldn’t feel guilty and they should take this time to relax and rest.
I’m sorry.
Yes, it is true. Getting your child the medical help they need when they need is the right thing to do.
You should not feel guilty for helping your child.
And you should rest and prepare for the homecoming.
But I didn’t know. I didn’t know just how heavy your heart was.
I didn’t know your house was now too quiet.
I didn’t know your arms felt so empty.
Her stay was relatively short (and ineffective) but it was the longest 4 days of my life.
I was able to talk to her on the phone a couple times, the defeat in her voice made me question everything. Again.
They recommended that we not visit her on Saturday. They were finally able to keep her calm without additional sedatives and felt us visiting and then leaving would cause another psychotic episode.
They let her call me and tell me I was late for visitation. This broke my heart into a million pieces. I had to lie to my baby and tell her I couldn’t come see her because I was having car problems.
“Okay Mommy, I understand.” (I thought I had waited long enough to write this, that knowing she is asleep in her room would make it less painful. I was wrong)
We finally got to see her on Sunday afternoon.
There had been a lice outbreak so her hair was coated with Vaseline, making her appear much more sickly. Her eyes were large and cloudy, and her words were halted and slurred.
I wanted to grab her and run out of there.
Why doesn’t the hospital staff take any measures to make parents feel more comfortable? Are they all so cold and unapproachable?
I hardly slept that night. I kept thinking of every horrible movie I’d ever seen that depicted mental hospitals as virtual hells holding people captive with paperwork and red tape.
What if they wouldn’t let her go?
We were able to bring her home on Monday afternoon. The meds they released her on were a joke and I had to be very patient and creative to keep her calm once the honeymoon period was over.
She slept beside me for 3 nights before things began returning to normal. Or our version of it anyways.
Want to show LeBella some love? Go visit her cuteness on her blog!
Sap Happy Sunday: The International Bipolar Foundation
For 2 months I hounded you to take a moment and click to vote for CABF in the Pepsi Refresh Project. I told you how much I learned about my daughter’s illness through them and mentioned the support I found there. Because of my votes and your votes and everyone else’s votes CABF won that grant! Then the other day while cruising Twitter for the eleventy millionth time I came across another Bipolar organization asking for votes. As I read through their program information I was struck by a thought. CABF is relevant and helpful to us now. But as LeBella gets older it is organizations like The International Bipolar Foundation that will become invaluable to us. And I decided I need to make an effort to support these programs now so they will be available and strong when she needs them.
I don’t want LeBella to ever feel like she is alone with her illness. I want her to be educated and networked. I want her to know that besides her family and friends, there are real people out in the world who care about each other, even if they’ve never met. So, my lovelies, will you take a moment each day, for LeBella and cast your vote? All it takes is a click or a text.
Hello everyone!
Our Pepsi Refresh Project idea “Print & distribute a book 2 promote Healthy Living w/ Bipolar Disorder” has been approved, and is up and ready for your vote!
Vote everyday, in 3 different ways:
1. Refresh Everything Webpage: http://www.refresheverything.com/healthylivingwithbipolardisorder
2. For texting: Text 104955 to Pepsi (73774)
3.Vote on FACEBOOK http://apps.facebook.com/pepsirefresh/idea/set?auth_token=87c3293c4b1cddcdc16e988e9e605c33
Start spreading the news to your friends and family and have them vote for our idea on Refresheverything.com <http://Refresheverything.com> . Voting ends the last day of this month, JAN 31, so there’s no time to lose.
In addition, check our our website to sign up for daily voting reminders and a chance to win an iPAD!
http://www.internationalbipolarfoundation.org/pepsi-challenge
Thank you for supporting the International Bipolar Foundation!
Please note that, as of June 1, 2010, rules for the Pepsi Refresh Project have been updated to expressly prohibit proxy voting. To ensure a fair, accurate count of votes, an outside company monitors the site. Any idea that uses proxy voting, which includes but is not limited to creating multiple or dummy accounts and voting on behalf of other users, may be disqualified.
International Bipolar Foundation
www.InternationalBipolarFoundation.org <http://www.InternationalBipolarFoundation.org>
Follow us on twitter @IntlBipolar
Much love,
Bipolar Tuesday: Stifling Creativity
Did you know that people with Bipolar Disorder tend to be extremely creative and artistic? When I look at LeBella throwing herself on the floor kicking and screaming it’s hard to imagine her holding rank with the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Jim Carey, Vivien Leigh and Tim Burton. (more here)
But people? The proof is in the pudding! Er, on the paper. What I’m about to show you is a series of pictures, in order of stability. What I mean is, the first picture is from a few weeks ago when LeBella was unstable and as she became more stable her artistic abilities became…incredible. Unfortunately we have gone backwards and I cannot get her to draw anything right now, but there is a little artist hidden in that brain!!
Exhibit A: The Scribbly Mess
Exhibit B Composed Scribbles
Exhibit C Creepy Sock Monkey Face
Exhibit D The Cupcake
Exhibit E The Princess
Exhibit F The Turtle Tank-Live Subject Art
Exhibit G Gavreal-Live Subject Art
Exhibit H One Step Back Lil Alien Monkey Dude
Exhibit (crap, where are we? I?) I Lil Vampire Dude (we have a thing for vamps in this house, don't judge us) Moving on...
Exhibit...J (?) A Baby Deer
Exhibit K (still here?) This is Alex. Aren't her pink glasses snazzy?
Ok, people? I have been working on this post for hours and I have no clue what Exhibit this is but it's the last one! The Wolf, made with love for Nana!
We start seeing her new doctor in January and for that I am grateful. There is a beautiful, funny, witty, smart, and incredibly artist angel in there who is currently being stifled and smothered by Bipolar Disorder. But I’ll bring her out and the world will be that much brighter.
*I realize it is now Wednesday, people. I have been trying to get this up ALL DAY. My laptop and WordPress have not been cooperating.
I will be starting a weekly series in January called “Living in the MOMent” and I need your help! How do you make the make the most of your time with your kids? If you’re a SAHM, how do you turn quantity time into quality time? If you work, how do you make the most of the time you have? Please send your post to mommylebron@yahoo.com and use “Living in the MOment in your subject line. I will schedule post first come first serve with the first feature on January 3, 2011. You will receive a confirmation email with your post date.We Can Help Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) Win $250,000 From Pepsi!
We Can Help Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) Win $250,000 From Pepsi!
By Chato B. Stewart
CABF is competing for a $250,000 grant from The Pepsi Refresh Project during the month of November. The winners will be decided by popular vote. CABF needs your votes every day this month!
We have a chance to help the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation get a grant of $250,000. A grant just by voting for them… That is money that will go to help children who will grow up understanding mental illness – not like us, who were left in the wind to fight our own fight alone!!
They need to be #1 or #2 and right now they are #5, so with your vote… Not money, not donation, not any other service required… just click a button and vote!! You can vote 3 different ways and do it daily!!
CABF’s Goals
- Expand awareness of depression & bipolar disorder in youth
- Educate parents about symptoms and treatments
- Enlighten the public about teen suicide
- Eliminate the stigma associated with childhood mental illness
- Extend hope to families raising children with a mental illness
Every one blogging about or sharing this post will be entered to WIN A FREE Caricature! (see past caricatures at Mentalhealthcartoons.com) Just Vote and Share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Then let me know that you did (comment below or e-mail your link) and I’ll add your name to the contest. Winner will be picked Dec 1st.
Three ways each day:
3. Text 104174 to Pepsi (73774)
http://www.bpkids.org/pepsi
Related Articles
- How to Control Rages in Bipolar Children (brighthub.com)
- How to Get Your Depressed or Bipolar Child an Accurate Diagnosis (skwillms.wordpress.com)
