#BPkids #tweetup Update

Hey Ragers!

Tomorrow’s the big day and I am so excited!

I will be hosting my very first Twitter Party on a topic near and dear to my heart; raising children with bipolar disorder.

I am proud to share with you these wonderful women who, like me, have been (and still are!) in the trenches. No one’s going to be preaching from a pedestal; we’re just real moms who know the reality of living this roller coaster life.

Hartley Steiner lives in the Seattle area with her husband and their three sons, two of which are on the Autism Spectrum, and in addition her oldest is Bipolar. Hartley is the award winning author of the SPD Children’s book This is Gabriel Making Sense of School, and is currently working on her second book due out Fall of 2011. Hartley chronicles the never ending chaos that is her life on the blog Hartley’s Life With 3 Boys and is the founder of the SPD Blogger Network.

Tracy (Dunham) Anglada was born and raised in southern Illinois. She graduated with honors from
Hillsboro High School. Her awards and recognition include: The Presidential Academic Fitness Award,
The National Science Olympiad Award, and induction into The National Honor Society. After high school,
she volunteered full time in a community service Bible educational work for three years. Later, Tracy
would study writing with the Institute of Children’s Literature. Her studies were halted with the birth of her
son. Ironically, it would be this child’s medical condition that prompted her to return to the field of literature.

Tracy currently resides in Florida with her husband and four children. She founded BPChildren in 2001 in
an effort to provide more resources for children who suffer with bipolar disorder. Tracy is the author of the
following books and booklets:

SWIVEL to Success – Bipolar Disorder in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide to Helping Students Succeed The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book (co-authored with Dr. Hakala) Intense Minds: Understanding Young People with Bipolar Disorder Brandon and the Bipolar Bear: A Story for Children With Bipolar Disorder Turbo Max: A Story for Siblings and Friends of Children With Bipolar Disorder The Student With Bipolar Disorder An Educator’s Guide I’ll Chart My Moods 31 Days

Chynna Laird is a writer and mother who is helping to raising awareness and understanding for SPD and bipolar disorder. She is also studying to obtain her B.A. in Psychology, specializing in Early Childhood Development.  She shares her story as the child of mother with untreated bipolar disorder.

As you all know my sweet girl, LeBella, has bipolar disorder. She was diagnosed right before kindergarten and we have been struggling ever since to find a treatment plan that works and lasts. It’s all trial and error.

We have good days and bad days. We have great days and horrible days.

Being home with her this past year has motivated and inspired me. I am back in school, working towards a degree in Psychology and I am learning to be a voice, an advocate for my daughter and families like ours everywhere. 

I would love for you all to join us on Twitter, tomorrow from 8-9pm eastern time, as we talk about our experiences, share resources, and answer questions.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Tracy, Hartley or Chynna’s books during the party please RSVP here or here.

I will also be giving away a copy of The Bipolar Child: The definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood’s Most Misunderstood Disorder by Demitri Papolos, M.D., and Janice Papolos to one reader who leaves a question here for our guests (chosen by Random.org).

The easiest way to following along is by using Tweetchat.

Remember to follow @mommylebron, @ParentingSPD, @BPChildrenBooks and @lilywolf.

Out & About with Autism

The miniature brass bell above the door chimed daintily, announcing the newest patient joining us in the stuffy dentist office that afternoon. The small, sweet gust of fresh air was a welcome respite from the musk of too many bodies crammed into not enough space.  As I looked up I barely noticed the slight, doe-eyed brunette hiding amongst the folds of her mother’s vibrant and flowing skirt. That is until, in her attempt to wedge her petite frame between her mother’s stocky legs, she managed to topple her over. The mother quickly righted herself, smoothed her hair and skirt with fluttering hands and continued her hushed conversation with the receptionist as if nothing had happened. All of the sticky, fake leather upholstered chairs in the overcrowded room were occupied so she took a seat in one of the tiny plastic children’s chairs and attempted to entertain her little girl. The small girl hid her face behind wisps of brown bangs as she pushed the battle worn books aside with tiny hands and tossed the wooden puzzle pieces to the floor.  She fidgeted and whined incessantly, working herself up until her flushed face was slick with tears. She stretched and arched her back, pulling angrily from her mother’s grasp. She threw herself dramatically to the floor, thumping her fists furiously on the worn carpet.  All the parents in the room began exchanging dirty looks and refusing to look at the pair directly. I made eye contact and smiled, hoping she read my subtle message that I understood.

“Ma’am, maybe you should take her outside.” The receptionist suggested in that bored, monotonous voice of hers. I expected the frazzled mother to slink from the room with her little ball of fire in tow, or possibly to succumb to the tears I could see glistening in her eyes. I was very pleasantly surprised when she spoke up.

“My daughter is nonverbal autistic and this is a very traumatic situation for her. She has as much right to be here as anyone else. If I were to take her outside she would very likely runoff on me. She is much safer in here.” Her voice wafer, but she sat up straighter as she spoke, seeming to find confidence in her own words.

There was a bit of tension in the room as everyone held their collective breath. Everyone was waiting for someone else to challenge her. No one was going to push her. The little girl rubbed her face on the rough Berber carpet and continued to wail in the safety of the small room. For that I was relieved.

If you would lke to place an Avon order with proceeds benefiting children with bipolar disorder please read this post. And be sure to leave a comment there RSVPing for the Twitter party!

About.com is holding a contest right now recognization people and organizations who are raising their voices in the special needs community. You can show your support by voting for:

Hartley Steiner of Hartley’s Life with 3 Boys

Tracy Anglada author of Brandon and the Bipolar Bear

CABF the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

Thank you, Ragers, for all your kind words and support.

I love you all in a non-creepy way.

Wordless Wednesday (late but worth it)

Out to lunch! That smile warms my heart!

LeBella had a great day today! The best day she’s had in months actually. We got all her lessons done early so I took her out to lunch and we went to the dollar theater. We watched the first 1/2 of Harry Potter and that was enough for her!

 

 

Bipolar Tuesday: Won’t to Can’t

The past couple of weeks have been a true test of my patience. About a week ago I had an epiphany. It is what it is. Until we get a med adjustment LeBella’s issues are unavoidable. So, how can I make this scenario less stressful for both of us? Simple, I need to change to “Won’t” to “Can’t” and go from there.

Stressor: LeBella won’t stop yelling.

Truth: LeBella can’t stop yelling. (She is a sensory seeker, noise is a favorite.)

Solution 1: I give her opportunities to stretch her vocal cords. We turn on the radio and Living room Karaoke our butts off.

Solution 2:We uses lots of silly voices, high squeaky voices and deep grumbly voices and everything in between.

Stressor: LeBella won’t stop running circles around the house.

Truth: LeBella can’t stop running circles around the house. (When she is manic she’s near to bursting with energy, I swear the air around her vibrates!)

Solution 1: Send her out back. We are fortunate to have a six foot privacy fence, that is locked from the outside. I send her out there and she runs all around until she is sweaty and panting.

Solution 2: Just Dance 2 on the WII. This game has been a Godsend! She loves the songs. After a few songs she has burned up some energy and brought her mood up a few notches.

Stressor: LeBella won’t stopping running away in public.

Truth: LeBella can’t stop running away in public. (She has very poor impulse control and is a notorious eloper.)

Solution 1: Don’t take her out. I try to leave her home when I can, even if that means I have to do shopping at night after she is sleeping. This is hard because I’m use to her being with me everywhere.

Solution 2: Careful planning. I know I can take her out first thing in the morning, she usually wakes up in a good mood.

Stressor: LeBella won’t remember the things she needs to do routinely.

Truth: LeBella can’t remember the things she needs to do routinely.

Solution 1: I made LeBella a control journal, you can read more about that here.

Solution 2: LeBella has a couple “launch pads”, these are areas that are set up ahead of time with items she will need (i.e. all her home school materials are organized and set up in a special spot).

Stressor: LeBella won’t stop touching/hitting everyone.

Truth: LeBella can’t stop touching/hitting everyone. (She is seeking sensory stimulation.)

Solution 1: I provide sensory activities for her such as shaving cream, bubble wrap, playdoh, bubbles and a variety of textured fabrics.

Solution 2: Blanket wrapping. She loves this, we spread her comforter out on the floor, she lays on it and I roll and unroll her repeatedly.(also good: crash pads, compression tunnels and indoor swings)

Thank you to the following lovely ladies for your input: @Heatherlisa82, @Jennyannfraser, @JenTroester, @tiredmommyof4, @TheRealDaniG

If you have any other issues that you need ideas for or you have more ideas for the issues listed please leave a comment!

Sap Happy Sunday: Love Drop

Have you found a way, big or small, to make a difference? We are surrounded by infinate opportunities if we just take the time to see them! Last month I told you about Love Drop and their mission to help a family every month.

Get this….

“Last month the Love Drop Team raised over $2,500 and boxes after boxes of goods and items to help Jill and her family get through a hard time in their lives (homelessness & financial worries). We did this in 1 month. All 400+ people came together and gave a few bucks each to impact one family’s life. If you participated in this, THANK YOU. The final presentation can be seen here. (It’s pretty cool!)”

And, now for February there at it again. And I feel especially drawn to this because so many of my bloggy and Twitter friends are raising children with Autism. And also? We are looking at Aspergers as a possible diagnosis added to LeBella’s mix. Either way, I feel it.

“This month we start all over again and circle around 2 beautiful kids with severe autism — Ethan & Alex. Our goal is to raise $13,000 so we can get them a highly trained service dog. And if possible, two iPads so they can speak again (they can’t even say “I love you” to their mom — these iPads allow them to get their voice back).”

Ok, Ragers (that is sooo what I’m callin’ y’all!), are you ready to help? Here’s how:

1. Join the team – This is the best way to help out, and all it takes is $1.00.
2. Join our blogger network – Blog about our Love Drops each month like I am It’s easy, it’s rewarding, and it REALLY helps spread the word (which in turn helps our families). Love Drop will give you all the content you need.
3. Give a gift or provide a service – Gift cards (iTunes would be great!), two iPads (so we can help the boys speak again!), and anything else you think could help out.

Ok, Ragers, go make magic!

Related Articles

• Love Drop: Barn-Raising in the Digital Age (prweb.com)