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THE ANGEL MAIL BAG....
I am a coordinator of an after school program for inner
city children. It is operated by our church. Many of the children have emotional problems, among them are add/adhd
children and bi-polar also. My own son, who was diagnosed as adhd in 4th grade, is now 24 and is in his second year
of college. I never gave up on him. We, as parents are our child's first advocates in helping them overcome obstacles
and have the responsiblity to give them confidence to succeed and be happy and productive in life. I fought long
and hard with the public school system to educate them on children's learning disabilities. I have been a member of
CHADD for many years. I commend you for creating such a beautiful site for both parents and children of this disorder.
Our children need love, not ridicule. I look forward to using your site in the future and will pass it on to my colleagues,
volunteers and parents. Praise God and God Bless you for your wonderful work. PS - the music is beautiful.
With gratitude,
Grace Hall
Grace, every time I get an email like yours, it just affirms
to me that what we do here and what we offer is priceless. These children are gifts from God - they just need more help
to learn how to "fly".
Thank you for your kind words -
Jen:)
JUST THOUGHT I WOULD KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOU TO LET
YOU KNOW HOW MY OLDEST SON TAYLOR IS DOING.I HAD TO TAKE HIM TO CHILDRENS ER ROOM 5-16-04 WERE THEY HAD RAN NUMEROUS TESTS
ON HIM AND THEY HAD TOLD ME AFTER ALL TESTS WERE COMPLETED THAT MY SON HAS SERVERE BIPOLAR AND THAT IF HE WASNT
PUT ON MEDS. THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD GET WORSE AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SEND HIM TO GREEN HAVEN ( a place were people
who try to kill themselves go). I BROKE DOWN RIGHT THERE IN FR0NT OF THE DOCTOR AND I DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO. WELL THEY HAD
PUT HIM ON RISPERDAL ( 0.25MG)2XS DAILY TO SEE IF THIS MED WOULD WORK. I THANK THE LORD ABOVE FOR GIVING ME BACK THE SON I
KNEW WAS IN HIM. HE WENT FROM BEING A PROBLEM CHILD AT SCHOOL TO BEING ONE OF THE TEACHERS HELPER WHICH I THOUGHT I WOULD
NEVER GET A CHANCE TO SEE. HE HAS ALOT MORE FRIENDS NOW AND HE EVEN SMILES ALOT MORE. HE HELPS ME AROUND THA HOUSE AND EVEN
ASKS IF THERE IS ANYTHING I NEED HELP WITH..FOR ONCE I CAN SAY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO GO OUT
IN PUBLIC WITH MY SON AND PEOPLE NOT LOOK AT ME AS IF IM A BAD MOTHER FOR THE WAY MY CHILD IS ACTING BUT, THEY LOOK AT ME
AND SAY " YOU HAVE A VERY WELL BEHAVED SON THERE" THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD INSIDE. I PERSONALY WANNA THANK YOU AND
THE OTHER MOTHERS WHO HAVE GIVEN ME THE STRENGTH TO HANG IN THEIR AND NEVER GIVE UP FOR THERE IS HOPE AND LIGHT AT THE END
OF EVERY ISSUE IN YOUR LIFE. YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE IN WAYS YOU MIGHT NEVER KNOW AND IM HONORED TO KNOW YOU AS A FRIEND.
Nona,
Thank you for updating us on your son. I am so glad despite being
afraid and filled with worry you took him to the hospital. I have heard over and over again - when true intervention
starts, the healing of this illness really does begin, but like just about everything in this life, things take TIME.
Read up on everything you can get your hands on about Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. Keep advocating for him everywhere
- most importantly and the biggy - school. There will be ups and there will be many downs, but that's a part of the journey.
Consistency, advocacy, having knowledge of all areas about this illness will get you far and your son will can only benefit.
Please become a member of the Child Adolescent Bipolar Forum and get the book, The Bipolar Child by Dr. Dimitri Papalos, MD.
Keep going like you have and when fear starts to hit, that's when you become stronger....following through is key.
Hugs,
Jen
Christol, Mom to Correy, 11 years, Sarah, 6 years
who also happen to be our first girls in the album and Tyler, 7 years had this to say:
I once again thank you for all the wounderful info
..I hope you do not mind I plan to pass your info and website on to parents and school. The school is looking forward to the
info to pass to help others....thank you hope to hear from you soon..Christol
Hello Christol,
Well, I want to thank you for sharing the information
to your school and to others. The more information about ADHD and Bipolar Disorder which are so misunderstood along
with many mental illnesses our children and adults suffer is so important and so beneficial. Everyone from a friend,
to family members, the classroom teachers can really learn much and hopefully understand and have a deeper appreciation for
what the parents are trying to do to help their children and by working together, it's just a win-win situation for all involved.
The child wins when everyone works together to ensure the welfare of the child, so thank you again for passing this along
and keep passing, there is a wealth of information here for information and emotional support for parents of these precious
Angels.
Hugs,
Jen
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Donna, Mom of John (a total cutie in our album I might add)
had this to say:
My girl friend just got her pc fixed and I had
sent her what you did about John. she looked at the rest of the website too & thought it was amazing.
She also said she didn't fully understand what John was going through until she saw those
pictures all together & she saw
the rest of what you have
there. LOL, we are better than like sisters but she thought I was overdramatizing because I'm so
overwhelmed with
his learning disabilities, and other things
in my life. Bless
YOU Jen for all your hard work in creating &
maintaining that site.
hugs
donna
Hi Donna,
Well, you hit something that is so important and that is, how
wonderful it would be if people would take a little time out of their life to find out about what ails our children, to better
understand why our kids do the things they do and understand it is and can be a very stressful life for the child and evenly
for the parent as well. It is very hard to take the critisism of a friend, a family member, a teacher and a total stranger
when they have absolutly no idea about anything of the illness/illnesses. Thank you for telling me someone who means
very much to you - got it! It's great when people who do not live your life, have the challenges you have with
your child and all that goes with it do start to understand what you go through and what your child goes through.
God bless them for every person who does take the time to understand and educate themselves about the illness/illnesses.
Your friend should be commended . :)
Hugs,
Jen
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Andrea in New Hampshire, Mom to Angel Christopher, Bipolar/ADHD, currently takes: Depakote
ER, Adderall XR, Risperdal and Lexapro
comments:
Jen-thanks for once again sharing Kenny & your story. You are
truly a remarkable person. I have ALWAYS KNOWN I was blessed to have Christopher-the joys, challenges, good days &
bad days, the achievements & failures, but you have really shown me just how lucky I am to have him.
Thanks
((((hugs))))
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
Thanks so much for the kind words. Andrea is speaking of December's Newsletter which you can find on the "article"
page if you have not already read it. When I started this website and newsletter I had and still have two goals in my
heart and soul and that is to let parents know they are NOT ALONE and there is a WEALTH of information out there for us to
help our children and to better understand ADHD but in particular, Bipolar Disorder. If we do not reach out, who will?
If we do not try our best to help our own children with this very misunderstood illness who will? So, thank you again
Andrea. It makes me feel good knowing that what I have been trying to do here is exactly how you had perceived it.....from
the heart.
Hugs and God Bless,
Jen:)
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Patty of Iowa, Mom to Katy, 81/2 years, Trevor, 6 years and little Jessica who will be 3 years old
in January comments:
Jen - Wow I am amazed at your web site! Lots of information, easy to use, and gives parents
a positive outlook. A friend gave me the link.
My oldest child Katy whom is 8 1/2 has been diagnosed ADHD & ODD for two years. Since August this
year is when everything turned upside down. She was put in the hospital for only five days, but then she went to outpatient
after school program for six weeks, and she is now at a afterschool behavior mod program. The change that I have noticed
in the last three months is she doesn't haven't to be put in a physical restraint a few times a day anymore, now it is once
every two or three weeks. But as far as listening to me and following my directions, we have gotten nowhere. When
she started this most recent program, they use a light system and do processing on the childs behavior with the child.
I instituted this whole concept at home too. I have mastered being consistent, but yet the most place she has problems
is at home. It is so upsetting when I can't see the light at the end of this tunnel.
I also have two other children. My son is 6 years old, he is dxed ADHD & Night Terrors, for about
1 1/2 years. Not long after my oldest daughters change in behavior, my son then started mimicking
her. Three weeks ago I enrolled him into the same program she is in.
My other child is Jessica, she is 2 1/2 years old, and not diagnosed with anything but awnryness!
Well, thank you for listening and thank you again for your web site!
Hi Patty,
Wow, thank you for the compliments. I have put my heart in this and how you feel about my website
is exactly what it is intended for. To give parents hope, a place to get information and to know they are not
alone in this journey with their children.
Jen
(update on Katy):
to update you. My daughter had a psychiatrist appointment today. They decided to up her Straterra
dosage more. And the doc also agreed that Play Therapy would be a great addition to our already chaotic life to help
find a solution/help. I have been asking for a referral from tons of people (i.e. her teacher, school counselor, previous
psychiatrist, family doc, and the director to the program she is in) and they all did not feel it would be beneficial for
her. Yet none of them know what I go through nor what type of life we USED to live. So I am happy about that!
Thank you again!
That is right! No one knows what you or "we" go through day in and day out with our
special angels! On the one hand we love them with all of our hearts, on the other hand - the frustration level we go
through because of their illness, I know can be sometimes unbareable. The fact that you kept on top of it and kept asking
and pressing for answers and help as you have stated above, only makes you stronger and a WONDERFUL parent advocate for your
child! This is how we NEED to be. No one else can care or look after our children better then ourselves and we
have to prove that each and every day. You've been doing the right thing! I am glad to know you and all
the parents I have come into contact with who fight for their children, because we have NO OTHER CHOICE!
Hugs,
Jen
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Dafni in CA with 7 Angels, Dakota, Dauson, Dalton, Dallas, step daughter's: Keri, Erika & Tawny
asks the question:
"Where would I find a support group in my area ? How would I go about doing that?"
Hi Dafni!
Easy. Now this is what I do. I just put Bipolar Support Group and then the city and state you
live in and click on "go" for your web browser and it should come up with a slew of places for you to start you search.
Update: Dafni found a support group just 15 minutes away from where she lives!! That
is TERRIFIC!!
Hugs,
Jen
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MORE:
Kelly in N. Carolina near Ft. Bragg
Angel is Wayne, 101/2, ADHD and has 4 other children, 2 girls and 2 boys, 14, 12, 10 and 3 years
of age writes:
Hi Jen! I thank you sooo much for setting up this beautiful & knowledgeable
web site. I just have some ques. for you. My son was diagnosed Aug. 2000-2001 with ADHD. (I'm stressed out, cant' remember)
He's been on many different meds. Then his pdoc was looking into him possibly being Bipolar.
When I tell him to go to his room, he'll trash the room , slams door, yells &
screams, talks back, most of the time, not always, and other times when he's mad, he yells or pushes his little sister around.
He will go outside and beat the tree with a bad just basically destructive. He gets mad quick. They say it's harder
to diagnose a child with BP than an adult. I guess that's why his pdocwas waiting (not long). He now is on Adderall
(highest dose and Abilify 5mgs. He also takes Seroquel at night for sleeping. My ques. is, in your opinion & knowledge
of BP in kids....does this sound like it to you??? And also, before he started new meds, he seemed to always be crabby (look
on his face) The meds have helped a lot. So far, his grades are poor in school & I'm in the process of getting him
tested for an IEP. I am BP 2 myself.
Kelly, N. Carolina near Ft. Bragg
Wayne, 10 1/2
ADHD
4 other children, 2 girls and 2 boys, 14, 12, 10 and 3.
Hi Kelly!
Thank you for writing me. First of all, if you have not already bought it yet....please by
all means get the book, The Bipolar Child by DR. Dimitri Papolos. I know this will be a huge help to you.
When Kenny was still just diagnosed with ADHD and had been on many medications due to the first DR's
lack of expertise in my opinion and knowledge about BP in children, when we switched to another DR the first session we had
with him, he said he thought possibly Kenny had early onset BP. A year later which included a hospital stay, we
have a firm diagnosis and Kenny's medications are Adderall, Risperdal and Lithobid.
Lithobid (Lithium) has totally changed my son's life for the better. Lithium is a mood stabilizer.
I am really glad to see your DR is giving early onset BP consideration. Since you , yourself
have Bipolar Disorder it stands to reason of the possibility of your child having it as well. I
am not an expert, so I cannot say whether or not your son has BP or not but I can say that the more information you gather
and you write down about your son's behavior, the more books, forums, and overall information you can get your hands on will
help to state your case to your Dr on looking into the possibility a little more.
After I had bought the book, The Bipolar Child and started going through the checklists in there,
I found my son, Kenny ALL OVER IT. Did it mean at the time, I was totally right about him being BP? Well, no,
but a Mother's instincts are rarely wrong and although I hold no PHD, I couldn't toss aside all the things that matched up
with my son in that book. So, I know you like your son's DR so ask a lot of questions, buy the book or you can probably
even find it in your local library and keep notes on your son's behavior every day, report anything odd or if he is getting
more and more destructive.
Since your DR is veering that way about early onset BP, just keep telling him the truth of what is
going on and buy that book. :)
Sounds like the peices of the puzzle for your son are starting to form. I hope what I
have said here helps.
Hugs,
Jen
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