Jakes and I have been operating in crisis mode for a while now. Things really blew up a week or so ago but in a way it was a good thing. Because now we as getting all kinds of help. Help I have been begging for.
I was recommended to enroll in a program called Mobile Response. They are a crisis intervention service. I can call them 24/7 to get help and they will send someone out to the house to de-escalate things if necessary. By being enrolled with them, they will also send someone out to the house to do a needs assessment for us. The therapist would then recommend and case manage us until we got into the services.
I called Mobile Response last Sunday morning because Jakes was melting down and saying threatening things to me. Mel came out to the house and did a little needs assessment as well as talking to Jakes and myself to make sure everyone was calm.
On Tuesday, Mel called to say that she was recommending an 8 week family stabilization program. A therapist will come to the house and work to stabilize us once a week for 8 weeks. It's hopeful that after that, we will be stable enough to enter traditional therapy and/or parenting classes.
On Thursday, the therapist contacted me to schedule our intake appointment for tomorrow. When they say they are going to offer services, they don't mess around with getting them started!
On Friday, I met with the Mobile Response team for what they call a Family Planning meeting. This is a pre-planning meeting where we decide who to invite to the actual meeting. At the meeting we will review everything that has been going on with us and try to come up with a plan to meet all our needs.
Last week, I sat in Val's office, sobbing my heart out over all this. I came out of Val's office with things to do for me. I was to contact me Dr to see about going on anti-depression meds, which I did. I just started them but I am feeling better already. I also feel like I have more patience with Jakes. We also realized that I have a lot of resentment to deal with. Resentment towards Jakes and his disabilities, towards A/H for having the ability to walk away from being a parent, and oh so much more!
Once the in-home services are in place, I will continue seeing Val on my own to work on ME.
Another thing I did with Jakes is I took him off the Concerta, which is a stimulant medication. He is still on Intuniv and seems to be able to function on that alone. Once he was off the Concerta, a lot (not all!) of his hostility and anger has disappeared. I am hoping we can work on that more in the therapies we will be having.
So that's my story. Its been a rough couple of weeks and I am hoping that this was rock bottom and we can only go up from here.
nice. i am glad you are getting the assistance...we all need it at times but i think it will be good for both of you...
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you have someone to call when you need help. Sounds like you are taking steps to get to a better place.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a Wonderful Program. If more areas had assistance like this, I believe family violence, runaways, etc. could be stopped.
ReplyDeleteYOu are a great parent!
Keep your chin up. I don't have even half the challenges with Thor and life that you've got going on and I struggle. Being a parent of a sn kid is the hardest thing in the world, especially an aspergers kid.
ReplyDeleteYou are loved by loads of people. I'm so glad the medication is helping already. There is NOTHING to be ashamed or embarrassed about with taking it or seeing a therapist. I was in therapy for 6 months and I'm finally able to say, it was the best thing ever for me.
You need to take care of you. Jakes is important, but so are you. Never forget that.
Hugs and if you need to vent, rant or rave, send an email. I'm always here if you need me.