How it all began...

...and where I am today.

I got noticed for epilepsy and a mental disability when I was 2 years old. 

I went through childhood with an articulate voice and could describe what people felt like, and had medicine through childhood. Then at 20 years old, I went to a school that helped people to live independently. I was there for 2-4 years. I lived in apartments for a few years, then eventually started at The Center For Independent Futures. I was 43-44 years old then. 

Between 44-45 years old my behavior started changing on me. I was getting scared to go places, and was acting in other crazy ways. So I went to a private doctor to check out my meds. He said my meds were off balance and needed to get them sorted out. 

So we had me go through surgery [which was scary], to put in a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) inside of me. It is near my heart. I have been behaving better since I had it. My meds have been decreased a few times also. 

At age 46: I am behaving a lot better and feel more myself since I had the VNS. I am glad we did the surgery.

Getting out of depression

       Depression is a serious negative way of  thinking and feeling. People can get depressed in different ways. Examples are being more tired, being sad, not as hungry, feeling lonely, suicidal, having trouble getting out of bed in the morning or not making plans for the day. So this is a serious issue that requires more effort and work.

       If you meet a troubled person who is also depressed it is important to help them focus on their wants so you can get an idea of their strengths, abilities and thoughts on living. For example: I like to chat when I become depressed because it gets my thoughts out and makes me more energetic. So guiding these people to do things related to their strengths can help them enjoy life and move out of depression. It can be stressful to encourage and guide others because it takes more time, and they do not always listen. But it is important for them to have this supportive help so they can have a fulfilling life.

      

Education Support

Now that school has come, it is time for homework. Lately it seems more school kids may have too much homework. It can be hard for kids in regular school to tell that they have too much homework. So imagine how hard it is for troubled students to speak up when they get too much homework.

When you have to put troubled people in special classes, it can be hard to find the correct help. Also we need to help them at home. It is easy to keep reminding them to work on their hard problems, but after doing that for awhile, it can cause them to get worried and depressed.

When it comes to troubled students it takes effort and reinforcement. Also, we as parents have to accept the level they are at because that is how God gave them to you. When we help troubled students, we need to study their abilities, and qualities so when they mention their troubles; we need to empathize and encourage them to realize the students have abilities and qualities they can use while handling their troubles. Also it takes a lot of reinforcing the students to use their abilities and qualities because those abilities and qualities are the key to getting them motivated.                                                                                      

I can't imagine how hard it is disciplining, encouraging, and reinforcing your troubled child to go forward in life with their abilities. We can't blame the stress as a reason to give up. We can always get a new car but we can't bring back a life. Encouraging them helps them have a fulfilling life.