Residential Treatment Made us Stronger
In May, Margaret shared the agonizing decision her family made to place their son William in residential treatment. He was admitted on March 13th. Two hours away from their home. They knew he may be there for six months or more.
Margaret gave us a glimpse inside her world. A world that many parents don’t understand.
“It was unfathomable just a mere year or so ago that I would ever consider “sending my son away” for treatment. He’d be with people we didn’t know. We wouldn’t know what was happening on an daily basis. It seemed too hard, too cruel, too long. UNTHINKABLE.” Click HERE to read part one of their decision.
Then, in June, she wrote about the adjustment.
“Surprisingly, I find myself enjoying the “easy” parts. The day to day with just the two other boys, going to my sons baseball games, going out to eat and running errands. I can tell my body and mind are settling down. They are getting used to anxiety free moments.”
She told us how she had to learn how to be a mom again. Her words were real and beautiful.
Now today, she has shared a new update with us.
This boy. He will be home in 11 days. How have almost 6 months gone by?
How have I survived all those days without me kissing his sweet cheek?
How have I survived without looking at his handsome face, hearing his voice and tousling his blond hair?
Part of me wants to write, “ I have no idea!”
But that would be untrue. We all have to give ourselves more credit for our journeys. Yours is different that mine and may have nothing to do with your child or mental health. But you have one.
I know I got through this storm because I’m strong.
Because my husband is strong and we are strong together.
Because I went to therapy.
Because we could no longer live in that storm and had to take serious action to get to a place where it was calm and sunny.
Because I can do hard things and I know that storms don’t last forever.
Because of my love for my son.
I know we did the right thing. William is stronger now.
He didn’t know why there was a storm at all and he didn’t want to be in it anymore. He is a hero who has been doing some amazingly hard work.
And now he gets to come home so I can tousle his hair, hear his laughter and kiss those sweet cheeks.
Written by, Margaret Axe
Margaret is the proud mama to William, an eleven year old boy with autism, ADHD and anxiety. Margaret shares the journey of her sweet, tow headed, sensitive boy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hopeiswhatmatters/. She hopes her page educates, inspires, reduces stigmas and provides hope for all those who love someone with a mental illness.
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