Replies

Thank you for the invitation. I will try to drop by from time to time. You are very kind.

If you read my profile, you know that unless it's after work hours, or I'm at my desk over the weekend, I have very limited time on FR. Sometimes I stay late at night---when I really shouldn't----in order to be able to post!

At first I thought this thread was a manic-depression/autism/depression thread, and wondered why I would be pinged to it. Then I saw references to ADD and ADHD.

If I tried to post my experiences, based upon my 21 years with my adorable son Michael and his ADHD, it would take me forever. The only way we got through his school years was by way of Ritalin, and I thank God every day for that medication. (By the way, 5 different specialists gave the same incontroverible ADD diagnosis. In no way was this child simply "medicated for the convenience of the teachers/parents.") Ritalin was a life-saver for him and for our family. He decided he didn't want to take it any more in about the 10th grade, and against my better judgment, I let him have his way. The last 3 years in high school were a severe struggle with some very close calls, behavior-wise. But he did manage to graduate, and now--3 years later--he is making all A's and one B in junior college, after a year just working to see wht he wanted to do with his life. He is now focused, motivated and determined. His career goal is to become---get this--a schoolteacher! He has a great and compassionate heart for children, and I have no doubt that he will be a great one. He recently revisited his old junior high school. One of his former teachers later told me, upon seeing Michael after 6 years, that he could not believe Michael's transformation. He said, "I remember when Michael was crazy and restless, and he came and saw me and was so
sure of himself. I didn't even believe it was him. It was such a encouragement. I have never seen a student change that much for the better." He was really impressed with Michael.

This is the result of A LOT of prayer on Michael's behalf, of God's grace, and of the tireless efforts of a family friend, an older, wiser man who took Michael under his wing and helped him over the rough spots, one-on-one. Without the combination of these 3, I believe Michael's life could easily have been a disaster. I am one of the most grateful parents alive today!