Housing a homeless teen

Well, a bit about me, I have two “children” one who is 21 and one that is 16. I used to work in psychiatry for teens back in the day until I got too sick to do it.  That was 10 years ago. My bipolar became worse and that was about the time I was re-diagnosed as Bipolar 1 as opposed to Bipolar 2. I loved my job and I had been very good at it and earned a lot of respect from the psychiatrists and the rest of the team that I worked with, even as my illness progressed. Eventually, it became worse though and I wasn’t as effective in my career.  I have been on disability since.

I look at my career choice as something that fate had for me as my kids have their own mental health issues (nice genes eh?).  My daughter has been diagnosed with both ADHD and Bipolar. My son, Adhd and PTSD, as well as my daughter having PTSD.

I have been able to do so much for them, because of my background, my studies at college and having my own experiences.  I have especially been able to advocate for my daughter. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to advoke as much with my son as he has not wanted help outside of the home  He had bad experiences as a child during the times that he was diagnosed and assessed and with attempts with medications.  

Both my kids have learning issues and had/ have IEP’s ( individual education plan). It has been a challenge for sure.  The care that they have needed has, at times been exhausting. My daughter has faced so many challenges but is now at the point in her life that she wants help, she wants to move on, she is now on the right medication, which I advoked for her.  She had been treated with antidepressants for years without success and that having that odd experience and odd behaviour changes, indicating to me that antidepressants were not good for her (as like me). She is now on similar meds like me, (Lamotrigine and Seroquel ) and the change is absolutely incredible with the help of therapy and DBT.   Unfortunately, my son has not agreed to any of that. 

Moving forward to the current situation, my daughter has befriended a kid who is currently homeless and was living in a vacant warehouse.  The worst place he could be in. He hadn’t changed his clothes in a month as the kid he was living at had some issues and he had not been able to take his belongings.  And now, he finds out through social media that this “friend” has been giving out his belongings to his other friends. (real shitty eh?). I decided to take him under my wing. ( Did I mention how I love teens?)

SO… my daughter and I took him to Value Village and WalMart to buy some essentials and a winter coat.  He now stays with us and will follow my kids to their dad’s when it is his week with the kids. So far it has gone really well and I hope it continues to go well and I would really like to keep him over the holidays so that he can have some stability and be around a family over Christmas as well.  I am a very optimistic person at times and I just hope it continues to be a positive thing for both my daughter and him.

I feel good about this. I love to help and damn, especially a teenager. He has his own issues as well, and I hope i can be a support to him and advocate for him.

I am a bit nuts but I have a good heart and despite some of my flaws as a parent, my kids grew up with love and support.

I hope this teen finds his way in life and i think this will help him, is my goal.  I am so happy that my kids’ dad is on board as well. I just hope it all goes ok. If I am being used, that is ok, I believe that he will gain something out of this at the very least.  He genuinely cares about my daughter and I think they might be dating now, which could complicate things but I know I can work it all out with either of them. I believe he is also genuinely grateful for what my ex-husband and I can provide. Food, clothing, a roof over his head and people who care and will advocate for him.

This is my current situation. To help another teen is a wonderful thing for me.  And teaches my kids the benefits of helping people. This is my happy place. This is what I was meant to do.

Yes, I am bipolar but that doesn’t mean I can’t love and take care of people.  I just can’t work. He is old enough that he is somewhat independent.

Did I mention that I have always wanted three kids?  I am in my happy place. This is fate.

This is what I was meant to do.

Spread your love, spread good vibes, you never know who needs it.

Categories: Uncategorized

Tagged as: adhd bipolar depression genetics homeless lamotrigine serequel teenagers

Christie F.

Welcome to my blog. I have been journal writing for years. I took a course in Creative writing and found I enjoy writing short stories and poetry. I write more when I am hypomanic or manic.
I went into Rehab for Alcohol Addictions and have been sober for fourteen years.
Shortly after I quit drinking I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2, I have since been diagnosed with Bipolar 1.
I enjoy talking about my story, for people to learn or relate. I try and have a healthy lifestyle and try to use my coping strategies. Life is just too boring without Bipolar, it is a blessing but yet sometimes a curse.
I am currently working on a book and dream of publishing one day.
I am so excited to have found Wordpress.
This is my new adventure.