I am the mother of 4 kids. M, is 16 and she is my "step" daughter. Ive been in her life since she was 1, she had a really hard childhood in her bio moms care. She was abused in every way possible and neglected on top of it. She witnessed abuse, she was the victim of abuse.
We tried repeatedly to gain custody, but we were denied over and over again. It wasn't until she was 12 that she disclosed the abuse and she hasn't been back to her moms since. Her story, our story with her will be posted at some point, but thats for later. Through years of therapy we have finally discovered she has RAD (reactive attachment disorder), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), suicide ideation, and is mentally that of a 10-11 year old.
Then we have L. He is 14 and has been diagnosed with DMDD (disruptive mood diruptive disorder) and adhd. He has been on the Matthews protocol for 7 years and it has helped tremendously. The first 7 years of his life were filled with frustrations and despiration for answers. We got his brain mapped my the leading doctor of the disorder and saw that his imigdala was overfiring and his hippocampus was completely dormant. Now that he is going through puberty, he may be able to lower, or get off all medications.
A is 13. She was recently diagnosed with depression. I have no doubt it is a direct cause from living in our house of chaos and the verbal abuse by her sister. We have also discovered self harm and suicide ideation.
Then the baby. C is 10 and has extreme ADHD as well as food texture aversion. He is medicated for his ADHD but his food aversions are a daily struggle. Weve had him in food therapy for it but it didnt help. He is slowly, now at 10, attempting to try things. I swear this kid can nip off the smallest amount of a new food that the only way to see it would be a microscope. We call him "panic" because he will have a panic attack at the slightest thing. Theres a cloud in the sky, he panics over a possible tornado or flood. Those kinds of things.
Then we have me, mom. I have adhd and am unmedicated for that currently. I also suffer with alopecia. I have multiple back and neck issues and have suffered with migraines since I was 4. I am currently seeing a rheumatologist to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. My other job is technically professional organizing, but really I prepare peoples things for auction after they have passed or if they want to downsize. We usually deal with families whos loved ones have passed.
Dad is B and he has hidrentanitis suppurativa, and back issues as well. In face, he just underwent an laminectomy. He works a corporate job for a big oilfield company, and has for the last 15 years.
We also have a dog, a budgie and a guinea pig.
We moved to Texas from North Dakota 5 years ago. The closest family we have lives in Oklahoma and that I my husbands dad, whom we finallly found 5 years ago. Believe it or not, he and his wife are great people and wonderful grandparents.
We have no contact with my husbands mother.
My family lives in North Dakota.
