Because Most Parents Can’t Relate to Your World

If you're reading this, I hope it's out of curiosity. However, if you're here because your child is in crisis, I hope my stories provide some comfort. Looking back, there are things I wish we had done differently and resources I wish we had access to. Let me clarify: I'm not a therapist but a parent who understands your world because I've been where you are sitting. When we struggled with Maddie, I wished I had someone who could relate to my experiences. Every child's journey with mental health challenges is different, and every parent's experience is unique.

Some of this content was written in 2015, and some of it has been recent. Some of these posts have been published before, but many haven’t been seen before. A lot of people have told me to write a book, but this is as close as I’ll get to that. One day, I may change my mind.

The creation of the Hopeful Horizons Fund stems from the resources I wished I had during our own personal ordeal.

It's crucial to remember that you can't help your child if you neglect yourself. As parents, our default setting is to do anything for our children. However, I urge you to take care of yourself and seek the help you need—because you will likely need assistance too. Sometimes we have to be strong, but finding an outlet for your pain is essential. It could be a therapist, a supportive friend, or a support group. Putting up your hand and asking for help is okay.

I want you to understand that this section is raw and authentic, just like the world you're currently in. I don't sugarcoat anything and won't tell you everything will magically be alright. I don't know that. It can be terrifying as hell. By the way, if profanity offends you, I apologize, but sometimes everyone wants to scream "Fuck" into a paper bag.

Buckle up! You're in for a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Remember, even the scariest rollercoasters eventually come to an end.