EDITOR:
Are you the parent or primary caregiver of a child with a mental health disorder or emotional illness, such as bi-polar, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, or depression? How about a learning disorder, such as ADD or ADHD? Or a long-term physical disability or illness? Parents of these children go through a vast array of emotions, self-blame, sadness, anger, hopelessness (to name a few). How do we get through the bad times? Aside from a spouse or a friend, there are few people who truly understand what we go through.
I am one of those parents, and I am not the only one affected by these problems. Parents, siblings, relatives, teachers, friends, law enforcement, clergy, mental and physical health professionals - the entire community feels some degree of pain and frustration in one way or another, and certainly more could be done locally and nationally to help us. I would like to invite those of you who care for one or more of these special kids to an informal support group that will meet at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church in Gardnerville on Mondays from 12:15-1:15 p.m. beginning April 5. This is an opportunity to meet with parents and caregivers like yourself, who love their children but at times feel so frustrated and overwhelmed. You are not alone. Let's talk about how we deal with day-to-day problems and concerns, help one another find effective ways to cope with our blessings, learn about resources available to help us and our kids, and just listen and support each other.
If you have any questions, need directions, or if you would be willing to offer your guidance and expertise on occasion, please leave a message for Connie Jameson at (775) 781-0935.
Connie Jameson
Gardnerville
