Welcome to Max’s World
For now, though, his 18th birthday is a long way off. The Blakes are focusing on making it to his 11th. They have found things to look forward to. "We have Max for better or worse, and there's a lot of worse, but there's a lot of better, too," Amy says. "I'm really lucky because I have a kid who can hug me and tell me he loves me, and there are a lot of autistic kids at Manville whose parents never get that. Through all the tears and the hitting and the 'I hate you,' I get to hear 'I love you'."
There was a night last month when Max was calm, and after he finished his homework, he curled up in an easy chair with Amy. She was reading him a book, and although it was only 7:45 his eyelids were fluttering. Eventually he began to whine, and Amy asked him if he was about to start a fight. "Probably," he said. "Let's just get it over with." But he didn't fight. Instead, he was quiet for a few minutes, then he looked at her and said, "Your heart is the size of the world." What he may not realize now, although he surely will someday, is that it has to be.
© 2008
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Member Comments
Posted By: JGZ04 @ 05/30/2008 11:41:18 AM
Comment: Obviously you are parents who TRULY LOVE YOUR SON and will stop at nothing to continue to learn how to help him! EVERYONE is ready to ridicule and judge.You continue to seek all the help out there for Max.That's all you can do.You are already doing what you are suppose too as his parents don't let ANYONE tell you different! I am a mom with a husband of 21 years and 4 children from age 9-21.The third child (now 16 and a high school Junior) has followed Max's EXACT path.It was not and is not easy to this day! Straight "A" student Gifted, etc...Athletic, made no sense to us.We have researched, exhausted all our resources,gone through several programs,hospitals,medications,therapies.counseling, but will never give up on her and she knows this.
Those who do not have first-hand experience with raising a bipolar child should mind their business and stay out of what they DO NOT UNDERSTAND!
You are wonderful people don"t look down on yourselves because of guilt.There is nothing you can or should have done different.We raised all 4 of our kids the same way.You can not with a bipolar child.It is NOT the child's fault.We had to LEARN how to do things different with her but remain consistent and learn what is bipolar and what is normal behavior.
IT IS VERY HARD but you're doing great.Keep your LOVE for your marriage relationship strong this is always what suffers.Focus on the child God sent you.And remember you two LOVE each other no matter how hard it gets. DO NOT BLAME EACH OTHER. It will not help him in any way.
Posted By: jlinsdcal @ 05/30/2008 12:50:30 AM
Comment: There is a Bipolar_World group on Yahoo!
Maybe this group will fulfill the needs of Max's family.
Posted By: jeffinsdcal @ 05/30/2008 12:49:00 AM
Comment: There is a Bipolar_World group on Yahoo!
Maybe this group will fulfill the needs of Max's family.