A Family Dream Come True
Today we pack up, mom, dad, brother, dog and drive back to Provo, Utah, our son is discharging from Heritage Schools Residential Treatment in two days. This is the real deal, there is no going back this time and we are bringing him home for good. Not much more to say, this is not the end but a new beginning and even though it is not the perfect discharge it is his time and I can tell that he is ready. Heritage Schools has give n us back our son and we are excited to have him home. It has been the dedication of his therapist, the unit staff and the administration that we have to thank for his continued recovery and has brought our family together again. No kid wants to be at residential treatment but my son has commented that he benefited from the program.
This may not be the perfect discharge, but perfect is not always the best. There have been those that have graduated at the highest levels and then bombed when they returned home and there have been those that were at the lower levels at discharge and did well when they returned home. It is a gamble either way, but one day they do have to leave and there has been evidence that staying longer than two years can actually be detrimental to their well being. We have come full circle and my son is coming back to his bedroom and will once again live in our home. I cannot even imagine what this will be like with two teenage boys, this is what it was meant to be. There will be adjustments for all of us to make.
We still have loose ends to tie up, as we figure out where he will go to school for his senior year. But one thing I do know, he is returning to a loving home with a family that cares dearly about him and that in and of itself is the best treatment of all. I continue to bask in my glory.
To those families that are at the beginning of the treatment process, know that one day you will have your son or daughter back and most likely will be saying the same things. I know it is true, when I first started on this road it was beyond my belief that they could help my son. So, stay with me and we will travel this next phase together, I know I will need you.
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Wow – Sounds like ALL of you are ready for the next step. What a great feeling that must be. How cool is that.
Congratulations. I hope your trip goes well and your ds settles back in easily.