Sunday, August 8, 2010

Stress and new challenges

I know not many comment on this blog and Im ok with it =) I know the important ppl read it and thats what matters. Lately its been stressful at home... we just found out Akira has ADD.........took my a while to convince myself that it was true, no parent wants their child to have anything wrong with them. Shes a sweet grl, ppl wouldnt know she has it UNLESS you have known her the whole 10yrs and have been around her 100% no its not ADHD, shes not hyper just that her attention span is shorter and is unable to concentrate long enough to learn any subject. Oni was the one who told me to get her tested, I said no.... hes been telling me for 6yrs and I keep refusing to admit that she has anything wrong.... But one day he called me and even though the conversation was LONG and upsetting...it made me realize that I had to get her tested.FIRST I did some research, for about 2 weeks I looked into it and asked questions to a friend whos son has ADD also and hes had it since 2nd grade, hes now in Jr High. I took her and she tested positive for it , the hard part? Well its accepting it and telling her father... THAT WAS HARD! he and I dont get along well or long enough to make a difference in anything. When I got the results back I called him and we were able to talk about it for a good while. He agreed for her to take a medication called Straterra.. its a nonstimulant medication and has the LEAST side effects compared to other meds. I REFUSE to give her Ritalin.. her Dr actually suggested it, I said NO. Her dad was very happy with my decision and he knows how it feels to be on it, he has ADHD, he deals with it on his own but when we were together he stayed active .I dont normally agree on meds, but we (me and Oni) have done just about EVERYTHING to help her.... I pray I made the right decision, shes been struggling in school and at home, always in trouble never listening and being pregnant it was starting to become overwhelming....I would cry wondering what else we can do... now I feel like it was the best choice for HER. I talked to her teacher and she suggested Akira be tested also at school (she encouraged me also to get her tested for ADD) the testing is to be sure she has no other learning "Gaps" and I agreed to it. I hope and pray nothing else comes up. I have explained to her what ADD is and shes been taking her medication pretty well.... only side effect is she looes her appetite for a while but I make sure she eats something ... shes a good grl and I love her to death, I hope this new path we took helps her in school so she no longer struggle....