the sky opened up with bright light

after a decade of advocating for my daughter and she for herself, today the new doctor asked me if i heard of a "savant".

Oh yes, my daughter, he understands who he has met.

as i sit here and write this, there are tears of such relief, that it is difficult to describe, the flood of emotion, all of the places she has been, all of the trauma, the hospitalizations, the recent summer time incident of handcuffing of an innocent young woman, who was non verbal---all was acknowledged today, at the new ward treatment team meeting. this team was compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, respectful and kind. they told me my daughter has endeared herself to them, and they love her.

the doctor said the medications are not designed for someone like her.

did you read that?

read it again. after a decade, finally! we have been heard.

the doctor said trauma such as the police incident can induce psychosis in someone on the autism/PDD asperger spectrum such as my daughter.

the doctor and team are going to work for an appropriate housing situation with peers , and a top notch out patient doctor specializing in aspergers.
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my shining, witty, brilliant and wonderful daughter has finally been acknowledged and my battles for her over the years about her and the meds have been acknowledged, and on sunday we have a day pass to go outside on a walk.

needless to say, what a positive meeting at the new ward, i am thankful, very thankful for the input and interest they have taken in my daughter, and my quest for a positive discharge outcome.
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thank you to all of my readers here who have written letters and prayed, and send messages and emails, and love this way. my daughter has many guardian angels in this world, thank you.

i want to tell you, here that many, many days are grueling and many times, i felt like giving up, and the one person i was fighting for is the reason i did not. and the many people i have met over the years are reasons, and i am not giving up and will never give up. and thank you to my friend and my daughter's advocate, for encouraging me to keep focused, and for speaking up on her behalf, for her rights, what a gift.

this was truly a defining moment today, in regard to the care of my daughter and the hope given for a better future and care has been given to us and to her.

Here's to hope, let the bell ring loud and clear.

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this is a photo of the 50 year old bell i was allowed to ring over 2 years ago when i was at the time finding her a place to live in an unlocked facility as opposed to the state institution where she is now. at the time, a previous doctor had told me "she has no hope". i refused to listen. so, i went to the place where the bell is, and asked to ring it, in honor of my daughter. and it rang, it rang out across the hills. and she was not sent to the institution that time.

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today, the state institution ironically is where hope, was found. speaking up was at times an uncomfortable situation, but our voices were heard, on behalf of my daughter.

life is a circle, hope is often hidden in dark shadows, or blocked by clouds. i must write here, what i believe and always have, "one voice can and does make a difference", and many voices in a choir are heard.

rejoice! this is a new beginning. the rest will unfold as it happens. i'm living in the moment, oh yes, i am. i can't wait until sunday to go on the walk! you should have seen her smiling face when we told her.

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i love you, Linds.