Joshua's Story; A Mother's Plea
Donation protected
Where do I begin? Currently Joshua is enrolled in a residential level 2 setting. What landed these extreme measures? A series of events that began when he was a child. His dad and I divorced when he was three due to my ex's drug addictions and emotional/physical abuse, straight away the behaviors manifested themselves in low self-esteem, isolation, distruptive behaviors both, at school and at home, and an emptiness that was always right under surface.
As a Mom, I sought help from everyone; therapists, our church, friends and family but nothing seemed to stick. The cold hard facts are that his dad was no where to be found due to his self-destructive behaviors. I was a single Mom, working two jobs, attaining an education from scratch and trying to be everything to everyone.
Even with my Master's in Social Work, I always thought that my child coundn't be affected with a mood disorder or mental illness, this was just a hard life but it was bound to get easier, that it couldn't happen to us. I was wrong.
Joshua's behaviors have escalated from tantrums as a child, to mass destruction as a 14 year old, 230lb teenager. He has caused physical and emotional damanage to myself and his sister; all the while in complete denial of his own responsibility and the ramification of his actions. For most of his life, his father was completely absent, until two years ago when he resurfaced and again could not sustain parenthood; Joshua's sister and I remain constant; always.
My son was 5150'd three weeks ago, finally diagnosed with major depressive disorder, althought the MD also wanted to add a mood stabilizer since bipolar disorder runs on Josh's parental side, I was relunctant. I had already found placement; a residential program that could help him; could help us. An agency that was based on the biopsychosocial model I myself had come to live and breathe by. And so as any Mother, I did what I had to do to ensure his admission.
The silver lining was through all my research this program would be covered through his insurance; I was wrong again. After his first week, I was advised that his insurance will not be covering the type of program Joshua is attending since it is out of network. My efforts to explain that all in network providers denied my son based upon eligibility criteria and two even referred the place where he was granted admission went on deaf ears.
Which brings me here, to 'Go Fund Me', where I hope to raise enough funds to support Joshua's program since I am still a single Mom, living pay check to paycheck regardless of my degree. I have recieved a $7000.00 scholarship (leaving the remaining balance of $17K) from the program which I am grateful for.
Joshua's illness has been a process, his diagnosis a relief. It has progressed and become unmanageable within our home, our relationships and for his well-being. Like any Mother or parent, all I want for my children is to be happy in life, to love and be loved, responsible with a kind and geniue heart; a heart at peace.
I am a prideful person my nature. It has taken alot for me to process through my pride, so I beg everyone of you to pass Joshua's story on, bring awareness and if you can, please help me make Joshua's goal. It has always been my belief that it takes a village to raise a child. If you cannot donate, I am thankful regardless and ask that you pray for Joshua and our family. I will be updating as I recieve news. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me directly.
Eternally Grateful,
Christina
As a Mom, I sought help from everyone; therapists, our church, friends and family but nothing seemed to stick. The cold hard facts are that his dad was no where to be found due to his self-destructive behaviors. I was a single Mom, working two jobs, attaining an education from scratch and trying to be everything to everyone.
Even with my Master's in Social Work, I always thought that my child coundn't be affected with a mood disorder or mental illness, this was just a hard life but it was bound to get easier, that it couldn't happen to us. I was wrong.
Joshua's behaviors have escalated from tantrums as a child, to mass destruction as a 14 year old, 230lb teenager. He has caused physical and emotional damanage to myself and his sister; all the while in complete denial of his own responsibility and the ramification of his actions. For most of his life, his father was completely absent, until two years ago when he resurfaced and again could not sustain parenthood; Joshua's sister and I remain constant; always.
My son was 5150'd three weeks ago, finally diagnosed with major depressive disorder, althought the MD also wanted to add a mood stabilizer since bipolar disorder runs on Josh's parental side, I was relunctant. I had already found placement; a residential program that could help him; could help us. An agency that was based on the biopsychosocial model I myself had come to live and breathe by. And so as any Mother, I did what I had to do to ensure his admission.
The silver lining was through all my research this program would be covered through his insurance; I was wrong again. After his first week, I was advised that his insurance will not be covering the type of program Joshua is attending since it is out of network. My efforts to explain that all in network providers denied my son based upon eligibility criteria and two even referred the place where he was granted admission went on deaf ears.
Which brings me here, to 'Go Fund Me', where I hope to raise enough funds to support Joshua's program since I am still a single Mom, living pay check to paycheck regardless of my degree. I have recieved a $7000.00 scholarship (leaving the remaining balance of $17K) from the program which I am grateful for.
Joshua's illness has been a process, his diagnosis a relief. It has progressed and become unmanageable within our home, our relationships and for his well-being. Like any Mother or parent, all I want for my children is to be happy in life, to love and be loved, responsible with a kind and geniue heart; a heart at peace.
I am a prideful person my nature. It has taken alot for me to process through my pride, so I beg everyone of you to pass Joshua's story on, bring awareness and if you can, please help me make Joshua's goal. It has always been my belief that it takes a village to raise a child. If you cannot donate, I am thankful regardless and ask that you pray for Joshua and our family. I will be updating as I recieve news. If you have any questions, please feel free to message me directly.
Eternally Grateful,
Christina
Organizer
Christina Balboni
Organizer
Dublin, CA