Part Two

We've been home for 24 hours now. Our trip was amazing/ exhausting/ surprising/ relaxing/ fun/ frusterating etc etc. I'm really glad to be home despite going back to work. Chase really enjoyed Disneyland and Legoland.

A few more bits of wisdom from our trip:

*Legoland is really only fun for kids from about ages 3 to 6. If you are going to spend a lot of money, do it at Disneyland and NOT Legoland.
*A Guest Assistance Pass is easy to get at Disneyland with documentation from a doctor and/or medication bottles with side effects listed.
*Many of the rides can make adjustments for your sensory sensitive child. There are some play guns that are very loud on the Jungle Cruise. Make sure to ask the staff not to use them.
*Identify sensitivities and triggers before going to disneyland.
*Research each ride regarding those triggers. (Had I done so, we never would have gone on Indiana Jones and avoided complete panic)

A few thoughts on the Discovery Health program that features our family:

*The rages, aggression and violence are real for us. They are not constant by any means, but when things are bad...they stay that way for days at a time. One escalation to another.
*My daughter, Aimee, is removed from the situation when Chase becomes violent. She either is taken out of the house or goes to her room and shuts her door.
*The part where I am talking about his first episode of psychosis is kinda cheesy. The video of the car in the rain was weird and I didn't know they would do that.
*All of the families in the show are necessary and pinpoint a different aspect of bipolar children.
*Each child in the show was adopted or not being raised by their birth parents, except Chase. That was not mentioned.
*Chase was interviewed during the taping but it wasn't used.
*I sound a lot braver and logical in the show than I am in real life.
*I think I make physically handling Chase look easier than it really is. On that one particular day I was covered in bite marks and bruises from head to toe.

The show was real and raw and didn't sugar coat anything. Yes, it was missing pieces of the entire story but it would be impossible to cover everything in only one hour. The producers were both amazing and had the best intentions. They still email and check on Chase. Their goal was the same as mine. They intended to open up a discussion and begin to raise awareness to mental illness in children.

I'm going to bed now. Tomorrow will be rough at work and I need to at least be rested. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers that carry a burden that often seems too heavy. Keep going. You are stronger than you know.

Part One + Pics

I wanted to make sure that I posted a few pics before I forget.

This is Chase and I on a ride that he really enjoyed at Legoland. Chase and Uncle Kevin while getting ready to get on Pirates of the Carribean
Chase with Mickey

Chase after a few hours of walking at California Adventures. We were trying to eat lunch...

Chase posed in front of Mickey Mouse at our hotel.

TV TV TV

What a nightmare it is to know that your family is on TV and not have the ability to even watch the program. I'm sitting here knowing that thousands of people are seeing MY family and I feel dumb for not planning the show into our trip. Ok that's my little rant.

oh and i'm hearing that it may be portraying bipolar in a negative light, focusing only on rage and agression.... I'm ready to strangle someone if I can't see for myself.

Chase went to Jedi Training!

We went to Disneyland again today. Chsae participated in Star Wars Jedi Training and was even chosen to fight against Darth Maul. He was so excited and totally proud of his "skills."

Disneyland wisdom

I don't have any words to describe this trip so far. Ok I lied. I ALWAYS have words.

The ride from the bay area to L.A. was uneventful.... in our family, uneventful=great. Chase slept for most of the ride and when he wasn't asleep he was peaceful and curious about our surroundings.

Things I have learned from this trip (after 36 hours):

*Wasps are attracted to rental cars. Especially the inside of the car.
*A 7 year old can count to 200 without getting bored.
*Crayons+Rental Car = BAD
*When motivated, Chase can carry his own body weight.
*When not motivated, Chase can't even carry a soda.
*Cheap and casual places to eat are hard to come by at Downtown Disney.
*Breakfast with Disney characters is expensive. Its a trap.
*Goofy gets upset when you are on a cell phone. He will mimic you on the phone until you get off.
*Do not sit in the front on the Splash Mountain ride when there are heavy people in the back of the boat.
*Bring an extra shirt and bra in case you get stuck in the front on Splash Mountain. See above.
*Indiana Jones ride is too scary for an anxious kid.
*Food is expensive. Period.
*It does not feel good to get hit in the face with a light-saber. Even on accident.
*Cinderella can be creepy. Does she have to talk like she's singing?
*Eating on the monorail is a HUGE no-no. Oops.
*Toilet seat covers will stick to your bottom if you sit on them while slightly wet from Splash Mountain.
*The Star Tours ride is the best ride ever according to Chase.
*I have an amazing son. When he laughs, it will trigger happiness in those around him.

Thats all the wisdom I have so far. We did get a disability pass without any problem but only used it twice. The park wasn't busy today at all so we mostly stood in the regular lines. We are all wiped out. Tomorrow is LEGOLAND. Then thursday we will be at Disneyland and California Adventures. No rages. Just a little whiny when hot or hungry. Pretty normal for any 7 year old. Most of the time we only see a giant smile.

I am so blessed.

12 hours

12 hours until we hit the road for Disneyland. We are all excited. Now if only I could figure out where WE are going to watch the Discovery Health show that Chase is on. They don't have that channel at the Disneyland Hotel.

Chase's rollercoaster

Chase likes to read a book called My Bipolar Rollercoaster. I love this book. (There are many similar books on amazon.com. Anyway, the reason I bring it up is that I sometimes wonder at what point we jumped on the darned rollercoaster. I would be content to run along side Chase on his rollercoaster as he went up and down. But somewhere in the middle, I jumped on. My mood/life/experiences correspond directly to Chase's position on his rollercoaster. Did I choose to jump on? Am I leaving my daughter behind to protect her? Heck if I know....

Also, just FYI... I got rid of my facebook. I found myself getting too wrapped up in it. I just realized that the people that even matter in my life don't need to read a "status update" to see how I'm doing.

Countdown to Disneyland...30 hours to go!