Ty Ty update

I wish I could share ALL the details here. Really, this should not be a secret. Mental Illness is not a dirty secret, it's a real illness that kills people. It almost killed my son last week. According to the hospital, it's an accident he wasn't successful in his suicide attempt. This is not the first time he's tried to end his life, and without help it won't be the last. 

We'll be in court later this week, hopefully getting Tyler a court order for the help that he needs. I wish I could convey to you how difficult it is to do this for an adult. Not difficult in the emotional sense (though it is hard!) but in the legal sense. If the county is successful, it will be nothing less than a miracle, and truly and act of God. Without the court order for Chemical Dependency and Mental Health treatment, it won't be long before he does this again and the outcome won't be good. 

Tyler is in good spirits though. Dean and I went to see him on Saturday and he was clear headed, and said that he's in agreement with the commitment proceedings. However he'll be given a public defender who will remind him that he has rights, and that he has a right to object. Please Lord, let this person see that in this case, that issue should not be pushed very far! 

If we're successful in the commitment, it will only be for 6 months, at which time the case will be reviewed. If the commitment is ended at that time, it will be ERASED from his record. But don't jump the gun, this is a BAD thing for it to be erased! If Tyler were to be picked up because he'd done something dangerous, or put someone else's safety at risk, the police won't be able to see this on his record, and not know what kind of person they're dealing with. Putting Tyler into a holding cell with other people while he's in a manic phase would be a really bad thing!!!! People, DUI's stay on your record longer than a mental health commitment!!! 

I have a good friend who's family member committed a horrible act 20+ years ago. He killed thier father. He also has sz, and was under commitment for many many years. Because he does just fine while he's on meds, and he'd had several years without any problems, his commitment was lifted just a couple months ago. He's now off meds because there is no longer a court order for them, NOT doing well, and he walks among us. His commitment was MI/D (mentally ill and dangerous) but now he has NOTHING on his record. Do you see why it's important for the laws to change, and that stuff to stay on so it shows up in a background check??? His family loves him dearly, but..umm...he's dangerous! It's not his fault, it's just the way his brain works, but that doesn't discount the fact that he's dangerous!

So, that's where things are at right now. Hopefully court later this week will go well.