Been thinking

I have been asking myself the question of whether or not those people at DEN, are they qualified to be dealing with “depressive” clients?  I have found no organization or any helping organization that can assist or guide me in my dilemma.  For some time now I have realized that no one understands.  Really, think about it. My son prefers to stick his head in the sand and forget about the “bad” things.  He doesn’t know why he does what he does, he just does it.  It is heart wrenching to see him destroying himself.  I feel if somehow his depression could be handled, then maybe, just maybe he may be able to manage his disease and it’s complications.  I just don’t know where to turn to get him that help.  Over the last year or so of all the organizations available here in Australia that I have had contact with all end up saying the same thing. “We feel sorry for you, but there is nothing we can do to help.”  I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I need some help here!!!  Not pity!!

I do understand that he needs to ask for help.  I have been through this trying to get him to see physiologists or someone.  He won’t go, simple.  The crazy part is, when someone is like this it is those that need the help.  Makes me so frustrated as he acts so well.  They should try living with him for a couple of days!!  They would soon work out that something is not right!  When he goes for his consultants visits he sits there nods his head says he is fine, and agrees with whatever they say.  If I say anything, when we get outside he yells and screams at me, then I get the silent treatment.  It is hard to live with believe me, painfull.  Others who have seen this have said to me to just let him go.  I tried that for a couple of months last year, he ended up on the streets, so I am sorry, but I can’t and won’t do that.  I will die trying if that is the best I can do.

Read Full Post »

GP appointment – disapointment

We made it to his appointment!  That is a plus.  Reason for appointment?  To get forms completed for his testing that needs to be done prior to my son’s consultants appointments in Brisbane.  The GP also suggested that he needs new scripts for his medication, as it was over 6 months since the last issue.  Now, I am only a visitor at his appointments and only speak when requested by my son.. memory problems.. he forgets things.  His GP got the message that he hasn’t been taking his medication for a month, my son confirmed that.  So as totally expected GP proceeded to give him the lecture about he can’t force him to take them, it is his choice, but he thinks he is being silly not taking it.  But he said he will see how all the testing results come in as he also gets copies.  Appointment over, paid the $60 fee and as expected when we got to the car, he went balistic.  Then came the silent treatment.  (deep breath)

We had a second appointment with the DEN people, of course that just didn’t happen.  I called in, but he refused to get out of the car and repeatedly stated he would never go back there.  Through courtesy I spoke to the lady we were supposed to meet with and explained the situation. ( Not that they would understand )

I dropped him home and he prompty went to bed.  I had to get to work as I had already lost 3 hours pay, but returning later in the evening, he was still in bed asleep.  This is not uncommon as he does sleep alot, but the stressful morning had tired him.

Read Full Post »

Life wasn’t meant to be easy

Another week passes, and yes, his payment didn’t turn up. I really needed to know if that was it, finished. As I struggle paying the rent, electricity and internet on my wages. I only get paid for what I work, and with hours off for appointments being doctors, interviews and sorting all this sort of stuff out, it decreases my pay packet. My job is currently a bit shaky due to new management and bringing of a few entities together.

My plan of getting my son self-sufficent is going out the window. Plus the rent just went up 7.1%, we have only been here for 6 months!!  But it was either pay up or find somewhere else to live. I can understand where the landlord is coming from, but the place is really run down, I don’t mind, it is clean and he did put security screens on the windows and doors.  With summer coming, we will be able to have the windows open now, as we have no ceiling fans, unlike most newer units. My son likes it there, it is now his home, he doesn’t relate to change very well. So I have to find the extra dollars. He was paying some of the rent from his payment, but looked like I would have to get a second job to pay for food and fuel. He has a car that he owns, but he can’t afford to drive it much with the price of fuel so he spends most of the time in the unit, playing xbox and online gaming on his computer. Yes he has sunk deeper into depression since his case workers phone call. So much so, he is abusive when I talk to him, so I retreat to my room. I spend many hours in there, I am not game to leave him when he is like this, for fear of what he may do.

I ended up ringing Centerlink to find out what was happening.  Yes his payment was stopped for non-attendance, which seemed odd as he had a good attendance record.  They also found a medical certificate inactioned for 3 months from his surgery.  So in effect he didn’t have to attend these appointments anyway.  But he is desperate for a job and he needs someone to help to get him through the door.  Was that really that much to ask.  I am still working on getting him back.  In the meantime, they paid him again, but I have a feeling it will be short lived.  We shall see.

Read Full Post »

Client Service?

As usual, I noted the date and time in the appropriate places for his next appointment for DEN. Two days earlier I get a phone call from him saying that the lady from DEN had rang him and told him he had missed his appointment, he was half asleep at the time and she proceeded to tell him that she was cutting off his payment. I only have his side of the story, but he says she was yelling and going off at him. If this is correct, that is exactly the last thing he needs in his depressive state.

I thought they must have got it wrong, as his appointment wasn’t until the Friday, he has been doing the same time and day each fortnight. But he says there was no way he was going to see that woman or go back to that place. I won’t tell you his exact words, but you can imagine what a frustrated 18 year old male would say in today’s terms.

I let it go until the Monday and then was given a contact, not the person who was handling his job case. I just rang to confirm or deny what he had told me. So much mucking around and they wouldn’t talk to me until he gave his permission. They called him to get it, but of course he won’t pickup because he knows it them. It is very frustrating to deal with things and he has repeatedly given written permission for me to deal with things on his behalf or with him.

Read Full Post »