Sorted into Gryffindor October 20, 2010 9:24 AM Subscribe
A happy ending for a MeFite in trouble (and her brother). Faraday Cage, who has been through a lot, should win the Profile in Courage award for the year. Huzzah!
thirding. and not only should she win the Profile in Courage award - but anything else her heart desires.
posted by Sassyfras at 9:33 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by Sassyfras at 9:33 AM on October 20, 2010
I'll breathe a sigh of relief once she gets out of that house for good. This is progress -- not a happy ending just yet.
posted by schmod at 9:54 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by schmod at 9:54 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Wow, yeah. I just spent the last half hour reading those two posts, and also the Metatalk thread which involves Faraday Cage. There is some great stuff there, and I'm happy we could be of help.
posted by lholladay at 9:55 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by lholladay at 9:55 AM on October 20, 2010
Yeah I was really hoping for a happy update to that story the last few days, and Faraday Cage is definitely awesome for being brave enough to go get help.
posted by burnmp3s at 9:59 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by burnmp3s at 9:59 AM on October 20, 2010
I'm not seeing the happy ending here. Looks like the situation is still evolving and still fairly fubared. Brave story, but seems unfinished. Link, please?
posted by five fresh fish at 10:03 AM on October 20, 2010
posted by five fresh fish at 10:03 AM on October 20, 2010
The hardest step is the first one.
Now the wheels are in motion for follow-up medical care, ongoing psychiatric care, help from Adult Protective Services, and hopefully educational and employment help further down the line. But none of that could happen without that first step. As she said, that ocular migraine may have saved her life by providing the impetus to finally leave the house, but really she saved her own life by being brave. The story may not be finished yet, but that first part was the hard part.
posted by Asparagirl at 10:12 AM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Now the wheels are in motion for follow-up medical care, ongoing psychiatric care, help from Adult Protective Services, and hopefully educational and employment help further down the line. But none of that could happen without that first step. As she said, that ocular migraine may have saved her life by providing the impetus to finally leave the house, but really she saved her own life by being brave. The story may not be finished yet, but that first part was the hard part.
posted by Asparagirl at 10:12 AM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Agreed with Burhanistan-- spotlighting someone's personal difficulties like this, even in a well-meaning way-- feels like maybe not the best idea in the world.
posted by dersins at 10:21 AM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by dersins at 10:21 AM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
I posted into the thread, and I am really glad for once to be proven utterly wrong and that Faraday Cage is getting the help and support she needs now.
posted by misha at 11:04 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by misha at 11:04 AM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Those problems are nothing to be ashamed of, and it's not like this is being published on the front of the New York Times.
Courage should always be applauded. That is what we are doing.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:27 AM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Courage should always be applauded. That is what we are doing.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:27 AM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
The "happy ending" is a series of answers. No mini-stroke, no detached retina, no diabetes or high blood pressure, vision is mostly OK (glasses needed, and something more in the left eye), hypothyroidism found early, Dad and Mom support the actions and decisions, even though there was additional stress getting there. Her brother left early, so it's unclear what his status is yet, but he got an EEG and his arm X-rayed, so it's a good start.
Lots of very good starts, and lots of hope for a more positive and healthy future.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:12 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Lots of very good starts, and lots of hope for a more positive and healthy future.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:12 PM on October 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Yes, I think a very good start is the best way to look at it, with the knowledge that just starting something like this is a hard thing to do. Good luck, Faraday Cage. Also, is it wrong that I remain mildly obsessed with identity of the crappy rock band that her mother is so into? I'm guessing... Kiss.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:21 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 12:21 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
dersins: Agreed with Burhanistan-- spotlighting someone's personal difficulties like this, even in a well-meaning way-- feels like maybe not the best idea in the world.
From the comment by Faraday Cage herself, which I previosuly linked:
posted by filthy light thief at 12:57 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
From the comment by Faraday Cage herself, which I previosuly linked:
I may or may not go into as much detail as I should. For that reason I will keep updating this thread from time to time in the next six months until I feel satisfied that it's enough information for someone else in a similar situation. (I also want them to know they can always MeMail me even 5+ years from now if they have any specific questions.)As St. Alia of the Bunnies said, MetaTalk isn't a news publication, it's added praise to the resolution and improvement of some very tough situations. Faraday Cage wants to provide a lot of good information for someone who might be in a similar situation, and thanked everyone who had been supportive so far. I think this post helps both of those points.
...
None of this would have happened without the information, advice, emotional support, and validation I got from all of you. You literally saved my quality of life (maybe even my life), and you helped me realize not every person on earth is going to doubt me, judge me, or turn me away when I need help. I am so grateful to all of you for that. I may not have friends... but I felt like had "friends" these last few days because of you guys.
I'd like to apologize to all of you who contacted me personally for not replying. I also avoided the people who contacted me when I made my other thread in July. I wanted to respond... but I couldn't. I want you all to know that your attempts to reach out to me meant a lot. Please don't take my avoidance personally. I avoided everyone, not just you.
Again, thank you so much.
I do feel a little stronger, and I'm truly hopeful for the first time in a very, very long time.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:57 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
She should write a book about all this. I'd buy it.
posted by John Cohen at 1:32 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by John Cohen at 1:32 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
The happy ending update made me tear up. So glad to hear everything is alright!
posted by biochemist at 3:43 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by biochemist at 3:43 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
So glad everything's ok! Faraday Cage, if you're reading, I have some friends in Gville. If you ever need to be put in touch with someone local, feel free to get in touch.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:56 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:56 PM on October 20, 2010
Gotta admit, I got a little choked up. Hope Faradaycage and her brother are doing well!
posted by 1000monkeys at 5:10 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by 1000monkeys at 5:10 PM on October 20, 2010
I can't believe someone's parents named them Faraday Cage. That's splendid. Hilarious, but obscure enough not to be annoying.
Then again, I have no idea what this is all about, so perhaps it's just a cleverish pseudonym.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:17 PM on October 20, 2010
Then again, I have no idea what this is all about, so perhaps it's just a cleverish pseudonym.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 5:17 PM on October 20, 2010
Glad Faraday Cage is okay. I sympathize, those visual migraines are nasty!
posted by IndigoRain at 5:35 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by IndigoRain at 5:35 PM on October 20, 2010
Serious hate for the ocular migraine, yes. On the other hand, getting them treated is the bomb and makes everything else better too.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 5:52 PM on October 20, 2010
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 5:52 PM on October 20, 2010
Yeah, there's nothing that makes you doubt the ground you're walking on like an ocular migraine. OK, I'm allegedly sane, so why do my partner's left eye and arm appear to be missing? Shudder.
Faraday Cage, despite all odds, seems to be doing a great job of not giving up the fight and utilizing whatever resources she can muster. I really hope that coming into contact with Adult Protective Services will be an opportunity to access more/different resources, rather than a source of stress.
Best of luck to you, Faraday.
posted by emilyd22222 at 7:51 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Faraday Cage, despite all odds, seems to be doing a great job of not giving up the fight and utilizing whatever resources she can muster. I really hope that coming into contact with Adult Protective Services will be an opportunity to access more/different resources, rather than a source of stress.
Best of luck to you, Faraday.
posted by emilyd22222 at 7:51 PM on October 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Happy ending" is an unfortunate choice of words. It's a happy beginning.
posted by John Cohen at 7:40 AM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by John Cohen at 7:40 AM on October 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Faraday, even when you're alone you're never REALLY alone as long as you're signed in here. I hope you remember that... and reach out when you need it.
"Friend" is a word that means a lot more things than you might think - and you have many, now.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:06 PM on October 21, 2010
"Friend" is a word that means a lot more things than you might think - and you have many, now.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:06 PM on October 21, 2010
I'm not sure if it's appropriate for me to post an update in this thread (is it?) but...
I really hope that coming into contact with Adult Protective Services will be an opportunity to access more/different resources, rather than a source of stress.
The investigation is finally over. The adult investigator trusts our judgment and agrees our parents will get us the medical/psychiatric care we need as long as we have a social worker to help us navigate the system. She got us in touch with a local not-for-profit organization that mainly serves the elderly (and in fine print: the disabled in general) and they're offering us free mental health counseling among a few other services. All the social workers we've met so far have been patient, kind, and unbelievably accommodating. For example, I met my mental health counselor for the first time yesterday; she let my brother stay during my session, and she was the first to offer paper and a pen so I could respond to her questions in a medium I felt more comfortable in (writing) because she knew, based on an e-mail I wrote to another social worker, that real-time conversation is difficult and anxiety-inducing for me. I was able to say a lot of "helpful, insightful" things in my first session--thanks to her patience and a lot of paper.
It's comforting to know I can easily contact the social workers via e-mail and that they're on our side if--god forbid--our parents decide to not follow through with our appointments. I honestly think my parents are slowly learning a lesson from all this though.
We have an appointment set on Monday to see An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), who I'm told specializes in mental health problems, because the social workers think we shouldn't have to wait until after November 10th for our Shands cards to see a doctor. I have to admit I'm still paranoid, distrustful, and expecting the worst. I'm fighting my natural instincts right now.
Also, is it wrong that I remain mildly obsessed with identity of the crappy rock band that her mother is so into? I'm guessing... Kiss.
I know you gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City guilt-free, so I'm letting you know now she's obsessed with Daughtry, not Kiss.
I can't believe someone's parents named them Faraday Cage. That's splendid. Hilarious, but obscure enough not to be annoying.
I agree Faraday Cage would be an awesome real name, but alas it's just a username.
posted by Faraday Cage at 8:19 PM on October 30, 2010 [4 favorites]
I really hope that coming into contact with Adult Protective Services will be an opportunity to access more/different resources, rather than a source of stress.
The investigation is finally over. The adult investigator trusts our judgment and agrees our parents will get us the medical/psychiatric care we need as long as we have a social worker to help us navigate the system. She got us in touch with a local not-for-profit organization that mainly serves the elderly (and in fine print: the disabled in general) and they're offering us free mental health counseling among a few other services. All the social workers we've met so far have been patient, kind, and unbelievably accommodating. For example, I met my mental health counselor for the first time yesterday; she let my brother stay during my session, and she was the first to offer paper and a pen so I could respond to her questions in a medium I felt more comfortable in (writing) because she knew, based on an e-mail I wrote to another social worker, that real-time conversation is difficult and anxiety-inducing for me. I was able to say a lot of "helpful, insightful" things in my first session--thanks to her patience and a lot of paper.
It's comforting to know I can easily contact the social workers via e-mail and that they're on our side if--god forbid--our parents decide to not follow through with our appointments. I honestly think my parents are slowly learning a lesson from all this though.
We have an appointment set on Monday to see An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), who I'm told specializes in mental health problems, because the social workers think we shouldn't have to wait until after November 10th for our Shands cards to see a doctor. I have to admit I'm still paranoid, distrustful, and expecting the worst. I'm fighting my natural instincts right now.
Also, is it wrong that I remain mildly obsessed with identity of the crappy rock band that her mother is so into? I'm guessing... Kiss.
I know you gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City guilt-free, so I'm letting you know now she's obsessed with Daughtry, not Kiss.
I can't believe someone's parents named them Faraday Cage. That's splendid. Hilarious, but obscure enough not to be annoying.
I agree Faraday Cage would be an awesome real name, but alas it's just a username.
posted by Faraday Cage at 8:19 PM on October 30, 2010 [4 favorites]
Congratulations! That sounds like the beginning to a happy ending. It's sure to be growth and change: I wish you well. Stay strong and active!
posted by five fresh fish at 11:27 PM on October 30, 2010
posted by five fresh fish at 11:27 PM on October 30, 2010
Wonderful news. Thanks so much for the update, Faraday Cage.
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:06 AM on October 31, 2010
posted by SpiffyRob at 7:06 AM on October 31, 2010
I know you gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City guilt-free, so I'm letting you know now she's obsessed with Daughtry, not Kiss.
Oof, I was aiming way too high. In all seriousness, thanks for the update, and I really do understand how hard it is to fight against one's pessimistic instincts, but I have truly found that maintaining a positive attitude -- even if it is limited to "slap on a shit-eating grin and fake it" -- does help, if only because a negative attitude can be picked up by those who are trying to help you and it can sabotage their own efforts. Good luck, and stay strong, because "it's not over" yet.
Sorry
posted by Rock Steady at 6:26 AM on November 1, 2010
Oof, I was aiming way too high. In all seriousness, thanks for the update, and I really do understand how hard it is to fight against one's pessimistic instincts, but I have truly found that maintaining a positive attitude -- even if it is limited to "slap on a shit-eating grin and fake it" -- does help, if only because a negative attitude can be picked up by those who are trying to help you and it can sabotage their own efforts. Good luck, and stay strong, because "it's not over" yet.
Sorry
posted by Rock Steady at 6:26 AM on November 1, 2010
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posted by clavdivs at 9:31 AM on October 20, 2010