January 28, 2024

When you’re sad, or when the dark and cold of winter’s endless days press a melancholy or listless feeling upon you, I encourage you to do something small for someone else. The shift in perspective can brighten both people’s day!

June 30, 2023

Thank you so much to everyone who has helped our family. Thank you to all who share our fundraising site.

Thank you to the reporters shedding light on the challenges so many parents and adults face getting and paying for the mental health care they need.

We spend so much time and energy—and resources—fighting big insurance companies to try to get the help our child needs and deserves. It’s hard to believe, but they are able to deny vital treatment because insurance rules are so lax when it comes to mental health.

Thank you to everyone who has donated. As resources are collected and shared, the burden is less. Your contributions have made a direct positive impact on a child's life. Because of you, we have been able to pay for specialists, for full neuropsychological evaluations to better understand Jason's needs and cover almost 60 days of treatment! AND it's helping. This treatment is life saving.

You all have made a difference. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being a blessing.

Love, love

Janine and Jay for Jason

June 26, 2023

6/20/2023

WE DID IT!!! We really did it! We now have a major mental health bill voted out of committee and onto the floor!

Thank you to everyone who wrote a letter, made a call, shared a post, prayed, sent good vibes.

Thank you to everyone who drove out to Lansing for this. Thank you to the folks who stayed when the hearing was delayed by hours. Thank you to everyone at home who tuned in.

Thank you to Advocates for Mental Health of MI Youth, The Kennedy Forum, Inseparable, and State Representative Felicia Brabec for sponsoring the HB 4707.

What a day. What an experience. I am so grateful for the committee hearing our testimony with compassion and curiosity. And so grateful for the "yes"!

I don't know yet if this will help our family, but i know for certain it will help future families.

June 19, 2023

I want to share with you an exciting development...

I've been invited to testify in front of the Michigan House of Representatives Insurance Committee this Tuesday regarding our experience with private insurance and mental health care services.

The link below sends a letter to your state rep to support House Bill 4707 in just a few clicks. Please take a minute to do this and share the link. Contact your legislator today through the link: bit.ly

From The Advocates for Mental Health of MI Youth:

Why do we need House Bill 4707 to pass? Michigan law regarding private insurance coverage is not clear so insurance companies are refusing to cover care that is medically necessary. Here are some stories from our families:

*A family in Livingston County sold their cars, mortgaged everything they owned, and lost both of their jobs to cover the treatment of the child they adopted from foster care. Their insurance company took 18 months to start processing their claims and then denied everything but one random week in January. They still have not received reimbursement for that week.

*A Shiawassee family got a $20k+ bill because their insurance company only covered half of their child’s hospitalization and cut them short on outpatient therapy and psychiatry coverage after his discharge.

*An Oakland County mom says it was easier to get in-home nursing and a ventilator provided to her medically fragile child than it has been trying to get mental health coverage for her autistic child.

*A child in Ottawa County was approved for treatment in a residential placement due to the severity of her case. The insurance company started pushing for discharge after 14 days. The doctor said it would be criminal to discharge the child in her current state, but somehow the insurance company pressured the facility to discharge her within a few days. Within two weeks, they were back at the ER with their suicidal child.

*One mom from Wayne County found that her plan didn’t cover an appropriate treatment facility as in-network. When the family went out-of-network and submitted their claim for reimbursement, it took months to receive the denial. The child was discharged prematurely and the family incurred extraordinary debt.

*A family in Marquette City found that their insurance company only paid for 14 days of necessary treatment before it pulled coverage. The insurance company claimed that the child was “stable” even though she was suicidal and on safety plan at the treatment facility. The family’s appeal was denied.

*A family in Eaton County went $1/4 million into debt to pay for their child's mental health treatment. The insurance company claimed the treatment was not medically necessary even after 5 specialists intimately involved with the child's case wrote letters stating that the treatment was, in fact, medically necessary.

HB 4707 will be voted on in committee on Tuesday, June 20. Will you please take action now in support of this bill?

Contact your legislator today through the link: bit.ly

May 14, 2023

It’s mental health awareness month. Too many parents are in the fight of their lives right at this very moment. Sitting in ER’s waiting for placement, fighting with insurance, hiring experts, emptying bank accounts, missing their child on Mothers Day all while keeping it together. The deep shame, the feelings of hopelessness, the lack of funding and support, it has to stop.

To all parents going through this, to all of those missing their child - whether they are physically or mentally away right now, I'm sending you lots of love. To know your child needs this level of care and to take the steps necessary to save their life, despite the immense emotional and financial toll, is called unconditional love. To be here is what it means to be a parent.

Take time to feel proud of your child, yourself, and your decisions. The interventions now are not only life changing, they are life saving and will provide a solid foundation for our children's futures.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. You are the ultimate example of an unconditionally loving mother who is willing to endure the journey to help your child. Love to you all.

May 8, 2023

Parents of neurodiverse children are called upon to show up every second of every day, facing challenges few ever contend with, and fewer could ever imagine.

May 7, 2023

Did you know that trauma and PTSD can present as ADHD?

Research shows that PTSD affects the functions of the brain. The different parts of the brain that are affected are the amygdala, hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex. All of these areas regulate our emotions and how we respond to fear.

The amygdala recognizes fear and when affected by PTSD it is hypersensitive and overreactive. This can lead to chronic stress, excessive fear, and increased irritation.

The hippocampus stores and retrieves memories. It sorts them out between past and present memories, but a hippocampus that has been affected by PTSD actually has a size difference. It is smaller!! Some trauma victims have a very difficult time remembering memories and others have extremely vivid memories to the point they can not stop thinking about them. They are always on their mind! They also can’t differentiate between past and present memories, causing them to live in fear with that constant panic of fight or flight mode.

Your prefrontal cortex regulates your emotions. In a brain that has experienced no trauma the amygdala recognizes fear and the prefrontal cortex will respond appropriately and rationally. In a prefrontal cortex affected by trauma is not able to rationally regulate your emotions. Whether it be excitement, sadness, anger, fear, or other emotions. All of the responses will seem irrational or way too much for the situation.

The good news is there is treatment. But the brain heals slowly and it takes a therapist with an appropriate approach and usually medications.

We tend to silence these conversations. And often the mental health of a person causes them to be given labels of bad behavior or not being able to control themselves. And worse, they get told their conditions do not exist, solely because you don’t understand them, or because the person "looks normal".

Trauma can often lead to cognitive and emotional changes that present as ADHD. People are called impulsive, lazy, loud, interruptive, inpatient, and more. However, they don’t have that same control that most people do.

Do not silence mental health, instead help those in need.

#stopthestigma

*ADHD is real outside of trauma too*

May 3, 2023

When you have a neurotypical child, you may feel reasonably assured that class participation and decent study habits will result in good grades. These kids have close friends. They get invited to participate in social events like dances and weekend gatherings. They make the teams, auditions, organizations and clubs.

But when you have a child with certain differences, this is often not the case. Learning may take longer, both academically and socially. Despite their tremendous efforts, results are often a fraction of their peers and social acceptance is fleeting, setting them up for painful comparisons and bitter frustration. Instead of a fun and fulfilling experience, school can become a breeding ground for depression and anxiety, and assignments a battle ground. It is exhausting for parent and child alike.

Spread awareness.

For all the children who struggle every day to succeed in a world that does not recognize their gifts and talents, and for those who are walking beside them, please let this be a gentle reminder to be kind and accepting of ALL people. Recognise that the "playing field" is not always a level surface.

Children from hard places are not willfully giving you a hard time; they are having a hard time.

Children who learn differently are not weird; they are merely gifted in ways that our society does not value.

These children want what everyone else wants: To be accepted!!

Our world would be far less beautiful without them.

Kindness goes a long way!!! In a world where you can be anything…be kind.

~author unknown

April 19, 2023

Every child should have access to hope, healing, and exemplary health care.

Exemplary mental health care should be as accessible as physical medical health care.

March 13, 2023

Actively seeking Ambassadors!

We need the support of people who live up to their values every day, who see the value in these sweet souls, who can help our mission to reach a wider audience than ever and secure critical financial support to help Jason and thousands of patients like him nationwide to heal, live, and thrive.

Please share with everyone, everywhere. Donate. Spread the word.

March 12, 2023

7 years a Teagarden!!! More than 9 years of loving you.

Jason, You truly are a special young man. Your compassion, empathy, desire to help and protect others, your love for life and knowledge and your witty humor bring so much joy & laughter.

We are so very proud of the wonderful person you are. Every day you make us proud to be your parents.

You are an amazing human who inspires others. We are blessed to be your parents.

You are the only you the world has

and we need your joy, kindness and love!!!

We love you Jason! ALL the time. No matter what.

Happy Adoption Anniversary

Love, love

Mom & Dad

March 4, 2023

KIDS IN CRISIS. youtu.be

(CBS DETROIT) - In conjunction with the documentary release "Connecting the Dots," CBS stations across the nation are looking at mental health issues facing young people. As part of that series, our Executive Producer, Amyre Makupson spoke to two Michigan families in crisis.

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Parents across the state of Michigan are STRUGGLING to get mental health treatment for our children, especially children that are in crisis every single day.

In walks the Executive Director of Community Mental Health Association of Michigan and explains, "Well the truth is... Yeah, if you want your kid in long term residential away from you, the only way there is because you have broken the law as a kid or you are in the child welfare system.”

So many parents are doing everything possible for our children while Community Mental Health directs us to criminalize our children or give up up parental rights instead of providing mental health treatment.

We all know the home and community based services Community Mental Health promises do not exist. We are so deeply offended that our cries for help were boiled down to wanting our children “away” from us.

We want appropriate mental health treatment for our children. We need help stabilizing crisis and preventing our families from falling apart. We don’t want our children or anyone else in our homes to die.

Stop blaming parents for the failure of the system to provide mental health treatment. We are not the problem. We are the solution.

A huge thank you to @CBS Detroit for the painful but brutally honest reporting.

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We need your help. Please.

Consider being a part of this effort to change the life of an amazing child forever. Your generosity will make a lasting impact.

Help Hope Live

March 4, 2023

Sharing this excellent post from Advocates of Mental Health of MI Youth as this article articulates this balancing act so well.

"In order to tell our stories of the ways the mental health system has failed our children, parents are asked to share some of the most painful, intimate, and difficult details of their lives and the life of their loved one.

We fear being publicly shamed more. The system is already blaming us. We fear retaliation. We already can’t get the help we need. We fear the negative impact unwanted attention will have on our child that is struggling now and in the future.

But often, we step out of the shadows and we tell our story, because we most afraid that without help our child will not have a future. We hope people will see our pain and the pain of our child. We hope there will one day be enough of us banded together to change the system so another family does not have to endure what we have gone through.

Thank you to ProPublic for so clearly articulating the balancing act between advocacy, privacy, and the deepest desire for change."

www.propublica.org

February 15, 2023

Rustic Creations USA,

Jay Teagarden and I cannot thank you enough for what you have done to help our family. We don't know each other, yet you heard our son's story and you were moved to help. Thank you for sharing your talent for candle making and using it as a means to raise money for our son Jason's care. You also have sent countless letters requesting assistance and that led you to running a silent auction!

Laura Zoeller thank you for taking us on and partnering with Chris to spread the word of our fundraisers. Thank you for sharing your creativity and caring heart.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the sales and donations.

The auction and candle sales raised $4717.50!!! During the time of your fundraiser, we also received direct donations to the Help Hope Live campaign $3000. For a total raised $7717.50!!! That covers more than 2 weeks of care! Thank you all for helping us move this mountain. This has helped immensely.

January 28, 2023

Blessings upon blessings!

We have so much to be grateful for. We are truly blessed. This week we have received generous donations from a church in Pennsylvania and a young girl donated all her Christmas money to Jason's Help Hope Live campaign! Friends and strangers have donated. Some have begun a recurring gift. The silent auction at Rustic Creations is gathering donations. A donor match opportunity has presented for our candle sale! Thank you!!!

I’m sending out love from my heart to all of you, thanking you for your thoughts, prayers, love, and donations!

Please continue to share. Share multiple times. The most successful fundraisers are those that get shared early and often. Please continue to help.

God is good.

January 18, 2023

January 6, 2023

Friends, I am not able to find the words to write this, so I am going to share the appeal our new friend Chris posted to FB last night on our behalf. Thank you Chris for writing this and for being an ambassador for our family.

*** Important Update ***

Friends, I received an email last night that could give Jason many setbacks on his road to recovery. The family was notified that they must come up with substantial funds by month's end for Jason to remain at this center. The amount was not disclosed, but what I do know is that it costs $15,000 per month to get Jason the care he needs. When you times that by 12 to 15 months for his care, the family is looking at between $180,000 to $200,000, at least.

I ask of you to please consider supporting Jason’s Fundraiser today.

You may be thinking why should I support a 13-year-old child that I never met or have any connection to, and I would say why not? There are millions and millions of people all across this country and the world who support charities daily, weekly, monthly and yearly without even knowing anyone that the charity helps or even knowing where their food, clothing, toys and monetary donations are going. With this fundraiser you know exactly where your support is going here, directly to Jason to help him understand how to be a kid.

Again, I would like to explain that mental health care is different from medical care – all costs must be paid up front, then submitted to insurance with no guarantee of reimbursement. The family has drained their college and retirement savings, refinanced their house, and maxed out their credit. They have leveraged all the debt available and now need our help. Every dollar counts and even the smallest donation will go a long way.

Strangers helping strangers is a step in the direction of showing more kindness towards others in and out of our own communities.

Here is how you can support Jason

Rustic Creations USA, is hosting a candle and wax melt online fundraiser. We have 17 different scents to pick from in a 3oz wax melt, 6 oz candle, 11 oz candle and a 14 oz candle. Not only will you be helping Jason, but you will be received a hand poured product that I pour my myself that is 100% Soy, Vegan Friendly, Cruelty Free and Phthalate Free, handmade in Washington, PA

Simply visit www.rusticcreationsusa.com to place your order today. 50% of the proceeds will go directly to Jason. You may ask where the other 50% goes, our fundraisers do not cost anyone a dime, with that said other 50% goes back into the supplies used for the fundraiser.

You could make a direct donation to the nonprofit Help Hope Live in honor of Jason Teagarden at helphopelive.org

If you are unable to support Jason with a donation or by purchasing from his fundraiser, that's ok! Please share this information with as many people as you can.

Again, I thank you for your time,

Chris

#hope

January 6, 2023

God will make a way. I believe this with all my might. Pray with me.

January 6, 2023

We are so grateful for the support of each and everyone who is walking with us through this season!

Thanks to a great article in the Livingston Daily and Detroit Free Press , we were able to garner another $700+ in support from generous readers and bring awareness to children's mental health (12/30/22)! A huge thank you to Patricia Alvord and Gillis Benedict for picking up our story, having a wonderful chat, and helping us raise awareness about Jason, adolescent mental health care and the immense struggle of medical expenses and navigating the mental health care system. They werr a pleasure to work with and we hope to continue our relationship in the future.

helphopelive.org

Livingston Daily:

www.livingstondaily.com

Freep:

www.freep.com

January 1, 2023

There are no words to describe how truly thankful we are for your support of our family.

We have been blessed by so many, in so many wonderful and kind ways. It has been quite a year. We are physically healthy. We have traveled across the country and back again safely, more than once to visit our precious son. What we will remember the most is finding the best care for our son Jason and the immense positive impact is it having on his healing.

To all who have donated, thank you!!! To all who have shared, thank you!!! To all who have prayed, thank you!!! To all who have made referrals to support groups, consultants, attorneys, and advocates, thank you!!! Together, we are spreading awareness and expanding our circle. We are so grateful for your assistance helping Jason heal. All of the funds raised have gone directly towards expenses for Jason’s care.

During our last year:

• 84 donations were made to help fuel hope for our family

• Funds raised covered $18,200+ in critical medical related expenses for Jason (all fundraising for 2022 HHL+prior). That's 36 days of care!

• Fundraising efforts from our community include: J’Adorable Poodles & Doodles raffle, Facebook Giving Tuesday, Tony Sacco’s e-gift card sales, Rise & Grind Coffee Sale; Peggy’s Pour Paint sales; Rustic Creations Candle Sale kickoff

We are humbled and blessed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to each and every one of you who has been there for us in our time of need. Thank you for every prayer, every smile, every card, every donation, every hug, every call or text to share words of hope and encouragement. We could never have gotten this far without you. Thank you for reminding us that we are not alone. That we are not in this alone. That we are loved and cared for.

For 2023, we pray for health, peace, joy, prosperity, safety, friendship, family, hope, healing and LOVE! Our hopes and dreams are that we are able to find the funds for Jason to continue this lifesaving treatment, to spread awareness and availability of this academic and mental health care for children across the country who need it.

Happy New Year!!! God bless you all!!!

Love, love,

The Teagarden Family

December 27, 2022

This article says it so well.

The Stigma of Hidden Special Needs

"my mom heart longs for a day when my special needs children get the same respect...My children’s special needs display themselves in negativity, disobedience, rages, and aggressiveness. Add to these behaviors learning disabilities and you can probably see how much my children have to contend with on a daily basis. My children struggle, and it’s not their fault...Their special needs were entirely preventable.

But they weren’t prevented."

www.littleearthlingblog.com

December 26, 2022

Christmas is upon us and we are counting our blessings. I am feeling deeply grateful for my family, friends, and the kindness and generosity you all have shown our family. We are truly blessed.

We made the cross-country trek through the incoming snow storm so the four of us could be together for Christmas. God is good and provided a clear route and we made it safe & sound.

Through the generosity of our families, we were able to have a very lovely Christmas, akin to the Charlie Brown Christmas, a few special gifts. The best gift is that we are all together. We were even able to keep some traditions going, like making monkey bread for Christmas morning and watching White Christmas tonight.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. It doesn’t matter what is under the tree; it's the family and friends that you get to share your life with. We love you all. Merry Christmas.

December 24, 2022

Please share this in all of your circles.

Our family needs some help.

It's a big ask and really challenging to be so vulnerable. Some of you know a little bit about our son being away at a therapeutic school. He's doing well, but has quite a ways to go in his treatment plan. The treatment program is more specific to addressing complex trauma, while still meeting his academic and sensory needs.

The cost is beyond what anyone may imagine, yet quite typical. We've exhausted our personal resources, beyond really. Our family has helped with a portion of the cost, but a significant amount is still needed.

We have insurance, however, like most plans, most of the fees are not covered and anything that is, requires an immense effort to recover. Adoption subsidy covers less than one day of treatment a month.

We are confident that this is necessary treatment and is more than worth it for our sweet boy. We need help, though, so that he can get through this and come home and have his best chance in life.

#Help #Heal #Mentalheatlthawareness

#Family #Adoption #Fostercare

#Love #mentalhealth #survivor #trauma #traumahealing #childrensmentalhealth

December 17, 2022

It's been on my mind...

The heartbreaking news of 2 suicides within two weeks. I did not know either of the individuals personally, but their deaths affected me. One, a little girl from our community. Only 12 years old. So young! So bright and "didn't show any signs". But 12 is a year older than our son was when we first learned about suicidal ideations.

The other, of Stephen tWitch Boss' death this week. Twitch was known for his beautiful smile and spirit. He had a beautiful family. By all appearances, he had it all and he seemed so happy & "didnt show any signs".

Everyone wants to know, why? How is this possible?! How could no one know?

What we're learning is:

"We lose people who LOOK like & FEEL like theyre in perfect physical health to things like strokes and heart attacks bc plaque builds silently in our circulatory system.

Well, we lose people who LOOK and SEEM like theyre in perfect mental health bc stress and trauma build silently in our bodies. Suicide is like a heart attack of the nervous system. It can and often does come out of nowhere." (Same Here MH Movement)

I need to express my profound thanks to the entire treatment team who give their hearts, talents, and energy to our son and the other boys every day. Less than 2 years ago, we were praying we could keep our kiddo alive and safe - never leaving him alone; locking away all the sharps, keeping watch, taking turns sleeping. Today, our son is doing so much better thanks to the extraordinary team in the treatment program.

I am so grateful that this place exists and our son and the other boys have a place to help them through. I wish, with all my heart, that everyone who needed this could have it. And I wish accessing and keeping this level of care was easier.

Thank you SO much to all the amazing staff. You saved our son. You saved our family. You are saving lives every day. You can't put a price on that.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and shared. Thank you for helping us help our son. Please share with your extended community so this life saving treatment may continue.

December 17, 2022

We're praying and leaning on faith, not to be consumed by fear.

The immediate need is immense and we need help spreading the word, making connections, finding an angel donor or corporate donors, or grants.

We received notice today to pay or he loses his place. We are three months behind and need $50k We submitted the request to cash out the remaining balance in Jay's retirement account today. That will pay for a month, bringing the balance due down closer to $30,000 by 1/1/23...but really before that bc we'll be with him for Christmas & we're supposed to drive home 12/28/22.

We've got a lot of irons in the fire. I've been on the phone with BCBS trying to get claims processed (they have only processed 3 claims in 18 months ). Know anyone who is an amazing insurance advocate? BCBS tells me they cant find the claims...but we have not only the fax confirmations, we have letters from them asking for changes to the claim. They have them. They are just not processing them.

The fees needed immediately are for the program ($15k/mth): daily therapy: individual therapy, group therapy, special group therapy, family, equine therapy, neurofeedback, special education, tutoring, his housing, etc.

With the generosity of a donor we do not personally know, we were able to pay off the invoice of $2850 for his neuropsychological evaluation. This eval tests functioning in a number of areas: intelligence, learning difference, executive functions (such as planning, abstract thinking, conceptualization), attention, memory, language, perception, sensory functions, mood and emotion, and quality of life. Praising this angel for their donation for this vital evaluation.

There are additional services Jason requires, but they cost extra, so the program has been holding off to give us time to find the money: occupational therapy and vision therapy.

We also have attorney fees related to holding the school district accountable.

What would you do to help your child get the treatment they need? What would you do to give your child his best chance to heal and grow into the person he was born to be.

The need for the treatment and services doesn't go away just because the fees arent paid.

Our family is seeking any and all assistance available. Please help.

December 16, 2022

I am missing this sweet boy tonight. We have been spoiled with extra zoom appointments this week. Witnessing him advocate for himself regarding getting through the appointment so he could get back to class made me so proud! It was just a short statement he made, but it's not an easy thing to communicate. And he did it. And he was able answer their questions and we are seeing the light in his eyes and see his humble reaction to praise.

December 16, 2022

I'm SUPER excited about this. Livingston county, Hartland peeps! Spend a fun family night at Tony Sacco's to feed the family & give back to a good cause!

Dec.16th, buy a digital gift card and help a local family with medical expenses not covered by insurance.

Use it now to pay for your meal tonight!

-OR- Use it at a later date!

They also make great stocking stuffers!!!

December 6, 2022

The pandemic pushed stress to historic highs.Stress in young people doesn’t always look like stress in adults.

Here's how to recognize the signs:

www.apa.org

December 6, 2022

From Jason: Why I Love You

You keep me safe

You are the best

You cheer me up

You love me

You try to make me smile

You help me

You hug me

You play

December 1, 2022

Thank you to everyone for an amazing Giving Tuesday! Your support gives us hope! Our hearts are especially full today.

November 30, 2022

It's Giving Tuesday. Please support the life-changing work our Jason is doing so he can heal and grow into the person he was born to be.

You can make a difference. A little bit from everyone can multiply.

November 29, 2022

Big day to make a big difference!

Giving Tuesday is today Nov. 29th. We could use your help with our fundraising. Please consider a donation to the national nonprofit Help Hope Live in our son's honor. Thank you!

lnkd.in

Please give, share, help, hope, love, live and heal.

#Help #Heal #Mentalhealthawareness

#Family #Adoption #Fostercare

#Love #mentalhealth #survivor #trauma #traumahealing #wildheartspreciousminds

November 29, 2022

One of Jason's diagnoses is Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).

Here is a helpful explanation written by Beauty After Bruises.

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PTSD, along with all posttraumatic disorders, is still thought to be a condition primarily suffered by war veterans and servicemen and women. Yet, survivors of childhood trauma are among the largest group affected. In fact, for every soldier at war overseas, there are at least 10 children endangered in their own homes within the US. And, that's only taking into consideration cases that are reported and credible. Beyond just the vastness and widespread reach of childhood trauma, one of the greatest challenges that separates the healing of Complex PTSD and dissociative disorders from that of most PTSD, is how the trauma came at the hands of someone who had complete control over you - often someone who was supposed to take CARE of you.

It's not a car accident or natural disaster; it's not because of a nameless stranger; nor did it stem from a war you not only understood the risks of, but shared mutual enemy status toward your adversaries. Child abuse and neglect is often by those you completely depend on, who are in control of your most basic needs and safety, whom you love and who love you, those who are teaching you big concepts like trust (and everything else about this new world) -- and, it is so layered. You can't hate them; you need them. You aren't equals; you're just a little one. They aren't strangers; they're family. It's loaded, it's complex. So, it takes so much longer to heal. ..but even longer if we keep failing to recognize these survivors at all - whether as children, or as teens/adults in distress, clearly exhibiting the signs of a once-traumatized child.

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These survivors need all of our help to get the care and guidance they deserve. We need to reframe the overall understanding of trauma: who it affects, how it affects them, and what they need to recover. We need to make resources FOR their healing much more accessible. And, we need to extend an abundance of extra love their way, because even with the BEST care, it's going to be a very hard journey. They need us. They need you.

Beauty After Bruises

November 29, 2022

Is it autism?

We have asked this question and we receive this question often. Is it autism?

During Jason's time at New Vision, we had the opportunity to have a full neuropsychological evaluation by one of the top psychologists in the country.

There are many behaviors Jason demonstrates that do match symptoms of ASD. The full neuropsych evaluation included an ASD assessment. It was determined that Jason is not on the spectrum.

This article provides an excellent explanation of how trauma symptoms may be mistaken for ASD.

www.openaccessgovernment.org

"Whilst autism spectrum disorder has neurological evidence, it is often misdiagnosed in children with Trauma – what happens then?"

November 29, 2022

As Jason's journey has been going on longer than this campaign, I've entered some posts to fill in the history...

As his parents, we want to do everything we can to help Jason reach his fullest potential and to let his true self shine. Jason wants this, too!

Jason knows something is not right but doesn't always know how to explain what's going on in the inside. After his first day at his treatment program, he called us to say, "thank you for sending me here."

We are asking for your help. Our children’s mental health challenges have had a tremendous impact on our family. If any part of their story resonates with you, please contribute. Please share. Together we can make a difference.

November 29, 2022

7/28/2022

Answered prayers! Praise God!

Last night, just before 6p, we received Jason's acceptance letter to the therapeutic residential school at the top of our list!

Such great news!!! Jason's hard work and God's guidance earned him the yes!!!

We were able to talk about the transition plan. We were able to get everything cleaned up, haircut, and try on clothes and visit family. We've been busy gathering everything up and packing.

All kinds of mixed feelings, but overall we're really excited for this opportunity. This school checks all the boxes: They will be able to help therapeutically, academically with his learning differences, and keep up with his physical activity needs.

Thank you all for your support as we go thru this journey. It's not easy having him so far away, but it's a blessing we are able to get Jason the help he needs.

Please, please keep sharing our page. Please pray for safe travels for our family.

Love, love

November 29, 2022

Surprise change of plans

July 6, 2022

We were all set to get to visit Jason in person next week. We did all the planning, organizing, reservations for us, for Jason's brother, for the dogs, for work schedules, for watching the house, travel, etc. Then surprise! We got a call today that our visit needs to be postponed for two weeks do to some folks testing positive onsite today. Thankfully, Jason and his group are all healthy and doing well. As disappointed as we are and as much as we miss Jason, Jay and I can roll with this change and modify all of the aforementioned plans. We are pretty good and skilled at having to change plans and do what we need to do.

Trauma survivors have a more difficult time with this type of change - especially if it had been a last minute change, because surprise changes = stress. Stressful events in life can re-activate (aka trigger) unsafe feelings that stem from the past. "Trauma changes the way the brain, emotions and nervous system respond to stress, making you more sensitive to potential danger."

The program Jason is enrolled with is creating positive steps towards healing from his early childhood trauma, improving his tolerance for change, by helping him to understand his nervous system and emotions and work towards responses, rather than reactions, widening his window of tolerance.

"Change is good because it teaches you to adapt and develop resilience. Your brain needs you to keep exposing yourself to change so it can remain healthy. However, for change to be experienced as good by your nervous system, its effect needs to be within your window of tolerance." Rhonda Kelloway, LCSW

Jason is in a highly supported, round-the-clock care environment, with skilled therapists and guides to work through these experiences and feelings in a safe place.

November 29, 2022

6/30/2022

"We are not designed to live in survival mode. Our bodies need safety. Our souls need rest." ~Nicola Jane Hobbs.

Exactly one year ago, was the first day we were apart. It was an incredibly difficult decision and a decision that required intense prayers. This journey has been long and winding. This day one year ago, was a day of immense hope - hope for a calmer, healthy future; hope towards breaking the cycle that had been rapidly leading towards a start in the justice system - which is so incredibly absurd and we are incredibly grateful for the grace our son and our family was shown, and the trust we were afforded to take the opportunity to try wilderness therapy and then therapeutic residential options, the understanding that we all needed help. A path towards healing.

Look at the joy in this photo!

The days are not without struggle. It is in the struggle with support that healing occurs. That new neuro pathways are strengthened. That trusting a new felt safety is real.

Prayers are being answered. Praise God!

November 29, 2022

Thank you so much for the outpouring of love, support, prayers!

Thank you also for asking questions. To help answer frequently asked questions, we'll post updates, articles and graphics here.

November 28, 2022

"The important news is that neuroscience and personal stories show that with the right support people can and do recover from complex trauma " ~National Center of Excellence for Complex Trauma

November 24, 2022

We are grateful for so many things.... For all the blessings of our home, good physical health, abundance, and the energy to keep up with it all. For each step of the journey that lead us to the right place, for the helpers, for struggles that led to knowledge and grace. And most of all our friends, family, church family and community.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our son; the donations, the the prayers, the words of comfort. Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

November 21, 2022

"A residual effect of abuse and neglect is the anxiety of having a need and being terrified to ask for it to be met.

So much so that simply having the need can be a trigger to the past pain." Bryan Post

November 17, 2022

Horses are magical.

Horses have a unique sensitivity to people’s feelings. Horses react to subtle changes in their environment and they can even sense a change in a person's emotional state, including depression or anxiety.

Thus, the horse acts kind if like a mirror for adolescents in equine therapy, responding to and reflecting their emotions. Maybe the best quality of equine assisted therapy, horses don’t judge a kid based on their appearance or their diagnoses. As a result, they feel accepted and unconditionally loved.

November 16, 2022

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far. We are so grateful for your help!

SAVE THE DATE! Giving Tuesday is November 29th.

Giving Tuesday is the biggest fundraising day of the year. Please consider making a donation to the national nonprofit, @helphopeliveorg in honor of our son, Jason Teagarden.

To donate, visit helphopelive.org

Please give help, hope, love, live, and heal. Please share with your community!

THANK YOU!