Three years ago, the therapist suggested that I permit my then-16 yo son to drop out of high school. Why? Because he was so depressed and so overwhelmed by the schoolwork that he couldn't see any hope. The idea was to just let him get a job and worry about the GED later. But I didn't give up. Via a mix of homeschooling and a private high school for at-risk youth, he made it. He graduated on time with a regular diploma.

Then he tried college. Again, the courses overwhelmed him. But he found a technical area that he liked. And with that came a job opportunity. He is now 19 1/2 - living in his own apartment with a full-time job in the field of his choice. Meds? He has been able to wean off nearly all of them now that he no longer has the academic stress of formal schooling.

Half the battle is simply reaching adulthood. Life is so much sweeter on this side of those teen years.

Vicki Hill vlhill@airmail.net
co-mod, The Balanced Mind Foundation Support2
adoptive mom of R, 22

adoptive mom of A,19