Comments for PPAL

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by denise hoyt

denise hoyt — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:06:18 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss and I am grateful that you shared your story. The powerful lesson for me in all of that is we can never stop fighting for change and growth at a one to one level as well as a political level to get funding where it needs to be. Thank you for your strength, wisdom and devotion to advocating for not just your own child, but for all the children. God Bless!

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by Diane Doyon

Diane Doyon — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:55:52 +0000

Thanks for your loving tribute to Yolanda and for being there to advocate with us as we struggle to get help for our children. Together we can make a difference. Stay Strong, my friend!

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by joan callanan

joan callanan — Sun, 13 May 2012 02:36:38 +0000

what a loving caring story . thanks for the big difference you have made in Brianna and my life Your humor and great insight helped me in my darkness of hours . Mary Anne when i met people at work at the pin office or at support group or conferences and thet will say Do you know MaryAnne Tufts I was part of her pin support group or csa ,i just love her and she has been so caring and know what resources to get One day we were ouit to lunch when i was in the csa wrap around program i was very upset bri was regressing and i was so full of fear . we were saying good bye you told this kind of disorder that my daughter had people don’t send you flowers or fruit baskets but know the csa wrap around program is here for you . Brianna and you are not alone As i write this that day seems like yesterday but it was 2 years ago you gave me hope and i didn’t feel alone again .Brainna and I will say a very special prayer for You and Yolanda .Today was the namie walk that was our first time meeting each other on the bus to boston Brianna was maybe 6 Yolanda and her were chatting all thee way into boston i am pretty sure brianna was doing all the chatting but Yolanda was so good with her . God bless you and your family Joan and Brianna Callanan

Comment on Reports by What Do Kids Think About Their Medications? | My Meds, My Self

What Do Kids Think About Their Medications? | My Meds, My Self — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:15:56 +0000

[...] between ages 12 and 19 (3 percent were 11 years old or younger). The full report can be found here. In this post, I’ll focus on the young people’s [...]

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by Mary Beth Giffune

Mary Beth Giffune — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:35:22 +0000

Mary Ann:
I’m sure it took great courage to write a reflection during this 21st birthday year. I’m glad that your memories and your mission have sustained you through your loss. I will say a prayer for your family and Yolanda this month that you continue to find strength, through keeping Yolanda’s memory alive.. Thank you for sharing your May reflection and keeping HOPE alive for so many other parents who struggle to address their children’s mental health needs.

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by Patti Hackett-Hunter

Patti Hackett-Hunter — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:06:38 +0000

What a beautiful testimony…tI applaud you Mary Ann…you let us “see and feel” the joys that Yolanda brought to you and to others. I agree your daughter would want you to share the message of early screening and true care coordination with adequate funding for services. Her time may have been short – but her legacy and her message are long term and will motivate others to have HOPE, take action and not settle. Positive changes have to occur sooner than later. I thank-you for your voice and your eloquent message. Hugs…A mother of a May child too!

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by Carolyn Moore

Carolyn Moore — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:48:35 +0000

Yolanda was a beautiful girl, inside and out! My family and I miss her more than words can say. Her energy, passion and thoughtfulness is something that makes me smile when I think of her, which is often! Happy Birthday Yolanda.

Comment on Remembering Yolanda by Valerie Hammond

Valerie Hammond — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:06:42 +0000

blessings and warm, May moments to you, Mary Ann. thank you for sharing your powerful story with us, and for modeling strong, vibrant, advocacy.

Comment on Growing up on medication by Marie

Marie — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:09:59 +0000

Awesome – this is a great site to be honest – and to learn. Thank you

Comment on Growing up on medication by Marcy

Marcy — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:27:13 +0000

Thank you Lisa for beginning this conversation. If we truly want to integrate mental health with physical health – or reattach the head to the body as some say – we need to think about treatment the same way. The two are integrally intertwined. There are those doctors whose first line of intervention for any disease is medication; and there are those who encourage behavior change or alternative strategies. I applaud parents who seek out alternatives before starting psychiatric medications. Ultimately though, medication may be the right intervention – and similar to other medical conditions, not necessarily forever. My son has been unfortunate to have a chronic medical disease (diagnosed at age as well as emotional difficulties. Consequently, we explained the need for psychiatric medication as parallel to the need for his colitis medication. Both are medical conditions that need medication. And just as the medical condition changes over time, and the need for that medication changes over time so does the need for psychiatric medication. We have always talked openly and listened to our son’s thoughts and feelings about his medications and he knows we take his opinions seriously. His intense desire to be off the psych meds has contributed greatly to his motivation to learn and utilize other skills to manage his symptoms and behaviors – something we have encouraged. And he now is nearly medication-free. Again, this is a process parallel to other medical conditions – if you exercise and watch what you eat, you may be able to reduce or stop your blood pressure medication. Keep up the discussion – we are our children’s best advocates.