Diagnosing OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) in children

When my son was just 10 years old he had developed some very odd habits that at times could and would be very annoying. He would walk four or five steps and then reach down and touch the ground. When he opened a door, he would have to reach back and touch both the front and back of the door knob two or three times. He would ask me questions and after I gave him answers he would come back to me three or four times asking me if I were sure that whatever the answer was I had given him was correct. At times I just wanted to scream.

While walking down the stairs he would run his hand along the railing. If while doing this he "accidentally" missed a spot, he would have to go back up to the top of the stairs and start all over again. I tried my best to be patient with him, but at times I felt like I was going to explode. I was a single mom of four children working two jobs. He was my youngest child and my only son. He seemed so very different in every aspect then my three daughters. They were forever asking me, "What's wrong with Billy?"

He was an excellent athlete and had played basketball from the time he was four years old. It had gotten to the point where he would literally be running down the court, reach down, touch the basketball court and keep running. He did it so quickly that no one even noticed, until one day I mentioned it to his coach. He watched and saw him do it. He was amazed.

I knew something was not "right." I took him to a Child Psychiatrist. We sat in the room as the Dr. asked him a series of questions, such as, " Billy, what would happen if as you're walking down the stairs running your hand along the railing, you miss a spot and just keep going without starting over again?" Too which Billy responded that he had tried, but can't do it. He "has" to do it "right." The Dr. looked at us and said, "Your son has OCD." I started crying. My son had no idea what it meant. My tears were tears of joy. I was so relieved. I said, "Oh my gosh, thank you so much!" I was afraid he had a brain tumor or something much worse. The doctor laughed. We sat and he shared stories about various people who suffered from OCD including a very popular NBA athlete. This athlete had to tie and untie his shoes at least 30 times before each basketball game. My son liked that.

It was amazing because after my son and I found out that he had OCD both of us were so relieved. I observed him closely and his symptoms improved tremendously. The Dr. explained that his symptoms would come and go throughout his life. He said sometimes they will be more intense then others. The Dr. stated that just being aware of the fact that he had OCD and understood this would help. My son is now 22 years old. Every now and then he does things that I know have to do with OCD and I bring it to his attention and he quickly adjusts. It's an on-going battle, but with knowledge and understanding of his diagnosis we are both a lot more at peace. No more stress about what is "wrong" with my son.

Adopting a foster child as a single parent

I was a middle aged woman in my 40's with four adult children when my now six year old daughter, was by the grace of GOD placed in my life. I had already raised my own children as a single mom working two jobs for over 15 years when Kashe came into our lives. Her biological mom called me up one day and said she was very overwhelmed and asked me to take her four children for a few days. I had met all of her other children, but never her new five month old baby. My daughters' and I drove to pick them up. That was in July 2002 and I've had the baby ever since. Her biological mom never got her life together where she was able to get her children back. I had no intentions of keeping this precious baby girl forever. My plan was to keep her safe and loved until her mom got her life back on track.

After having the baby in my care for almost two years I pursued to adopt her. The state of Washington gave me so much grief it was unreal. It took me almost two more years after that to finally legally adopt her. DSHS put my family and myself through the ringer. I fought with every bit of my being for this little girl who I had grown to love so dearly as if she were my own. The State of Washington did everything in their power to take her from me.It was simply a power struggle between the DSHS case worker and myself. In the end it was the Judge/Court who had the final say so as to what this little girl's fate would be. Thanks to GOD they allowed me to adopt her. She is now the love of my life. She's the reason I take each breath each day. She is my heart and soul. I love her more than I imagined possible. While I am old enough to be her grandma (I am 50 yrs old) she keeps me young at heart and in spirit. She knows she is adopted and she's seen pics of her biological parents. She is open and honest about it. She is so smart for being only six years old. She says she is happy to be adopted. When she was about four when we talked about her being adopted it started because she asked about being in my stomach. I told her that she didn't grow in my stomach, that she grew in my heart and that I was blessed with her by GOD. I chose her.

If anyone out there thinks that it's impossible to adopt because you are not married and don't have a lot of money, think again. Contact me and I will help you in any way I can.

All my children are adults and I honestly don't know where I would be in my life right now had it not been for GOD placing this beautiful child in my life. I know it was just meant to be.

Take Care! Julie