Journal entry by Amanda Esau —
Hello, a lot has happened since the last update. Bryce has run away four times and attempted a fifth time. He was telling anybody and everybody that we were abusing him. He thinks if he lived in a “Mennonite” home he would have no problems and he would be healed by now (if anybody feels lead to open their home call the home staff). DSS has been involved, which was such a blessing because they got us the help we so desperately needed for Bryce. The sheriffs have been here twice as well as Mobile Crisis. He was involuntarily commented for four days and finally, we got in to see a psychologist. They put Bryce on some medication and within five days we could see a huge change but since then that has seemed to taper a little but believe me when I say nothing to the extent he was before the meds.
Since he was put on medication he has said that he knows he isn’t who he was before the accident and that he knows he has to make changes for who he is now. He is on board to work on his gut health, interesting enough there is a correlation between TBI and gut health. TBI has reactions that show up throughout the body and it is very common to change the health of your gut. It can be managed by diet and supplements and Bryce has sat down with me to pick out recipes he would eat. After our recipe session, he said “this isn’t going to be as bad as I thought”, let’s hope he still feels that way when he is going through sugar withdrawals!
When Bryce is in a good place mentally he is funny, kind, helpful, and truly pleasant to be around. When Bryce is in a dark place mentally it is like having a three-year-old throw a tantrum in a sixteen-year-old body.
The local staff and congregation have been wonderful with prayers, words of encouragement, and generally there to help out. We thank you all for your prayers and you are welcome to reach out if at any time you have questions or advice.
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