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Diane Roy(KALB)<\/p>\nALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) –<\/b> Diane Roy never expected the little boy she once cared for would one day become her son.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe came from a background of trauma, neglect, and abuse, physical abuse. So I started out as his caretaker, and then I became his foster parent and then his adoptive parent,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n
Now at 10 years old, Roy said her son lives with several mental health and developmental disorders.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at the age of three, I knew that he was a severe case and that I needed help with him. It\u2019s been a journey,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Diane Roy(KALB)<\/p>\n
Daily life revolves around appointments, school challenges and learning how to support a child with complex needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy child is a tough case. It just takes a lot of professionals. It takes a lot of education as a parent if you really want to help a child like mine,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n
Roy said what many people don\u2019t see is the emotional toll that comes with being a caregiver. While her son fights his own battles, she often feels like she\u2019s fighting right alongside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very heartbreaking when you see a child at such a young age, struggle with their problems,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n
The hardest moments are when people misunderstand what her son is going through.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are very quick to judge you. As a parent, your child…I\u2019ve been told he\u2019s smart, he just needs to behave, and it\u2019s like, oh boy, if it were only that simple,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n
Valarie Williams, owner of Peace of Mind Psychiatric Services in Alexandria, is a licensed nurse practitioner who treats Roy\u2019s son, who says caregivers also have to take care of themselves through the process.<\/p>\n
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Valarie Williams(KALB)<\/p>\n
\u201cI always tell caregivers that you can\u2019t pour from an empty cup. So it\u2019s important that you refill your cup,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Williams shared that the stigma surrounding mental illness still prevents many families from asking for help.<\/p>\n
\u201cStigma related around mental illness and people associate mental illness and admitting that you have a problem and need help, or suffering from a mental illness and need help, they equate that to weakness,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n
Through every setback, Roy said she still sees the little boy she adopted years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s really a sweet child. He just…he struggles with mental illness. And I mean, it\u2019s real,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Even on the toughest days, giving up is never an option.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou got to keep a sense of humor. Otherwise, you\u2019ll just cry. But you can\u2019t give up for your child,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n
She hopes other families hearing her story take away one message.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not be ashamed. Get help. There\u2019s help out there,\u201d Roy said.<\/p>\n