Anyone?

Dealing with a Home-Country Crisis

Less than two months into our new assignment in Shanghai, we received disturbing news that our youngest adult child, a young man only weeks from his 21^st birthday, was suffering with what appeared at the time acute depression.

I left Shanghai the end of May. I am writing this blog on my return flight to Shanghai, September 29. To put things bluntly, our family has been through hell this summer, and at four months into our new lives as we know it, we’re nowhere settling this most unsettling situation. To the point, fate has dealt our son a most regrettable mental disorder. There’s no cure, only managed health care. But the catch with all persons suffering with debilitating mental disorders; it is extremely difficult for them to reason past their perceived realities to understand they need help.

The details of my son’s illness are not mine to share. The point is, dealing with such derailing circumstances would be incredibly difficult for any family, but factor our expat lives into the equation and we’ve got a royal mess on our hands.

I’ve not blogged all summer because of the energies it has taken to deal with the myriad of issues we’ve faced; I’ve faced, actually. My husband has had his own issues with which to struggle – we’ve neither had it easy.

We’ve done for our son all we can at the moment. I am flying back to Shanghai with a heavy heart for my son, but for a happiness to see and be with the love of my life. But my time in Shanghai will be short. I am flying back in a month.

I welcome anyone’s advise who has dealt with a crisis at home while living as expats.