I think one of the biggest problems, smallworld, is that very few doctors in Australia recognise childhood bipolar. We really do have big problems and the excrement is about to hit the air conditioning, politically.
But we do have an election coming up.
You're in an interesting electorate, Paula. How about sending an email to your local MP? Keep it down to a single page if you can, summarise the problem, list how long you've been trying to find answers, tell how dangerous this kid is to himself and others, especially you and your daughter, and how you haven't even been able to get a thorough evaluation, in all these months.
Then find out who the other party is running, and if you get no immediate joy from your MP, send the other party a copy. I'm not up on the electoral boundaries and who's who in your area, I think you're in Werriwa? It was Macarthur, and Liberal, when I lived there but I think you're in a Labor area now. If so - good. They have brownie points they're desperately trying to earn. If it's a swinging seat - absolutely fabulous. Even if it's a LIberal seat, the swing in the polls is so great, the Libs are running terrified. Use it. It doesn't matter which party you vote for, they're there to represent you.
Find some way to justify hassling a Federal politician - bring it back to disability, or Medicare, or similar. Tell them that this has to be handled Federally since the problem is failure of the entire health system to meet the needs of vulnerable children in the community (heart strings stuff). Let 'er rip. Because the regular channels are failing you badly.
Marg
