"Finding our son"

Our son left home about 7 years ago we never knew why he just walked out, we tried on many occasions to find him, it was a long hard journey as we would get the odd word about him being on the streets so we tried to help and also asked for help but no one would help they always said he is an adult but we kept saying he needed help so every day was a nightmare, we waited to hear the door go to tell us he was dead.

We phoned everyone we could and begged them for help, then one day the police contacted us to say our son was safe but would be sectioned in Ravencraig ward Kirkcaldy. My first words were thank God someone will help him, it was not easy but for the first time in years I could sleep knowing he was safe in a safe environment and people who can help him.

We went to a meeting with Dr Ramaiah, our son and a nurse. It was a hard meeting, Dr Ramaih sat and listened and as I looked at him I knew this Dr cares, he can help our son. My heart went out to the nurse as our son lost his temper and became very angry, but Dr Ramaih just sat there patiently and put our son first. I felt he is a good Dr, willing to sit and not react to allow our son time even when he was angry. I could see when he quietly and calmly got up to take our son back to the ward that this Dr was listening and I had hope our son is getting help for the first time they see him they care.

When I would phone I was always told they could not discuss our son unless our son gave his permission, which he would not do. But Leanne, the senior nurse in charge, was very kind and respectful in answering me and reassured us our son was getting the help he needed.

The first few weeks I felt useless and hurt, I could not help my son as I did not understand what he was realy going through, I could not understand his condition but every time I phoned I was able to ask is he ok they would say yes. I began to trust them, as Leanne the senior nurse was always very caring and positive, she never once told me anything about our son and kept his confidentiality, which showed me he was with people he could trust. I know they took a lot from him when he was angry, the poor nurses stayed calm and never went against him.

Then we were able to meet our son outside as he was on medication. For the first time in 7 years we saw a calm young man, still a bit angry, but we could talk to him. He eventually got home to his flat, we were so worried how this would go but the nurses were very positive and reassured us.

For the first time in many years we got our son back, we had an amazing day with him and laughed together, he hugged us and told us he was glad we never gave up on him, we talked about family and he knew this would take time as there was so much hurt but the most important thing was we had our son back and if it is only for a short while as we don’t know what tomorrow will bring but today we got a great gift.

It is thanks to Dr Ramaih, senior nurse Leanne, and all the lovely nurses for their understanding and dedication to helping our son, we could never thank them and their team enough for giving us this time with him, it is now up to our son to continue but he has good people to help him and I pray he stays on his medication as we have our son back and like I said only time will tell but at least we know there is people out their that do care and we met them in Ravenscraig ward.

Their dedication and care is a gift and even though we are still unsure what the future brings us and our son,the staff at Ravencraig ward gave us our son back. Thank you from our heart and we pray for you all that more families can get the day we got. My wish is for our son to become stronger and live his life a day at a time knowing he is a strong young man with a future.