Terri, along with her husband John, adopted their grandson, John Ross, through a very difficult and long process.   John 's primary diagnosis is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Children with fetal alcohol syndrome tend to have multiple mental health issues from ADHD to psychosis.  Unfortunately, John Ross has these.  He also has aggressive behaviors which are common in FAS kids. John's aggressive behaviors are intensified by his developmental delays which are as much as 3-4 years behind his chronological age. 
 
The overall consensus is that Terri Clyde is an inspiration to us all.  She is an amazing woman, mother, grandmother and friend.  She is looked upon as a role model and teacher.  While we might say, "I wish I could do something about ...," Terri gets up and does it.  Terri has written to Governor Lynch and had other professionals and parents write to him as well, about the lack of pediatric mental health care in the state of New Hampshire. 
 
When asked "What have you done to advocate for your family?"  Terri states, "Every child's mental and physical health matters.  I have been advocating for this now seriously for the past 3 years.  My son, John, has been through a lot in his very short life and finding mental health care for him has not been easy.  It is very hard to find anything for children in the state of NH, let alone for a child under the age of 6 years.   When a child is having psychotic breaks and you can find no one to help you, there is something terribly wrong with the system.  I have written to Governor Lynch about my concerns and frustration over this matter and continue to follow what is happening in NH with mental health care for children; attending when I can conferences.    Continuity and integration of mental health and physical health are very important and I feel they should not be separated from each other.   Providers need to communicate better with each other and there is a lack of pediatric mental health care providers in the state of NH.    Unfortunately as I talk with you now the 10 Community Mental Health Centers are looking at severe budget cuts for 2010 and 2011 even though the state is looking at an increase in mental health needs. "
 
Terri recently attended a press conference and briefing of the Mental Health Services for NH's Young Children and their Families report at the Legislative Office Building and spoke as a parent of a young child with mental illness.  It took real courage to do this in a room full of professionals. 
 
One of the five protective factors promoted by Strengthening Families is Social Connections.  Terri finds this support in the Early Childhood Adventures Family Support Group at the Adult Learning Center in Nashua.  She says, "I have been involved with the Early Childhood Adventures/Adult Learning Center Family Support Group since it began about 5 years ago.  It has been an integral part of my life and my son's life.  We both have made friends there and learned from the people we have met.   It is truly a support group.   We learn from each other's accomplishments and mistakes, we have wept with each other over difficult situations and terrible losses.  We have laughed over many things and celebrated wonderful things."  She goes on to speak about the transition they will be going through soon:  " My son will be moving on to public school next year as he starts full time kindergarten in special education and we will no longer be able to attend this program.  It will be a loss for both of us.  When you have been a part of something for so long it is hard to say goodbye."  I believe this says a lot about the need for and importance of support groups for parents of children throughout all developmental stages.

Terri has gone beyond what most people would do to fight for her family and yet, when asked what it meant to her to receive the Unsung Hero Award in 2008 she states, "It was a humbling honor to be recognized among so many other wonderful people."

When I asked Terri if there was something she could teach other parents that she had learned from her own experience, she stated "Never give up. When it looks like the light will never come at the end of that long tunnel, your child will do something or say something totally amazing that will illuminate the darkness you are feeling!"

For more information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website by clicking here.