Misunderstanding

       When someone does not know all the facts or the situation fully, there leaves a lot of room for misunderstandings regarding a situation. Like in this picture to the left, is this a joyous moment or a upsetting time for this girl? The facial feature suggests that it is a solemn, serious time yet her dress suggests a happy time. Who is to say what is surrounding this little girls day. Rest assured that this girls day was a joyous one, it was the day her father married his second wife. The photographer wanted it to be a sweet picture that she will remember the day and how she felt to be shown even years later.

     Too many times people misread a situation by looking at the facts and not what was motivating the behavior. My DD #2 is dealing with just that in the court system. The lawyers involved are taking the facts of her case without looking at why she did what she did to get herself in trouble with the law. Too many times we look at just part of a situation and refuse to see the other side.

     This week we found out that my DD #2's past issues are being brought to the table in addition to her current issues. So instead of her facing just two issues, we are facing twelve. What a burden to place of a young teens shoulders. The judge in this case has voiced his opinion regarding the lawyers petition and without really saying so, has reprimanded the lawyer for asking the past to be placed with the present.

      Granted I know that it is the lawyers job to make a case out of facts and paint a picture of the events, no matter how unreasonable the charges are. Too many times innocent behaviors are blown way out of proportion or misunderstood because the background knowledge is not looked at. Even hearing the facts of a case from a medical or mental health side of things, the lawyer may just brush it too the side and refuse to look at it because it would hurt their side of the story.

     Why do things like this have to happen? Why would someone put a child with documented MI be put though this type of situation? Too many out there don't even think MI is really a true defense nor will they every accept that as a point of view. With this being said, a person with significant MI will never get a fair case/trial. It is placed on the shoulders of the lawyers that do believe in MI cases to defend them. No matter how much documentation one has may not be enough though. Misunderstandings can really hurt more then just the MI persons life. It can affect all those around them who love them. Keep this in mind the next time you may see someone doing something odd or weird. Don't be so quick to judge because you do not know the whole picture.