A Battle of Courage and Custody

by Jeree in Texas

I suffer from depression and have most of my life. I have been on and off of anti-depressants since I was 19.

About 3 years ago, I sunk into a deep depression. My brother committed suicide, I lost my fathe- in-law to cancer, and my husband and I separated and divorced. I was taking my medication and seeing my therapist every other week. My psychiatrist decided to change my medication, I began going through withdrawals. I went to the hospital, told them I was having suicidal thoughts. I was admitted for four days.

The reason I am writing this story is because I lost parental guardianship over my daughter due to me admitting myself into the hospital. I did not attempt suicide, I made sure my daughter was well taken care of, however ; my ex-husband took me to court stating I was a danger to my, at that time, 3-year-old daughter. I went to court fighting for her, my attorney, my daughter's attorney, psychiatrist, therapist all said she should stay with her mother. However, the Judge made a ruling that changed my daughters life and my life forever.

I want people to understand that depression is just like any other illness. I should not have had to let my daughter live with her father because I have depression. I don't think anyone would take my daughter away from me if I was a diabetic and checked myself in the hospital if my sugar was too high. I have contacted lawyers from all over the Houston area to get my daughter back.

Every attorney I have talked to states they don't know how this happened. Yet they want 10 to 15 thousand dollars to take my case. And they say I am mentally ill.