A Lovely Victory

The school struggle is real for those with Anxiety, and it is extremely challenging for any parent to live with day in and day out. As you all know, I understand and appreciate how HARD it all is, but there is hope in the end….I promise.

This is a piece I wrote a while ago but was waiting to share!

June 2019

The most amazing thing happened this week. Chelsea called me from school extremely EXCITED. I usually dread calls during a school day as it generally means she was having a hard time! But to my relief, she was busting with EXCITEMENT.

“I have been nominated for an award.”

The teacher later told me that after she read the letter, she hugged it and her smile said it all. Chelsea has never been nominated for anything, and this was something to be very proud of.

“Mum it doesn’t matter if I don’t win its just the fact I have been nominated"

We are so Proud of her in so many ways, the fact she has been nominated and that she is just content with that. Her joy and excitement was the most wonderful thing to hear as it is not often we hear anything like that from her anymore.

The only issue was the closer the night got the more anxious she became about having to attend the award ceremony. Chelsea questioned if she could do it all and if she should go…..but like we explained she had to attend. If she didn’t, she was going to disappoint those who nominated her, and she too would be disappointed in herself for NOT attending.

The night came, and Ryan, her very supportive friend from Elementary school, called and asked if he could pick her up and take her for a drink as he too was up for a school award. The best thing he did as I am not sure if she would have attended as her anxiety was building whilst at home so for this we are extremely grateful that he did…..but like he said

“The girl who has anxiety is the girl they are expecting to get up on stage and accept an award?!!!!”

Anyway, he had that covered and said he too would walk on stage with Chelsea if needed.

The night was filled with many academic achievement awards, and the school gym was filled to the brim with teachers, students and parents. It was a hot night and the combination of heat – noise – and people was a challenging one but once again thankful as Ryan was the one who helped Chelsea through it all. One of the people who also made an effort to attend was her counsellor from the Child and Youth Mental Health unit, which Surprised Chelsea but made her extremely happy to have there.

Now you have to realize we had no clue as to what Award Chelsea was up for, I was just told to bring tissues and that all of us should attend.!!!! So here we go there are now only 3 awards left, and Chelsea has not been called up yet……Then we knew this one was for her. Both her school councillor and one of her favourite teachers (and she has many favourite teachers so please don’t feel left out there!!) were on the stage. As we listened, this was our daughter they were talking about and yes you have guessed it all three of us, and our friends were crying as they spoke about her.

"This award means the most to me because it celebrates overcoming adversity. While many of us struggle through personal challenges that some will never experience, it is these tough time that we learn the most about ourselves.

To say this individual has turned things around is an understatement. Through her heroic perseverance and determination to push on, she is ultimately successful in accomplishing her goals of graduating.

This year’s rising mariner also had some exceptional support along the way. No one gets there alone, and family really does make a difference.

Family is such an all-encompassing word because today, families extend so far beyond the home. To stick together through the trying time, knowing that there are seldom any right answers, we get up and keep moving forward.

It is with great joy and pride that we honour this year’s Senior Rising Mariner Chelsea….."

I have to say some of it was a bit of a blur as this was the icing on the cake to finishing high school with. Chelsea made it and not only did she make it to that finishing line, the school recognized how challenging it was, how hard she worked to get there and that she MADE it. This was an inspirational moment for not just Chelsea but for others who were having a hard time knowing that with so much hard work, they too can do it.

I want to share that there’s hope for children with anxiety, that finishing school, despite how hard it may seem IS possible. Regardless of whether or not the school, students or their teachers recognize their achievements, it’s important that you as a parent DO. Because like with our daughter, that achievement gave her that much more confidence and made graduating high school that much sweeter.