Update: Leeland’s Journey – September 2024
Dear Supporters,
We’re grateful for your continued support and wanted to provide a quick update on Leeland’s journey over the past month.
Progress and Challenges
Leeland is still working on improving his score, but he has not yet been able to meet the required level. While his score has risen slightly, his high impulsivity and difficulty thinking through the consequences of his actions remain significant challenges. He is trying, but the road ahead is still long & tough.
Reconnect and Family Counseling – October 5
We had another reconnect with Leeland on October 5, and it was a very up-and-down day. While it’s always wonderful to see him, he continues to struggle with social skills and making friends. However, one very positive step occurred during our family counseling session that day—Leeland didn’t shut down. For the first time, he opened up about his feelings and shared things that have impacted him. This was a big breakthrough, and we’re hopeful it’s a sign of growth and healing.
Looking Forward
As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting Leeland through this journey. We ask for your continued prayers and encouragement as we work together toward his progress. Rueben and I continue to work on ourselves and being a better version of ourselves when Leeland comes home. This is all very time consuming and unfortunately doesn’t come without a cost.
Your Support is Crucial
Your generosity continues to make a profound impact on Leeland’s mental health and well-being. Every contribution helps him take one step closer to becoming the person we know he can be.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We will keep you updated on his progress.
With gratitude,
Amber & Rueben
www.teenchallengeranch.com
Update: Leeland’s Journey – August 2024
We are so grateful for your continued support and wanted to share some recent updates about Leeland’s journey!
Reconnect Visit:
On August 3rd, we had our first reconnect visit with Leeland, and it went better than anticipated. Leeland was genuinely happy to see us, and we noticed several positive changes in him. He has built some good friendships that are positively influencing him. While he is still struggling to meet the required score to level up, what has changed is that he cares now and wants to do better. During our visit we noted he was more independent and not asking us to do everything for him. He also went forward at chapel and he would have never done that before with such a large crowd.
Progress:
Since arriving at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch (TCAR), Leeland has faced significant challenges, including maintaining responsibilities and managing impulsivity. His weekly score as an entry-level student needs to be a consistent 3.0. Recently his weekly average went from a 2.02 to a 2.87. He still has a long way to go but we are starting to see him make some progress.
Why Your Support Matters:
This journey is long and costly, but your support is crucial. Mental Health is talked about a lot in the news but what you don’t see is the lack of facilities and support for our Youth, The facilities that are there are considered out of network by ALL insurance companies, The need is high, most facilities have a waitlist and/or turn teens away weekly. Some parents travel across the country just to find the help they need for their son. Also just making people aware of this, the reality does not match what you see in the papers and media.
Join Us in Supporting Leeland:
We deeply appreciate your generosity and encouragement. If you haven’t yet donated or feel inspired to contribute again, please consider doing so. Every donation, no matter the size, brings Leeland closer to a brighter future and helps to provide the necessary resources for Leeland’s mental health and well-being, helping him become a better and healthier person. Your support makes a world of difference.
Thank you for being a part of Leeland’s journey. We look forward to sharing more updates with you.
With gratitude,
Amber & Rueben
Update: Leeland’s Journey – July 2024
Dear Supporters,
We are so grateful for your continued support and wanted to share some recent updates about Leeland’s journey!
Challenges and Progress
Since arriving, Leeland has faced significant challenges, struggling with defiance and maintaining his responsibilities. His weekly score as an entry level student needs to be a consistent 3.0, but it’s been averaging 2.02 due to impulsivity and acting out. Despite these difficulties, we’ve seen some positive developments over the past two weeks. Leeland seems to have turned a corner and he is making efforts to improve his behavior and do the work. In the next week or so, they are going to be moving Leeland up to the Grizzly Hall. This will give him more privileges and an opportunity to have more accountability and role models. Additionally, Leeland requested a haircut, so we’ve attached a new picture of him looking great with his fresh cut.
Why Your Support Matters
This journey is long and costly, but your support is crucial. Your donations provide the necessary resources for Leeland’s mental health and well-being, helping him become a better and healthier person.
Join Us in Supporting Leeland
We deeply appreciate your generosity and encouragement. If you haven’t yet donated or feel inspired to contribute again, please consider doing so. Every donation, no matter the size, brings Leeland closer to a brighter future. Your support makes a world of difference.
Thank you for being a part of Leeland’s journey. We look forward to sharing more updates with you.
With gratitude,
Amber
6/18/2024 – We wanted to share a quick update on Leeland’s progress this past week.
Special Moment with His Horse – Leeland had a wonderful time working with his horse, the staff captured a great picture of this special moment.
Managing Allergies – The medical team is working on new ways to control Leeland’s allergies. Progress has been slow, but we are hopeful.
Heartfelt Thank You! We cannot thank you enough for your support. Your donations are making a big difference in Leeland’s life, and we are so grateful.
Thank you for being a part of Leeland’s journey.
With gratitude, Amber
6/8/2024 update. We had our first family therapy session this week, Leeland was very talkative and overall upbeat. He is struggling to make score (needs to be a daily avg. of 3.0 to be able to level up and earn more privileges). We were told that typically 3 weeks in, Level 0 students are making score more than not. He has yet to make score. He is very low in obedience and respect so we discussed this with him and made a plan. This week he is to ask other Staff around him on what he can do to improve that score and he is to work with his therapist on setting a personal goal to bring up these scores. With each level they get a bit more freedom and can have more personal items. On other note, he was not following several rules, which then got him deemed as a potential flight risk, so he has to wear an ankle monitor again until he can correct that behavior. He is still blaming others for everything that doesn’t go his way and why he isn’t meeting score. He still has a long way to go and much progress to be made. I pray that his heart is changed and we will be able to join him on reconnect day in August.
5/29/2024 update. We attended our first parent zoom town hall meeting this week. The turnout was encouraging, and we had the opportunity to hear from other parents and expectations as new parents
Progress Report on Leeland
We also received our first progress report on Leeland. As expected, Leeland is showing his typical behavior. While this is not unexpected, it does remind us of the ongoing challenges we face. Leeland’s situation continues to be a priority, and we are committed to providing him with the best care and support possible.
Personal Update
On a more personal note, it’s been a particularly tough week. With Leeland away, the emotional strain has been significant. Additionally, we are in the process of preparing the house for sale, which adds another layer of stress. However, we remain focused and dedicated to doing all we can for Leeland.
Thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this challenging time. Together, we will keep pushing forward and make a difference.
Best regards,
Amber
Mental health is as vital as physical health but, unfortunately, it is much harder to diagnose and treat. Let me tell you about Leeland. He was born a healthy and happy baby boy in 2010. As time went by, mom had to go back to work so Leeland started daycare. There were challenging situations and then a wonderful lady suggested that Mom have Leeland tested for ADHD. That was the beginning of multiple doctors, testing, medicines, and therapist. For 14 years, Leeland has battled mental health illness. Diagnosed with ADHD, ODD, DMDD and CD, Leeland struggles in daily interactions with people and even himself. Anger, aggression, impulsiveness, and deep depression are just a few of what Leeland deals with. He has resorted to cutting, suicidal thoughts and rage.
Many nights Mom has cried and wondered what she could have done differently. What more can she do? Doctors have told her that medicines are just training wheels and he is going to have to work on the mental health issues himself. The problem is Leeland doesn’t see a problem in his behavior or thoughts. He has spent time in respite, the ER, hospital acute care, and has had several mental health assessments. As a Mom & Dad, there is nothing more than wanting your son to be healed. For them to be a productive person and live life to the fullest.
We are running out of options to help him through the current mental health system. This is where I need your help! We have been directed towards an amazing residential facility that helps teens just like Leeland to be in control of their mind, body and actions. Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is located in western Arkansas and not only focuses on helping your child but it has a strong family portion and transition plan afterwards. They accept insurance, but there is still a LARGE amount of out of pocket expense.
Please consider helping and donate for Leeland to get him the best care so he can come home and live a wonderful life that I believe God has for him.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!!!
www.teenchallangeranch.com
Dear Supporters,
We are thrilled to share a big milestone in Leeland’s journey—he has leveled up to Level 1! This has been a long and challenging road, as the average time to move from entry-level to Level 1 is about three months, but it took Leeland nearly six months to get here. Despite the extended timeline, this achievement reflects significant growth and determination.
A Shift in Mindset
One of the most remarkable changes we’ve seen is in Leeland’s mindset. He’s gone from saying, “I can’t do that,” to acknowledging that tasks are hard but showing a willingness to try and an understanding that he is capable of more than he believes, he is believing in himself. This shift is a testament to his growing resilience and determination to improve.
New Privileges and Responsibilities
With this milestone, Leeland now enjoys some well-earned privileges:
- Weekly phone calls home.
- His own shoes and other personal items.
- Additional school classes & more free time.
- This also earns him a 3 day home pass along with home for a few days over Christmas.
Leveling up also means more challenges and opportunities to apply what he has been working on for the past six months. He’ll now face situations designed to help him practice and refine his skills with more “real-life” challenges included.
Looking Ahead
Beyond Level 1, there’s another level to reach. From there, Leeland can start applying for Cadre status and participate in if he chooses such as mission trips and leadership roles. These opportunities are exciting milestones we hope he’ll work toward in the months ahead.
Your Impact
Leeland’s progress is a testament to your support, prayers, and generosity. Every step he takes toward healing and growth is made possible through your contributions.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We look forward to sharing even more positive updates soon.
With gratitude,
Amber & Rueben