Just so we don’t take life too casually and forget that Angel has dissociative identity disorder, every now and then something happens to snap us back into the realization that Angel has many “parts”, especially an “angry” part and at least 2 other parts that took all of the abuse as an infant and toddler . The other parts do not know these parts, but they are aware the exist. Every now and then the angry one does something to remind them, lest they forget the great sacrifice he made so they could generally lead a happy, successful life. Last night was such a time. Angel had brought home an artwork on a large poster board. He had painstakingly drawn a huge apple tree, and cut out apples. He had a beautiful happy sun in the corner of the picture, and apples representing Marie, Stephen, Francis, Dinora, me and my husband, his dog, and 9 apples to represent himself. It was a happy picture of our family. Proud of his artwork, he had it hanging on the wall in his bedroom. This morning when he woke up, the sun and most of the apples had been “blacked out” with black charcoal, (where did he get THAT?) The only thing left untouched were 3 of his, representing the 3 parts of which he is not generally aware! If it weren’t true, it would be unbelievable.
To read more about Angel’s story, and the story of the rest of our amazing family, please purchase The Apple Tree: Raising 5 Kids with Disabilities and Remaining Sane from I-Books. Thanks for the support!
Raising 5 Kids With Disabilities and Remaining Sane Blog 
Comments on: "The Apple Tree Message" (13)
Oh, wow! That’s amazing! I have DID myself. I am also a teacher for children with emotional.behavioral disorders. I find this intriguing both as one with DID and as a teacher. Thanks for sharing.
~Secret Shadows
I’ve always known Angel could grow to be a full functioning adult, so it is nice to hear from someone who has been through it! Congratulations!
Wow… I had a student once who was in parts…. He said he sent the good part to school because he like it there, but the “other” one came out at home a lot. He tried to burn his house down with his family inside…. He was link of like the old poem…. When he was good, he was VERY good but when he was bad he was horrid.
You are AMAZING you know… God put you here for a specific purpose. There are so many people who wouldn’t be able to do what you do.
I do find Angel’s experience intriguing… Does he remember doing that to his picture or was it the “other” that left the three pieces of him? (You don’t have to answer, just curious) 😀
My son’s parts were disorganized when he began school…he’d study hard for a test, know it 100%,and then a different part would take it and he would flunk! Fortunately, his teachers made accommodations for that.
You are supermom!
Not really…I just live a very interesting, adventure filled life!!!
I “liked” this post… but it cut like a knife. hugs to you all on dark days x
Thank you so much. I, too, find it hard to click “like” on a post which I thought was good but the material was not “good”, if you know what I mean.
I know exactly what you mean! hence my “”
Thank you for visiting my blog and leading me to yours. It sounds like we have some things in common and I can’t wait to read more of your posts and your e-book. I have a daughter adopted out of fostercare with a DID diagnoses. Thankfully, her case is mild and she is really re-integrating well. That being said, it is still not easy. God bless you on your journey!
I never met another mom of a kid with DID. I was told that most of the people with that diagnosis are not diagnosed until they are well into adult hood and have led shattered lives. Catching it “early” helps a great deal. Angel understands it completely. It is funny because his therapist wanted to integrate his “selves”, but he refused. He said to do so would be like an abortion… Very odd comment, but I understand it given his very distinct personalities.
I doubt you’ll see this reply to a very old post, and I’m sure you’re busy. I’m just curious. Have Angel’s parts learned to pass what one knows to another one, or is he still stuck if a different part learned something he needs today? Can he get to the three parts that carry his abuse, say, in therapy, or do they just pop out when they can’t keep it in any more?
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