Control

[Cammy]

The beginning was a hard time for us - especially the denial of "No, they're nuts! This can't be! They've made the wrong diagnosis!" Then over time the realization, finding out the truth for ourselves and the horror of finding out about the amnesia barriers and wondering, "What am I doing when I'm not me?" It's always scary and chaotic at first. But then, as you start to work with it, start to know whose who in the zoo, things start to form into a sort of order. Then you start to find your own ways to bring order to the chaos. Mostly making sure that no one is left out and that everyone gets validation and recognition seems really important. Once everyone knows they are recognized and won't be ignored, things might well settle down - it did for me. Once the settling happened, then the most appropriate persona could comfortably take the driver's seat and represent the whole system to the outside world, with the inside world knowing it would be heard by her when needed.