ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – Diane Roy never expected the little boy she once cared for would one day become her son.
“He came from a background of trauma, neglect, and abuse, physical abuse. So I started out as his caretaker, and then I became his foster parent and then his adoptive parent,” Roy said.
Now at 10 years old, Roy said her son lives with several mental health and developmental disorders.
“But at the age of three, I knew that he was a severe case and that I needed help with him. It’s been a journey,” she said.
Diane Roy(KALB)
Daily life revolves around appointments, school challenges and learning how to support a child with complex needs.
“My child is a tough case. It just takes a lot of professionals. It takes a lot of education as a parent if you really want to help a child like mine,” Roy said.
Roy said what many people don’t see is the emotional toll that comes with being a caregiver. While her son fights his own battles, she often feels like she’s fighting right alongside him.
“It’s very heartbreaking when you see a child at such a young age, struggle with their problems,” Roy said.
The hardest moments are when people misunderstand what her son is going through.
“People are very quick to judge you. As a parent, your child…I’ve been told he’s smart, he just needs to behave, and it’s like, oh boy, if it were only that simple,” Roy said.
Valarie Williams, owner of Peace of Mind Psychiatric Services in Alexandria, is a licensed nurse practitioner who treats Roy’s son, who says caregivers also have to take care of themselves through the process.
Valarie Williams(KALB)
“I always tell caregivers that you can’t pour from an empty cup. So it’s important that you refill your cup,” she said.
Williams shared that the stigma surrounding mental illness still prevents many families from asking for help.
“Stigma related around mental illness and people associate mental illness and admitting that you have a problem and need help, or suffering from a mental illness and need help, they equate that to weakness,” Williams said.
Through every setback, Roy said she still sees the little boy she adopted years ago.
“He’s really a sweet child. He just…he struggles with mental illness. And I mean, it’s real,” she said.
Even on the toughest days, giving up is never an option.
“You got to keep a sense of humor. Otherwise, you’ll just cry. But you can’t give up for your child,” Roy said.
She hopes other families hearing her story take away one message.
“Do not be ashamed. Get help. There’s help out there,” Roy said.
Click here to report a typo. Please provide the title of the article in your email.
Copyright 2026 KALB. All rights reserved.