This next Thurs (Mug 12th) in Coeur d’Alene, ID there is a Recovery Conference for those with mental health issues. This year I have sat on the planning committee. The theme is whole-body wellness. We have speakers from various parts of the community to speak on ways to work on whole balance. If you live […]
Agoraphobia is a terrible debilitating illness. It can keep a person chained to their home for years if help is not sought. I was reading an email list I am on and someone was talking about her issues with the disorder. I wrote to her about how I overcame my problems with it. I thought […]
I have spoken about my being in a 12 Step recovery program. This summer there is a 75 yr International Conference in San Antonio, TX. People from all over the year will be coming to the conference. Today I received an email to ask if I would speak on the subject of members with special […]
At the NAMI meeting this month we had a speaker from the local Vet Center named Mike Ogle. He spoke on PTSD and its symptoms. It was an excellent presentation, especially in regard to our men in their service to our country. As always I took extensive notes. I wanted to share what I learned. […]
Back in the fall of 2009, I was asked to start a 12 Step group for people who had mental illness and chemical addiction. I think I mentioned this in a previous post. Right now, our group has grown to two nights. We have had a steady number of people coming, although the numbers are […]
Per request from some people, I started a Dual Recovery mtg in my area. It is a 12 Step program for people with chemical addictions and mental illness. You can look it up online at http://www.draonline.org/ to get information on starting a group in your area. It has really been beneficial for people here. Sometimes an […]
I have mentioned my son a few times during past posting. For the most part, he is glad he is not “normal”. Lately, he has been saying that he is “cursed” to have all the challenges in his life. I have told him over and over that isn’t so. Today, while I was sitting in […]
Tuesday night I was at my Parent’s Support Group that I lead out in. It is for parents with mentally ill children. A new lady came that night. She had a 16 year old son with some difficulties. She had been having trouble getting a diagnosis so he can receive services. I sat with her […]
My last post I wrote about my mother’s death and how the mentally ill could deal with the death of a loved one. Below is a poem Brandi Thompson wrote concerning her death. I thought I would share with you. The greatest light I’ve ever seen; It wasn’t the biggest light, It wasn’t a light […]
My mother died this past Thursday night. She had been sick for a long time. She died while sleeping. When a loved one dies, it affects those close to the family and friends. My sisters and daughter are having problems with depression since the death. My youngest son has been unable to concentrate or accomplish […]