Sue Bergeson
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I am so fond of John McManamy, and reading his recent SharePost on his experience at the DBSA National Conference brought back those five days for me. (It was a three-day conference, but five for me because of a board meeting and leadership conference.) One of the things I love, and sometim...
Margaret Gates
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Hi Sue,
I attended the conference for 4 days and also felt very - empowered is the word I would use -to hear all the stories of recovery.
I just wanted to add that I believe each person's story of recovery is the most important asset they have. It is the channel we have to reach out to others to
communicate a message of hope and a way to minimize regrets over having the illness of depression.
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John McManamy
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 08:03 PM
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Sharon
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Thanks Sue,
I have to agree John is great and was a wonderful breakout speaker.
I too met Cattie and she is an inspiration like so many others. Procovery is moving forward and that is the best any of us can hope for, despite sometimes steps back, like making it
through the selection process for the day nursing program at the local vo tech (only 41 out of 200 are selected on average) buying uniforms, books, taking pre nursing math and then showing up that morning to be escorted out as "not a good fit" was a major blow and sidelined me for awhile. But with Pearls of wisdom, leaders like you Maddy, Elizabeth and other local DBSA folks I'm now leading some support groups, holding procovery mixers, help on depression screening days, contributing to the local DBSA newsletter and the latest Advocacy bi monthly meeting. It is ok to be sidelined sometimes, but wellness tools can help make the sidelines less lonely, less dark and for shorter durations. I am thankful for the examples in the recovery stories, thankful for you and your ever greatful pearls of wisdom and for John McManamy with his ability to make us life and learn to watch our triggers and apply coping skills. thank you each for helping me take positive steps for myself and new steps in helping others. May the God you serve bless you and keep you in His care.
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Sunick
Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 03:31 AM
Dear Sue
I came over from the UK for the conference and enjoyed it immensly. Made many contacts and met John McManamy.
Recovery is about wellness. We need to be able to be well which means we need to lose the label of being ill. I am working on this. A statement by Nassir Ghaemi: "Being bipolar is more about the capability of becoming ill, rather than the constant state of illness" is a central plank of my philosophy for bipolar people for the future.
John's comment was "I love it", and I had hoped he would give some air time to it at the conference.
Perhaps you would like to consider giving it some air time withn the DBSA. It is important to get away from being constantly mentally ill - the illness is mania and depression - in between we can be well.
I have a recovery story - but more important is what I have learnt about the skills needed to live well. Perhaps you would like to learn more.
I am considering setting up affliated groups in the UK and will be in touch with Elizabeth in coming weeks when I get back to the UK in September.
Nick
See: http://bipolarperceptions.wordpress.com/
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Steve Bell
Thursday, September 06, 2007 at 12:16 AM
Sue, your comments are so right on. Hearing stories or sharing them can be uplifting and exhausting...all at the same time. And dogs (and cats) can be the best therapists. In fact, mine has her two small dogs in her office...and I suspect they are very helpful in her interactions with children and teens. As to the 'faces'...don't forget us poets. It's estimated that as many as 50 percent of the great ones suffer(d) from some form of depression.
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1whocares
Saturday, September 08, 2007 at 07:40 PM
Hello
I have a friend who is not BP but does deal with anxiety and depression and is a recovering alcoholic. I knew him from my workplace years ago and suprisingly saw him at a support group a few years back.
I recently ran into him and his circumstances at least in the material sense have remained about the same. He works for a very modest salary and has no car of his own , and no permanent residence of his own. He had been staying with a fellow church member until recently.
If you saw him however or spoke with him you would not suspect " mental illness". He dresses very well and is good socially. He is very active as well in areas related to MI and is very outspoken against the stigma of this condition. He also leads a support group. And yet he still has to deal with the illness.
It is inspiring and we need that kind of inspiration. Keeping busy and having something to focus on. For him , an observer may think , " this condition of his is all that he does ". Maybe so. But it is far better than standing still and making no efforts , because neither time nor the world at large is going to stop and wait for us to feel better.
Oh .... that applies to me too .
Thanks
MB
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