Sue Bergeson
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Recently, I had the privilege of being a trainer for a veterans' peer specialist training event in Madison, Wisconsin. The training was led by three folks: Ike Powell, the master trainer and developer of the peer specialist curriculum; Dona, a gifted trainer and consumer leader from the Northwes...
Judy
Friday, December 14, 2007 at 02:31 PM
Hello Sue,
There is a special place in my heart for veterans, and I enjoyed reading your article.
I'm not familiar with peer specialist training. It sounds like a magnificent "positive support system/program that does much good for veterans.
As for "wellness" vs. "illness" thinking, I try to concentrate on wellness at least a part of every day. I am reminded of Mary Ellen Copeland's WRAP program that I discovered on the internet and decided to give a go. It helped me and others as well.
Appreciate your personal quips from vets. Once while advocating, I invited a peer, Ed, to accompany me to a Receipients Rights Conference. When it came time to go to dinner, he chose Wendy's - he loved the chili and fries. Our bill came to $6.00 for the two of us. We could have gone most anywhere at conference expense, but he chose Wendy's. Best dinner I ever had.
Thanks for letting me reminesce - a good memory, a wellness memory.
Judy
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Mercurial Enigma
Friday, December 14, 2007 at 08:58 PM
I would like to share my wellness story with you.
I'm not a positive thinker as such but I do try and live my life through a paridigm of growth, effectiveness, love, hope and faith.
Anyway, in 1995 due to a bad medical decision I almost lost my life. I was taken off all epilepsy medications and subsequently experienced continuous epileptic seizures. I died and was brought back to life by a team of paramedics, I died again on the way to hospital. After 3 months in hospital I had what was expected to be permanent brain damage. I did not even know what a knife and fork were.
I was then placed in an ‘old peoples home', at the age of 35 mind you. This place quickly became a supported accommodation facility which worried me greatly. Although I didn't have a say in the matter at the time it was the only place where I could be safe and secure. Within the constraints of our financial resources which was my government permanent disability pension.
After much long term work on myself I gradually recovered from the brain damage, which according to my doctors was a miracle in itself. It's important to realise that I was struggling with all my heart and soul with the illness of bipolar disorder at the same time as everything else.
Although I was very sick I handled this situation better than most according to my Psychiatrist (mental health), Neurologist (epilepsy), and Endocrinologist (diabetes). I was also sick with the diabetes but that's a story for another time.
Over the years I involved myself in the daily care and counselling of many who passed through our facility. Eventually being made a member of staff, on a voluntary, then paid basis. This enabled me to participate in advocacy on behalf of the residents. I also participated in advocacy to our state government, including the Director-General of Health here in Brisbane, on behalf of our facility.
I now only suffer mild symptoms related more to the epilepsy itself and its association with my psychotic illness. In fact due to good nutrition, appropriate medication, and an intence physical regime provided by my specialists it appears as though there is no identifiable long term brain damage as such. Remember this has happened over a period of 12 years.
Through relentless hope, faith, and perserverence I can now be involved in society, and play an active allbeit significanly reduced role. Taking into account my type 1 bipolar illness as well. We can choose to see life in a certain manner that prevents us from moving forward. Or, we can choose to live our lives out of a paridigm of enablement, empowerment, and ennoblement. I attempt to do the latter, never perfectly, but at least sometimes effectively.
Thank you
Peter
Thank you
Peter
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Judy
Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 05:51 AM
Peter...Thank you for sharing your story, struggles, and your accomplishments with Advocacy. You will earn your star in heaven most certainly. Keep up your good work when you are well and able. Thanks once again.......Judy
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Mercurial Enigma
Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 06:03 AM
Thank you, Judy, for your kind words.
Peter
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Anonymous
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 02:31 AM
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