In group on Thursday, we wrote down three things we are proud of for the year 2010, and also wrote the things we would like to be proud of for 2011. My accomplishments for 2010 included:
- Going back to college,
- Getting my own apartment, and
- Maintaining a personal relationship.
I am proud of these things accomplishments because I've showed myself that I can lead an independent life in recovery from schizophrenia. Recovery to me is doing the things I used to do and also doing the things I need to do to move forward. Moreover, I accomplished these things despite my illness and even though certain people were skeptical about my goals, I did it and I am very proud of myself!
I have many goals I would like fulfill this year. I would like to become a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) among other things. A CPS is a trained mental health associate who is also in mental health recovery, and who helps peers on their path to recovery. They facilitate groups, provide resources, and act as a mentor. I am already doing work as a CPS, but I have not participated in the official training yet. I plan on doing the training this summer, that way I will be eligible for a lot of jobs in the mental health field.
Finally, if you are a person living with a mental health diagnosis and I encourage you to take ownership of your recovery if you have not already done so, and to strive to accomplish your goals despite other people's doubts; and despite living with an illness such as schizophrenia.
I feel very proud of you too, Ashley! You sound as if you really want to and are doing everything you can to recover! I can identify with you in a lot of ways except I have no motivation to go back to college- but maybe someday I will. I am trying to get a book of my poetry and illustrations published- I have already self- published three books and i am proud of that! This past June I went to a poetry reading and got up in front of a hundred people and read my poetry. i have a lot of poems that I have contributed on my shareposts here.
I am almost 55 years old and have been living with schizophrenia since i was 14 years old when i was first hospitalized. I take pride in how much better i have gotten since then. I have friends now, many interests and I have been living in my own apartment for five years now. I believe that the people who get better are the ones who work at it, not the ones who sit back and expect everyone to hand it to them on a silver platter that don't. I must say how much I love to hear peoples' stories about recovery- they give me a lot of hope! I wish you all of the best, Ashley!
- Claudia Anne Krizay
Hi Claudia,
Thank you! I am happy for you as well for pushing forward and publishing not only one collection of poems but three books! I agree with you that people who get the most out of recovery are the one's that work harder on it. I must add, not everyone's recovery is the same journey, it is different for every individual.
Take care,
Ashley Smith
You are so right, Ashley- everyone's recovery is a different journey and i must add that is true because everyone's illness is different. There are basic similarities, of course but just as every human being is unique, no one's illness is identical to someone elses.
i admire you for going back to college- good luck with your studies and happy new year!!
Claudia
Your courage to read in front of people your poetry is a great inspiration. You have come far too and should be proud. I always look forward to hearing from you.
Christina