Those are not bad lessons, and you can learn them from the same people once kept locked away in that dank little room. We have so much to teach you.
That’s what I mean, you see. Don’t leave us in the dark: amazing things can happen when the doors open and the walls come down.
Pam I agree with Chris about your public speaking. You could help us all because you could help to fight out stigma.
while we have never met I did read your book and found it quite interesting and so very true.
i would like to end my reply by thanking you for all that you do for all of us who are living with this illness!
I always love reading your writings. You have such a clever turn of words and are deft at unmasking the truths about schizophrenia and stigma. I have not been sick as long as you, only about 14 yrs for me. But most of those years, as you describe about yourself, were simply taken away from me. I felt like a moron because I couldn't read, watch TV or movies, or go into a room where there were people. But guess what I am doing this weekend -- preparing Mother's Day lunch for my whole family. I have not invited folks over for a meal I fixed in over a decade. And I start today making teddy bears and pillows for a hospice center. It feels good. And this dramatic turnaround after less than 3 wks on the Geodon. Finally a med I think I can stay on. It was a real battle with Zyprexa.
Carolyn
Ms.Wagner, that was an awesome speech. I stand in awe. This last year I've been in transition. I volunteer at the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier here in Broome county, NY as a speaker. I can relate to not being good in crowds or able to approach strangers, but when I get up in front of a room full of people to talk, the words flow like a river. The fear goes away. I know that by you standing there and speaking about things that really are important, you are doing a great service. Not only to others with illnesses but to yourself.
I remember a time they had me tied to a bed so long that I wet myself. They yelled at me because I did that, but who was to blame?
I've never read any of your books, but would very much like to. Can anyone give me the names of those books? I would so appreciate it.
"A journey of one thousand miles begins with a sigle step."
Best wishes Ms.Wagner
Hello Dave,
Pamela's book is Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and Their Journey Through Schizophrenia, co-written with Carolyn Spiro, M.D. her sister who is a psychiatrist.
Pam's poetry book, We Mad Climb Shaky Ladders, will be published early in 2009.
P.S. - You'd be a natural for the "monsters of rock" schizophrenia lecture tour.
Best,
Chris
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Hello Pam,
That was a great speech.
You should consider doing public speaking without Lynnie, if that's possible.
Look forward to more of your posts.
Chris
I would do speaking without Lynnie but alas, I do not drive, cannot drive very far and I don't know how I would get anywhere. I suppose Karen or Josephine could drive me...I dunno. Who would want me, alone? But maybe, maybe. Do you know how I could get started?
Pam
Hello Pam,
You could take car service to and from the airport.
You could use a cell phone to keep in contact with Dr. O.
You would schedule your lectures at the beginning of the year and pick and choose where you'd go
Perhaps a trio or quartet of those of us who have schizophrenia could go on a lecture tour together, like the "Monsters of Rock" concert tour. We could the three or four of us do a presentation. The option is to create a workshop or session for the 2009 NAMI convention in San Francisco, in which we talked about our recoveries.
Like a rock-n-roll tour.
Cheers,
Chris
Not a bad idea at all...a group tour! That would much allay my fears of traveling alone, I must say. Maybe we could do a book tour together, you with your memoir and me with my poetry book! :)
Anyhow, I would consider a speaking tour, but where and how does one set up "gigs"? and do you get paid? We usually did, though Lynnie was the only one who did...We also were always "treated" to room and meals free, which was the only way I could travel, having absolutely no income to speak of that I could spend...
That was maybe not during the booktour, I dunno, but certainly after the initial "blitz" when we were asked simply to speak.
Pam