Fighting for Answers | Author Archives | Page 19David's Father, Author at Fighting for Answers

Erasing The Stigma That Comes With Mental Illness

While it may seem easy for me to say something like “we should not stigmatize the mentally ill for the mental illnesses that they have”, because in reality, the mentally ill have no more control over their illness than someone with a neuropathy, or cancer. David, for example, didn’t ask to have mental illnesses. He didn’t ask to be born addicted to drugs. He was born this way. Now, it should be clear, it is important to note that we should not make excuses for behaviors. Though behaviors are often a manifestation of the underlying condition, the behaviors can not be excused. Accountability can be held for those who are mentally ill and the behaviors that they exhibit. To move forward in care, we need to embrace the diagnosis. We need to ensure that we are not scapegoating these people. They should not be hidden away from society. We need

On Public Speaking

Heart pounding. Hands are shaking. Sweat rolling down my back. I can do this. It is not like the topic is foreign to me. I am preparing to speak for approximately 20 minutes to a Human Services Committee in our State Capitol. The lady next to me, someone I know, has offered to help me hand out speaking notes to the legislators. I have prepared myself as much as I can, my display is hidden and ready. I walk to the podium. Seems surreal. As I grasp the sides of the lectern to prevent an obvious display of my nerves, I began to speak. Rather than opening with my notes, I open with a heartfelt thank you. A thank you to the Family Voices organization in my state, a thank you to our Care Coordinator, a thank you to the facility, so many people and agencies to acknowledge. I hope

Communication – yes, it is important.

I make no secret. I love to communicate with people. When it comes to David, I like to receive as much as I can via email, as it lets me have a documented record of what facilities and I see to each other. However. If my son has done something that necessitates intervention by the on-call nurse, I don’t care if you have to drill a hole to the center of the earth. I want you to call me and tell me about it. Seriously. Something like that is not what a parent should be hearing about via email. The facility is taking corrective measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Yes, I was upset. But he is okay. And frankly his safety and well-being is all that matters. Communicate people. I would rather have you tell me that you have no idea what to do next, than be kept