For the past year myself and others have been advocating for the housing for mentally ill adults with children. I've been told that dream will come true with funding from Mental Health. Up until now Mental Health has only provided housing for single adults only. Maybe their reasoning for this is that once a parent is stigmatized with being mentally disabled, someone figured we never would ever again be capable of taking care of our children.
I have two sons who spent years in foster care because no one believed or will ever believe that I am capable of taking care of my sons again. I'm out to prove them wrong. Even my own sister fought against the notion of me ever taking back my boys. They are now 18 and 20 years old, learning disabled and living with me in a studio apartment. I've been told that I took them back for selfish and monetary reasons since they both have SSI. But who knows better the pain of separation between mother and child?
I don't know my children anymore and they consider me someone not to be trusted or respected, having those notions reinforced by professionals and family. The stigma comes from those who don't believe the mentally ill will ever get better or be capable of doing anything more.
I'm proof otherwise. Yes, I still have issues. I'm still somewhat depressed, but I work part-time at P.A.L.S., a peer advocacy group on Staten Island. I'm somewhat active in politics, in church and in my life and I sing in the church choir. I may not be a successful CEO of a company, but I still am a success compared to what I was like a few years back and I have the potential for doing much, much more for myself, my family and others.
Despite those who stigmatize us or stare down at us in disgust, we are what we are. What the heck is normal anyway? Normal is boring. Normal doesn't make a difference. It conforms to society rather than reshapes it.
Mental illness is not necessarily a handicap. It opens doors of opportunity and hope. We can and will be a success if people truly support us, have patience and take us seriously. Life can be great for people like us, so don't give up in spite of ourselves or others!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Out to Prove Them Wrong
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Thursday, September 15, 2011
Out to Prove Them Wrong
For the past year myself and others have been advocating for the housing for mentally ill adults with children. I've been told that dream will come true with funding from Mental Health. Up until now Mental Health has only provided housing for single adults only. Maybe their reasoning for this is that once a parent is stigmatized with being mentally disabled, someone figured we never would ever again be capable of taking care of our children.
I have two sons who spent years in foster care because no one believed or will ever believe that I am capable of taking care of my sons again. I'm out to prove them wrong. Even my own sister fought against the notion of me ever taking back my boys. They are now 18 and 20 years old, learning disabled and living with me in a studio apartment. I've been told that I took them back for selfish and monetary reasons since they both have SSI. But who knows better the pain of separation between mother and child?
I don't know my children anymore and they consider me someone not to be trusted or respected, having those notions reinforced by professionals and family. The stigma comes from those who don't believe the mentally ill will ever get better or be capable of doing anything more.
I'm proof otherwise. Yes, I still have issues. I'm still somewhat depressed, but I work part-time at P.A.L.S., a peer advocacy group on Staten Island. I'm somewhat active in politics, in church and in my life and I sing in the church choir. I may not be a successful CEO of a company, but I still am a success compared to what I was like a few years back and I have the potential for doing much, much more for myself, my family and others.
Despite those who stigmatize us or stare down at us in disgust, we are what we are. What the heck is normal anyway? Normal is boring. Normal doesn't make a difference. It conforms to society rather than reshapes it.
Mental illness is not necessarily a handicap. It opens doors of opportunity and hope. We can and will be a success if people truly support us, have patience and take us seriously. Life can be great for people like us, so don't give up in spite of ourselves or others!
I have two sons who spent years in foster care because no one believed or will ever believe that I am capable of taking care of my sons again. I'm out to prove them wrong. Even my own sister fought against the notion of me ever taking back my boys. They are now 18 and 20 years old, learning disabled and living with me in a studio apartment. I've been told that I took them back for selfish and monetary reasons since they both have SSI. But who knows better the pain of separation between mother and child?
I don't know my children anymore and they consider me someone not to be trusted or respected, having those notions reinforced by professionals and family. The stigma comes from those who don't believe the mentally ill will ever get better or be capable of doing anything more.
I'm proof otherwise. Yes, I still have issues. I'm still somewhat depressed, but I work part-time at P.A.L.S., a peer advocacy group on Staten Island. I'm somewhat active in politics, in church and in my life and I sing in the church choir. I may not be a successful CEO of a company, but I still am a success compared to what I was like a few years back and I have the potential for doing much, much more for myself, my family and others.
Despite those who stigmatize us or stare down at us in disgust, we are what we are. What the heck is normal anyway? Normal is boring. Normal doesn't make a difference. It conforms to society rather than reshapes it.
Mental illness is not necessarily a handicap. It opens doors of opportunity and hope. We can and will be a success if people truly support us, have patience and take us seriously. Life can be great for people like us, so don't give up in spite of ourselves or others!
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