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Hi, I just received this comment about a presetation I gave to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) a few weeks ago.
Julie. . . .we attended your speech in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday night. My daughter is having a hard time right now and any little “light” that she can see is SO important, so you can imagine how important it has been for her to be exposed to your hopeful messages. the time you took to speak to us afterwords was invaluble. When we were in the car she said, “Julie wasn’t ashamed- she just stood up there. ” I can’t thank you enoug for the time that you took to speak with us afterward! We bought the Health Cards. Haven’t had time to look at it yet, but WILL. Many thanks. Rebecca.
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When I meet wonderful people at my talks, I’m always happy to see mothers and fathers with their child. There is so much fear, worry, and a desire for education in these parents. I always feel good when I can chat with them. I have been there and my mother has been there. I have also been there as a sister, so I do understand the family connection. It’s different than a connection between a partner or friend.
Often the children are a bit stunned looking as they are in a crisis or just got out of the hospital. I can tell if someone is on a high dose of anti psychotics or if they are just worn out from a bad episode. I can also usually tell if someone has attempted suicide. Nothing surprises me as this is an illness with very set behavior. We all act the same when we have bipolar disorder- because it’s an illness.
Seeing the children reminds me of myself over the years and of what my mother has been through. But I’m always positive. If I can stand there helping them after all of these years of hell and fear, then they can do the same. There were many, many years I didn’t think I would make it, but I did. Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness.
When parents get out with their children and look for help, their child’s chance of stability grows and grows. We do get better. Yes, it’s a life long illness at this time- but these guys are young and I really believe better treatment is coming in the future as we learn more about the genetics of bipolar disorder.
If you as a parent have the Health Cards and your child is still ill, do the cards yourself and then use them with your child when they are more stable. A child with bipolar disorder needs so much love and support. There is no one more important in life than my mother, so it means a lot to me to see parents when I speak!
Julie
PS: Thanks for your kind words Rebecca!
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This is an example of a newsletters from BipolarHappens.com. The newsletter sign up is on the right menu.
My husband and I heard you speak in ?Seaview, WA thsi past Tuesday. First I want to thank you for traveling to this little out of the way spot. I hope you slept well that night. Our son is 17 and was diagnosed when he was 15. He has had three institutional stays and has been on five different meds since the diagnosis (currently he is on three). But I digress…You changed my life by giving me hope. It is a hopeless diagnosis and cyberspace does not carry many positive messages. I am already a better support system for my son because of your words. We will purchase the health cards on the first. Since the diagnosis I have intuitively felt I needed to hear fromsomeone with the illness. You have a gift and your ability to share it is amazing. How can someone so scattered speak with such powerful eloquence? My son is a writer (slthough not currently able to focus and write!). His journals from when he was first entering this tunnel are powerful,powerful pictures of a young boy going mad and not knowing why no one else can see it. His ability to help others ‘see’ the inside of the dark side was profound. i felt the same waqy after hearing you. Thank you , thank you, thank you for the event and for the newletter and for your books. It is a good thing you do taking bipolar out of the dark side of its power and giving it light!! Karyn Veland