"Too blessed to be stressed" is my motto of the day. I rarely open e-mail "forwards," but a Getting Ahead class member shared one that I couldn't resist and it contained that heartening homily. It was just what I needed to hear on a very stressful day.
Indeed, I am blessed with an incredibly loving and supportive family, the cutest grandchild in the world (IMHO), a job and a home I love, and the only time I go hungry is . . . well, practically never. On a day-to-day basis, though, I don't always remember to count those blessings. Like today. In just the last few months, pain from arthritis and fibromyalgia has become a daily companion and the top joints on both forefingers popped out the way my grandmother's did. Also, although my memory was always bad, now it's worse and it affects so many aspects of my life. It's discouraging to be your own worst enemy at 59.
You know, I don't mind being 59. In fact, I might even stay there. But I remember my grandmother at 59, and it takes my breath away to realize that I'm the same age she was when she was 59. It puts "59" into a completely different context for me. Mufasa! (a Lion's King reference, for those who haven't seen it 23 times).
As that great philosopher Marie Osmond once said, "You're going to laugh about it in the future. Why not laugh about it now?" OK.
If you visit the Parent Support office at Mental Health America, don't be surprised to find computer wallpaper with one or both of those sayings on it.
I got Marie's quotation from her website. I also spent a little time trying to find out where the saying "too stressed to be blessed" originated. Suzan D. Johnson Cook wrote a book called "Too Stressed to be Blessed: about her ministry as an African American woman who became a pastor at a time when many people disapproved of women as pastors.
Having a book with that title doesn't necessarily mean she said it first, though. I stopped Googling and finally decided I was just procrastinating and needed to actually write the blog. So for now, it's by the most prolific author of all time: Anonymous.
Judith Waite Allee
P.S. If you are a low-income parent, please call me at 788-0300 to see if you qualify to earn up to $450 taking a class on financial stability and investigating poverty in Licking County.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Gotta Have Faith
Schizophrenia: a mental disorder characterized by seperation between thought and emotions by delusions, bizarre behavior, etc. (Webster's)
My experience with schizophrenia was all of the above definition, and a small dose of delusions of grandeur in the mix. Unfortunately I still do have these symptoms, but, thanks to medication and therapy, I'm functioning much better.
My recovery, if you will, has also a spiritual and religious connection. Like the demoniac of the Gerasenes, I believe Jesus Christ has held my hand in recovery all through the good and bad times. And, with His help I pray for the others less fortunate than me as well.
I know many mentally ill blame God, family, and others for their disease, but with therapy, medication and, I believe, faith in something tangible, we can find recovery possible.
Sam Irvin
My experience with schizophrenia was all of the above definition, and a small dose of delusions of grandeur in the mix. Unfortunately I still do have these symptoms, but, thanks to medication and therapy, I'm functioning much better.
My recovery, if you will, has also a spiritual and religious connection. Like the demoniac of the Gerasenes, I believe Jesus Christ has held my hand in recovery all through the good and bad times. And, with His help I pray for the others less fortunate than me as well.
I know many mentally ill blame God, family, and others for their disease, but with therapy, medication and, I believe, faith in something tangible, we can find recovery possible.
Sam Irvin
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
We want everything to be perfect
I have a philosophy that every Compeer social should be a celebration. In my job, as Compeer Coordinator, it is my responsibility to organize two regular social events each month for the members of Compeer.
Compeer is a program of MHA which matches trained volunteers with mental health recipients in one-to-one friendship relationships as well as groups of persons. To join Compeer you must be referred by your mental health professional, or apply as a volunteer. Volunteers are screened and received free training and support.
The purpose of the socials is to provide an opportunity to get out and meet people and make new friends. Good things happen when you’ve got a friend. Friends listen. They share. They give us a feeling of belonging and the encouragement to believe in ourselves.
Parties put me in mind of the scene from a Gary Larson “Far Side” cartoon in which sheep are having a social gathering. There is a living room full of sheep, quietly drinking and eating, apparently enjoying themselves. At that moment the Australian Shepherds arrive at the party.
One anxious sheep turns to another and says, “Everything is in chaos! No one knows has any direction. Thank goodness the Sheep dogs are here!”
I am that anxious sheep. I want everyone to have a good time. I know that there are Compeer members who worry about coming to the socials. And I, in turn, worry about that. So, I do everything that I can to make the socials casual and fun. Come as you are.
Why do things have to be perfect?
Our last social was a Tiki party. There was Hawaiian music and Tiki decorations. I wanted it to be perfect. It was not. The pineapple was sour. The food ran out before it was time to leave. But somehow, some people had a perfectly nice time. It was a “Ho`o Laule`a,” a celebration.
No one said, “I think that your flaming Tiki centerpiece has stopped flaming-I’m leaving!” Or “The paper umbrella in my drink clashes with my lei, you’re obviously a complete failure as a human being.”
Instead, people talked and laughed and ate all the sour pineapple (and all the other food!) There were even some “Malihinis,” newcomers, who were welcomed like “Hualoha,” dear friends.
Our Compeer members accept that I am not perfect. Compeer socials are far from perfectly planned, but the members are a small group of perfectly-friendly, inviting people.
We are currently accepting applications for community volunteers. Volunteers do not need to be perfect, but they must complete a written application and attend an interview to discuss program opportunities.
Through Compeer, volunteers can give someone the powerful gift of your friendship. It takes as little as an hour of your time each week. It’s as simple as going for a walk, seeing a movie, or just picking up the phone. Through Compeer, you can help change someone’s life for the better. And it’s as simple as being a friend!
We look forward to having you join with other Compeer volunteers who have come to understand and view their Compeer friends simply as people with problems: individuals who are having trouble in coping with everyday life situations and who benefit from the supportive friendship of a concerned and caring friend.
Compeer is “Ohana,” family, and that’s what makes it special. Any chance that a family can come together there should be a celebration. So, I try to make each get-together a little special.
I can’t promise every night will be a Tiki Party. Some socials will be closer to perfect, others will be…well not. The edible sugar sculpture rats on “Ratatouille Night” were not a big hit.
Our next social is a potluck and movie night, but it will still be a celebration of friends coming together.
In September, the women of Compeer will be going as a group to the Women’s Health Expo at the J. Gilbert Reese Center as part of our wellness program. September is also our annual Awards Dinner.
I am still going to be concerned that everyone is having a nice time. It’s hard for me to accept that I can’t make everyone happy at every social. But, I am beginning to accept that at least some of them will “Ki Pa Hou Mai,” come visit again.
Aloha `oe
Kristen Frame
Compeer Coordinator
Compeer is a program of MHA which matches trained volunteers with mental health recipients in one-to-one friendship relationships as well as groups of persons. To join Compeer you must be referred by your mental health professional, or apply as a volunteer. Volunteers are screened and received free training and support.
The purpose of the socials is to provide an opportunity to get out and meet people and make new friends. Good things happen when you’ve got a friend. Friends listen. They share. They give us a feeling of belonging and the encouragement to believe in ourselves.
Parties put me in mind of the scene from a Gary Larson “Far Side” cartoon in which sheep are having a social gathering. There is a living room full of sheep, quietly drinking and eating, apparently enjoying themselves. At that moment the Australian Shepherds arrive at the party.
One anxious sheep turns to another and says, “Everything is in chaos! No one knows has any direction. Thank goodness the Sheep dogs are here!”
I am that anxious sheep. I want everyone to have a good time. I know that there are Compeer members who worry about coming to the socials. And I, in turn, worry about that. So, I do everything that I can to make the socials casual and fun. Come as you are.
Why do things have to be perfect?
Our last social was a Tiki party. There was Hawaiian music and Tiki decorations. I wanted it to be perfect. It was not. The pineapple was sour. The food ran out before it was time to leave. But somehow, some people had a perfectly nice time. It was a “Ho`o Laule`a,” a celebration.
No one said, “I think that your flaming Tiki centerpiece has stopped flaming-I’m leaving!” Or “The paper umbrella in my drink clashes with my lei, you’re obviously a complete failure as a human being.”
Instead, people talked and laughed and ate all the sour pineapple (and all the other food!) There were even some “Malihinis,” newcomers, who were welcomed like “Hualoha,” dear friends.
Our Compeer members accept that I am not perfect. Compeer socials are far from perfectly planned, but the members are a small group of perfectly-friendly, inviting people.
We are currently accepting applications for community volunteers. Volunteers do not need to be perfect, but they must complete a written application and attend an interview to discuss program opportunities.
Through Compeer, volunteers can give someone the powerful gift of your friendship. It takes as little as an hour of your time each week. It’s as simple as going for a walk, seeing a movie, or just picking up the phone. Through Compeer, you can help change someone’s life for the better. And it’s as simple as being a friend!
We look forward to having you join with other Compeer volunteers who have come to understand and view their Compeer friends simply as people with problems: individuals who are having trouble in coping with everyday life situations and who benefit from the supportive friendship of a concerned and caring friend.
Compeer is “Ohana,” family, and that’s what makes it special. Any chance that a family can come together there should be a celebration. So, I try to make each get-together a little special.
I can’t promise every night will be a Tiki Party. Some socials will be closer to perfect, others will be…well not. The edible sugar sculpture rats on “Ratatouille Night” were not a big hit.
Our next social is a potluck and movie night, but it will still be a celebration of friends coming together.
In September, the women of Compeer will be going as a group to the Women’s Health Expo at the J. Gilbert Reese Center as part of our wellness program. September is also our annual Awards Dinner.
I am still going to be concerned that everyone is having a nice time. It’s hard for me to accept that I can’t make everyone happy at every social. But, I am beginning to accept that at least some of them will “Ki Pa Hou Mai,” come visit again.
Aloha `oe
Kristen Frame
Compeer Coordinator
Friday, August 1, 2008
Cool People, Not Old People
P.A.V.E stands for Prevent Assault and Violence Education. We go into middle schools with high school students and we talk about what violence and assault is and what we can do to stop it. We also bribe the children with candy so that they will answer questions, and pay attention. The PAVE Coordinator goes in 3 days of the week and the last 2 is when the high school students are brought in.
A lot of the information is incorporated in through skits to keep the kids' attention and also have a bigger affect. Also, college students are brought into high schools to do the same thing. We use students to teach students because the older students are looked at as the cool people and no one wants to listen to old people.
C.J. Swick
President
PAVE
Yea PAVE!!
This is Katy Mitchem, I am the PAVE Assistant I have been in this position for two years and I have loved every minute of it. When I first started with PAVE I didn’t know that there were so many types of abuse, let alone how big of a problem abuse was in our community. By working with the PAVE program it has opened my eyes to situations in my life that have affected me personally in both positive and negative ways.
PAVE is group of teenagers that lead an educational program that goes into area schools in the community to teach students about violence prevention. The topics that PAVE members discuss include physical assault, neglect, sexual harassment, bullying, teen dating violence and more! The members of PAVE also help students that may have been victimized to realize that it was not their fault.
With a lot of PAVE members working and busy and trying to enjoy their freedom from school, it is often hard to get a hold of them for events, but this summer has been lousy with participation! PAVE has been very busy this summer going to conferences and doing fun things like going to the zoo. We also have up coming events such as PCAO (Prevent Child Abuse Ohio) on August 15th, the Hartford Fair on August 4th, and the Pow Wow on August 23rd & 24th. All of which PAVE members will be participating in.
With the school year approaching it is looking like a busy year again for PAVE with five schools already scheduled. We have elected new officers and even changed our program names around to more fitting titles.
PAVE is open to any high school student in Licking County who wants to make a difference in their community. PAVE is always looking for new students to join in the fun, PAVE’s orientation is Saturday September the 13th. Feel to call Jill, Jan or Katy if you’re interested at 740-522-2277. You can also email us at prevention@mhalc.org.
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