2012-02-23T11:12:10Z http://blog.capturingcourage.org/comments/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-02-13:15925991 Bev Johnston 2012-02-13T19:12:49Z 2012-02-13T19:12:49Z Love this! You write so well Cyndy! Africa is an amazing continent! The people seem to impact everyone I've known who has travelled there, no matter the country. I wonder what they would say about our continent. tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-02-05:15859767 Cyndy http://www.capturingcourage.org 2012-02-05T17:40:26Z 2012-02-05T17:40:26Z Hi Shelley, it is nice to meet you! Thanks so much for sharing a touch of your own story. A hard journey to be sure, while at the same time I hear God's touch through you, and I understand hope becoming our own as we walk alongside others. I am so glad you added your voice to this post, thank-you. Blessings your way today, Cyndy tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-02-03:15833408 Shelley Johnson 2012-02-03T14:34:13Z 2012-02-03T14:34:13Z Hi Cindy,<br />Jody Ross sent me your current blog on "Mental Illness". I appreciate your honesty in the blog. My personal story is one that is confusing at times. I have mental illness, or I am a victim of mental illness. I have said many times that those who are "alcoholic's in recovery or drugs is much more acceptable. I am a consumer (as they want to put it) but it does not define who I am. Although I must admit that is hard at times. I have served the Lord since a very little girl. When I first was hospitalized was 13 yrs ago. During that time I hard lost my children my X husband which and still is in a powerful church position. My children have no respect for me etc. I am the same Shelley, just needing some medication.<br />Through all this I went to college and I am a Community health worker and also have private clients that are given to me through Surrey Mental Health.<br /><br />I know that many lives have been touch along the way by the Jesus in me. and I am so thankful for that because it gave me hope. The hardest thing is loss of family.<br />Blessings!<br />Shelley tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-02-01:15746941 Cyndy http://www.capturingcourage.org 2012-02-01T17:44:18Z 2012-02-01T17:44:18Z I LOVE hearing this Jeannine!! I am sure that almost everyone has a dream tucked away in the back of their minds, and yet how often do we discount them and think them nothing. Part of the privilege of being adults is we get to reconnect with those child passions which actually, are a lot more accurate than we give them credit! Bless you and bless you, see you later!! tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-02-01:15744323 Cyndy http://www.capturingcourage.org 2012-02-01T16:41:33Z 2012-02-01T16:41:33Z You are so welcome Sandra. You are so right, the health care system to treat mental illness depends on the person coming forward and wanting help, and this rarely happens without a lot of push from family and friends. And even then... I can't help but think that part of the difficulty is that we simply are not speaking about it. There is so much perceived need for silence, I've come under that as well. So if nothing else, I am glad to have spoken a bit of my own story. There is nothing nice or easy about these realities. tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-01-31:15713555 Sandra 2012-02-01T04:47:56Z 2012-02-01T04:47:56Z Cyndy,<br />Thank you for being a continuous blessing to me;though we live far apart now;I still feel that you are near to my heart.<br />Sadly,there isn't much help out there for mentally ill.Many fall in the cracks that the crumbling healthcare system is full of.Help is not readily available nor accessible. tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-01-31:15693783 Cyndy http://www.capturingcourage.org 2012-01-31T17:00:23Z 2012-01-31T17:00:23Z Thank-you Jody. I haven't written of this before, but it simply seemed time and the last thing I want to do is be part of the silence around mental illness. It simply does so much damage... home and family is supposed to be safe, and with mental illness it simply is not. Thank-you your own wisdom and insights and journey alongside mental illness, bless ya tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-01-31:15693624 Cyndy http://www.capturingcourage.org 2012-01-31T16:56:12Z 2012-01-31T16:56:12Z Thank-you Joanne tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-01-30:15685469 Jody 2012-01-31T06:43:50Z 2012-01-31T06:43:50Z Thank you Cyndy for sharing and I am so sorry for your losses! I completely agree with you on the affects of mental illness to those around them, it's devastating and yes it does just go on and on and on! The pain and loss of life, meaning the ability to live a normal, happy life, chaos free with someone suffering with a mental illness... is always a constant pain, sometimes slight and other times enormous! I can't help but think that the health care system fails these people, any other disease would be treated in the best form applicable to the ailment. Well with mental illness generally the person is not compliant, doesn't believe they have a problem, so treatment fails or doesn't happen. Who suffers? We all do!!! tag:blog.capturingcourage.org,2012-01-30:15683382 Joanne 2012-01-31T04:35:12Z 2012-01-31T04:35:12Z Thank You for speaking your truth.