The Stigma Still Lingers

Miss Rosalynn has a book out about mental health. It's title is, Within Our Reach; Ending the Mental Health Crisis. In her life, this subject has touched her. I think every family, has been touched. From alcoholism, drug addiction, OCD, ADD, Autism, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bi-polar depressive disease, anger management problems, the list is never ending. Yet, they all carry a stigma. We still are not comfortable talking about mental illness, at any level. Mrs. Carter has tried to keep the issues on the front page. My question is, "Who is reading the front page lately?"
Me for one!!! This headline caught my eye. Salutatorian with Autism Rocks Graduation Speech!!!!
This family, The Duquette's were told to put their son in an institution, he was autistic. At his high school graduation he said, " Today I stand before you accepted into every institution of higher learning that I applied to, so I guess, in a way, the experts were right about the institution thing!" This young boy did not utter a word before five. No eye contact with people, still in diapers. Eric's mom, took on the challenge of being her son's voice, teacher, doctor and best friend. He learned sign language first and then the spoken language. He also was fluent in Spanish. He had such high anxiety about being around people, he had to have classes in the library, during off hours. He was smart, and people have a hard time looking past the disease.
I have lived this mom's struggle. My Ward and I, worked for twenty four years, to help him succeed, and try to fit in. He graduated college, without ever missing a day. He could not be around most people, his anxieties were so powerful. Very few teachers, ministers, neighbors, family members, reached out. They were probably scared of mental illness. To be honest, I was not very accepting of anyone reaching out. I was scared also, not knowing what to do myself.
We did good, learning each day. It was at times, torture for all of the family. He was always a good and perfect gift to us, and he is gone.
So reading these two headlines this week, brought back memories, and also hope. Hope that mental illness can be talked about and approached with kindness.
There are no limitations, when we are not silent.