Howdy,

 

I know it's late, but I've had a couple things on my mind over the past couple of months.  I don't want to go into many details on it all, but as some of you may or may not know, I'm don't have a paying job at this time.  I was hired as store management for a small company here in Lubbock, but I was let go less than six weeks later for no reason (although it just so happened to be right after I "witnessed" to one of my superiors about my mental illness after him sharing about his "crazy ex-wife.")

 

Despite that, the summer started out okay, but it's just gotten a little bit worse by the day.  I mean, I'm decent, but the morale around me sucks.  People are relapsing and going into the hospital, suicides and anniversaries of such are plaguing several people I know and I've had about three people in my affiliate come to me in the past week and basically say, "I'm not sure if I want to do ________ anymore.  I just don't feel like I'm making a difference."

 

I've been so struck down by these things and in shock by these comments and attitudes I haven't even known what to say.....until now.

 

To the Family to Family couple who never has taught a class and gotten trained, but you've been to most meetings since that group began - we DO need you.

 

To the JOH teacher that started JOH when there wasn't even an affiliate in her hometown.  And because of your dedication there is an affiliate and three other teacher's carrying on in the mission of JOH - we DO need you.

 

To that group of two or three consumers who started dozens of supports groups only to have them fold months later due to lack of participation - we DO need you.

 

To the dozens of volunteers around the state that know more names of employees at their local community centers than of relatives at their own family reunions - we DO need you.

 

We need all of you old timers.  Even if you don't do much.  Your presence really does make a difference!  ESPECIALLY CONSUMERS!!!!! 

 

It's people like you that truly are the backbone of our local affiliates.  We all need newcomers, but we can't just operate on them.  We need to show them the "success stories" or "finished products" if you will.

 

What frustrates me about consumers is that they come in, they get better, and they're on their way.  That's great and I'm glad they're able to do that.  I just wish I had more that would be willing to stay around and grow more and show others what it's all about.

 

As I close up this e.mail, I want to share a quote that I stole (and re-wrote the parts in parenthesis) from the Rev. Bob Lew.  He wrote the following in his passage for the book Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul.  As I've been talking about old-timers in NAMI and why we MUST stay around and press on, Rev. Lew puts it so eloquently:

 

 

There is a bond that develops among [people recovering from mental illness] that cannot be described and I am eternally grateful for all the people who continue to help me live a happy and productive life.  I am never alone and no problem is too big or too small for the loving heart and steady hand of [NAMI].”

 

How powerful and hopefully as inspiring to you all as it has been to me.

 

Take care and see you all soon.

 

Andy Gibson
Consumer Network Director
NAMI Lubbock
(806) 783-9268
(806) 773-7368
http://namilubbock.nami.org