One down …
It wasn’t 2,000 people, but about 75 people showed up and we had a good rally. We told stories about Mike and about other people. Danny talked about his experiences with the system, and a dozen others got up and talked about theirs. Even Trey took the microphone for a second to say he misses his Uncle Mike. Then he went over to his mom and cried his eyes out.
People who didn’t know Mike came and spoke. One man spoke about the shattered mental health system; another spoke about how even people in the military aren’t assured decent care.
We had two television news cameras there and now we’re all fired up to do a rally in Asheville.
It’s time to fix this. It really is. Nothing will bring Mike back, but maybe another mother won’t have to go through what I’m going through if we keep at it.
I kept myself together through the whole thing. But I had Janet and Christian to whisper inappropriate jokes in my ear. And Shannon was there with the kids, and they always cheer me up.
Cindy McKeown came all the way from New Jersey. I could hardly believe it – but then, Cindy is one of the best people I know, so it’s not really surprising she was there to support us.
All in all, it was a great day, and we’re on our way to great things in the name o’ Mike.
Tags: Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
We did well for our first rally. Check out pictures from our rally here.