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Abstract

ol system regarding IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans) and in understanding their responsibilities and rights.</p><figure id="c96f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*2jUwlt-887eLsBB3OE2frQ.jpeg"><figcaption>author photo and pictured, far right, October 2009</figcaption></figure><h2 id="aa91">The second most important step</h2><p id="8ee7">For me, in my own wellness journey, journaling became a lifeline. The pain could be released on the pages and revisited when needed.</p><p id="eab8">I started my writing in 2011. And there it sat, in my documents, for almost a decade. The time hadn’t been right to release my innermost thoughts.</p><p id="28b8">Just a few years ago, all 3 of my now adult kids and I were discussing episodes of the Netflix series, “Atypical.” The main character, Sam, was considered neurotypical and living with autism. Because my daughter was diagnosed with some mental health challenges in addition to spectrum disorders, this series was ideal for a round table discussion.</p><p id="bc57">It was then, that I fully understood the power of dialogue, sharing, and openness. If you told me in the past that one day we would laugh over any of our trials, I would have thought you insane. We not only shared our takes on specific incidences, but we laughed.</p><p id="3038">We laughed.</p><p id="10a9">Together. We were free to do so.</p><p id="96af">This month, Mental Health Awareness Month, was the perfect setting and timing for me to release my series about our journey. My kids are all supportive and understand the value of possibly helping other families.</p><p id="e5bc">It is my intention, through my series, to reach as many people as I can to inspire them. I want them to ‘see’ that they are not alone.</p><p id="3aef">The story starts painfully because it was a difficult beginning. There was darkness and a lot of it. But, like all storms that pass, the sun will shine again.</p><div id="f46e" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/she-is-not-a-duck-8974675c83fb"> <div> <div> <h2>She Is Not a Duck</h2> <div><h3>A Mother’s Journey into the world of Mental Health and Spectrum Disorder Challenges</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div>

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            <h2>The Scary Face of Mental Illness: Open Your Eyes, Grab My Hand, It May Be You</h2>
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We Can Laugh at Mental Health

Our story, our terms, and our celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month

We are allowed to laugh. It’s our past and we are done crying. The fighting has quieted and the seedling is becoming a strong flower.

Mental Health Awareness Month

For many, though, it’s Mental Health Awareness Life. I am a member of this group.

And, as people hear tidbits of my journey, they will invariably lower their heads, maybe drop their shoulders, but they always utter, “I am so sorry.”

I do appreciate compassion. However, I aspire to change the flavor of the apologies I am given.

Please don’t be sorry for me.

My journey was trying, tear-filled, and, yet, filled with huge pockets of joy. Yes, many years were difficult for me to balance everyone’s needs and I was sleep-deprived. It was impossible to stifle worry. But, I have learned a few things along the way. Shame on me if I didn’t gain some insight through the 20 years of my experience.

The most important foundational step

I took control to educate myself about mental health challenges and joined a support group for people with a suffering family member. You can find a menu of options for support, appropriate for your situation, by visiting NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org

They were instrumental in my growth and understanding and I was no longer alone. I went on, following the NAMI Family to Family, 6-week course, to become certified in 2009 through NAMI NJ in their Basics course. This course was designed to offer qualified volunteers to assist parents in navigating the school system regarding IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans) and in understanding their responsibilities and rights.

author photo and pictured, far right, October 2009

The second most important step

For me, in my own wellness journey, journaling became a lifeline. The pain could be released on the pages and revisited when needed.

I started my writing in 2011. And there it sat, in my documents, for almost a decade. The time hadn’t been right to release my innermost thoughts.

Just a few years ago, all 3 of my now adult kids and I were discussing episodes of the Netflix series, “Atypical.” The main character, Sam, was considered neurotypical and living with autism. Because my daughter was diagnosed with some mental health challenges in addition to spectrum disorders, this series was ideal for a round table discussion.

It was then, that I fully understood the power of dialogue, sharing, and openness. If you told me in the past that one day we would laugh over any of our trials, I would have thought you insane. We not only shared our takes on specific incidences, but we laughed.

We laughed.

Together. We were free to do so.

This month, Mental Health Awareness Month, was the perfect setting and timing for me to release my series about our journey. My kids are all supportive and understand the value of possibly helping other families.

It is my intention, through my series, to reach as many people as I can to inspire them. I want them to ‘see’ that they are not alone.

The story starts painfully because it was a difficult beginning. There was darkness and a lot of it. But, like all storms that pass, the sun will shine again.

She Is Not a Duck

A Mother’s Journey into the world of Mental Health and Spectrum Disorder Challenges

medium.com

Feel free to read, share and promote any or all of my series, “She Is Not a Duck,” if you know of anyone that will benefit from them. Let them know we are all coming together in support, one hug at a time. We are not alone.

Ready to join Medium and read without limitations?

Join Medium with my referral link - Lisa Gerard Braun

As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…

medium.com

The Scary Face of Mental Illness: Open Your Eyes, Grab My Hand, It May Be You

Put an end to your fear of the unknown

medium.com

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