The NFL, The PD, Mental Illness & The Connection

Despite your position, you have a position in relation to the actions of the NFL this past weekend of taking a knee during the United States National Anthem's honor to the Flag. As patrons and citizens of the United States, we have been left to speculate the actual purpose of taking a knee. From the articles I have read and the information I have gleaned, I have come to speculate and speculate only, that taking a knee is in relation to racial segregation, racial profiling and racial discrimination. USA Today quoted the Seattle Seahawks: "We will not stand for the injustice that has plagued people of color in this country. Out of love for our country and in honor of the sacrifices made on our behalf, we unite to oppose those that would deny our most basic freedoms." (Retrieved from USA Today Anthem Kneeling Isn't Aimed at Veterans and other NFL Protest Misconceptions).

Which basic freedoms are referenced here? Is it the Affirmative Action of equal opportunity of housing, education and employment? Is it protection from law enforcement racial profiling? Is it the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness? The statements are vague and ambiguous yet the protesting continues with little to no definition and little to no action in real world scenarios.

Functioning with Compound PTSD

A week ago today, I was hit with a panic attack so badly it was paralytic in nature. This debilitation did not take place until after midnight, after a day chalk full of trigger after PTSD trigger. It was a terrible day and still a week later, I am struggling to dust myself off, get up and function normally.

If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Do you ever find yourself asking "what happened? My life was not supposed to turn out this way. This is not how I expected it to happen!" Often this query runs through my mind relentlessly. And I go back in time and wonder what I would have done differently and when.  My old self is not my new self. My old self would not have understood what my new self does, clearly, because maybe now would be different if I knew then what I know now. But would a current different be better?

My Monster

Poetry Corner

This Blog Post was not authored by me, Elizabeth. This post was authored completely by KC. He posted this exact post on Facebook on February 1st, 2017. I want to preserve his emotions in my blog because I find his words profound, deep and moving. 

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First - I'm OK...  

Second - only a few of my close friends know this about me.  I'm Bipolar and this is also why my speech is slow, I shake and I get dizzy easily <picture Jack Sparrow if you will>. I have a hard time finding words and it makes me look slow and unintelligent.

Being Bipolar is scary its unpredictable at times.  My wife Elizabeth and the kids hop on the Bipolar Roller Coaster, it's difficult to get off the coaster and is not as fun as it sounds.

I wrote this poem showing what it's like.  I call the poem "My Monster".  

Boundaries, Behaviors & Decisions to Stay or Go

Boundaries

Throughout my blog posts, I have asserted that I choose to stay with DH. Over and over again I have stated that come hell or high water, we are in it for the long haul. My choice is not your choice. Your choice can be the same as mine. My choice can be different from yours.

You Are Not Alone

No matter how many times death brushes against you, the sting always stings. The breath that is taken away always gives the words you speak that breathless sound.

Safety Plans for the Mentally Ill

Sure, we all agree figuring out "what if" scenarios is a smart thing to do. Sure, those who have an individual with mental illness in their life understand that in an instant the world can turn upside down. Sure, we all recognize that planning for future events now eases the unforeseen upheavals.

Here's the thing about safety plans; they are hard to broach with the mentally ill person. Often the mentally ill person does not believe that their illness is bad enough to warrant such a measure. The truth of the matter is, we often do not know how our loved one will respond when we decide to approach them.