Manic Depressive And Depressive Association of Metropolitan Detroit


	Hope from DBSA Members Here we share some of the thoughts and inspiration that has helped us live fulfilling lives with unipolar and bipolar disorder. HOPE Hope is like seeing the first rays of sunshine At the dawn of a new day, Or, it is like finding the answer When we pray. Hope is like having been lost, And now being able to find the way, Hope is confidence and inspiration, Going forward and not feeling dismay. Hope is encouragement and promise, And finding the positive things along The Way. Gil S. Past President Founding Member of DBSA A Testimonial Lyrics You don't have to stand outside in the rainin' hail. The rainin' hail of prejudice and lies The rainin hail of stigma that calls you less than human You don't have to stand for rainin' hail that got you locked outside of your own life that's meant to be. You don't have to stand in the stingin' rainin' hail of stares of people who don't know or care about your pain. Step in from the rainin' hail of questions from experts who know things from the outside but not from within, they've never been inside, locked up in the invisible prison you're living in. Let go the false friends that hide from the rainin' hail and let go those family members who cower in shame. You can find some shelter from that stingin' rainin' hail. To hear again, again to have a voice. There are those who know you, who've felt the stingin' rainin' hail and can help to ease the pain. Know you're not alone outside in that stingin' rainin' hail. You're not alone. Gary W. Past President DBSA of Metro Detroit A Group Leader's Thoughts DBSA has helped me tremendously to gain a better understanding of my Bi-Polar Disorder. I've also made some great friendships. I became a group leader in 1994 and in being a group leader am able to give the knowledge I have gained to other people. Cyndy B. Surviving Hopelessness & Despair Pain & Sorrow Know you so very well So very long Used to be you were all I did know Never thought I'd be here today Lost all that was dear to me So many people have come & gone Reached the edge of insanity Got pulled back Strong firm hands Gentle loving people Kept on my journey Until I found the path for me Led to the real me The buried me The me who has been frightened In hiding for so many years People, feelings A conscious contact A true reality I have joy I have hope Whatever life brings I accept, deal with & conquer Don't have to be alone Loving, supportive people in my life Reason to be thankful Reason for following that path Enjoying the journey Knowing the view gets better & better Come along Seek your path We'll help you find your way Terrain can get rough But know you can get through It's an adventure Well worth taking Mary Ann B. DBSA Current President An Example of Mental Illness My motto is "If someone else can do it so can I." Through positive and monitored negative examples, the struggles mental illness causes in a person's life can actually bring HOPE to his/her future. A positive example can change a mentally ill person's track of life. Not all mentally challenged people have to end up on disability and destitute. There are exceptions to all society's rules. Positive examples can lead a person to a road of HOPE, CHALLENGE and SUCCESS. I consider myself a positive example of a woman challenged with mental illness who persisted for many years to get a college degree. Each step taken on the ladder of my life has been a struggle, but I always persisted through any obstacle, including my mental illness. I don't believe in words like "no, can't, won't, never and quit" when it comes to learning. Learning always came hard for me, but I always knew I could do it. I was called a slow learner. In 1983, I graduated from high school with a 2.0 GPA and was told by my counselor that I was not college material and to get a job at McDonald's. Needless to say I didn't listen. I was bound and determined that I was going to find a university to accept me into a bachelors program. After getting turned down from six universities in the area, I was finally accepted into Wayne State University, College of Lifelong Learning, Interdisciplinary Studies Program. My life consisted of a part-time job, regulated medication and studying for school. I graduated in 1994 with a 3.2 GPA. When I think of the future, I think of myself dreaming. I always feel my dreams will come true, but my pathways are never the same way I dream. When will I get my PhD? When I'm 45, 50 or 55 - who knows? I always thought I'd get my bachelors in five years, but I got it in ten years. I am currently working on my masters degree. After I get my masters, I want to become a lobbyist. I feel I can be a role model to those diagnosed with mental illness. The fact that I am bipolar will emphasize my motto - "If someone else can do it so can I." I feel as each year goes by and I remain in remission I grow stronger. My last episode was May 1994. Katherine B. Facilitator DBSA Women Only Group Unseen Crippler My name is Stigma and I live in most people's minds Intelligent people, prejudiced and uninformed people and all those kinds The righteous fight against me for they want to point out my flaws The flaws that could expose Me are logical facts and are a different cause For I was created out of fear, ignorance and hate My victims are told they are not worthy of equal attention, and most people berate People easily sway My way, easy to conform With ancient ideas of many generations that confirm Their hurtful and unfounded opinions and fears This is how I survive and thrive through all these many years I ruin people's lives and hold good people in one place Keep them down, push them back, and always throw it in their face That they will never measure up, never quite be accepted I am very powerful and ruthless and no one is protected Sue S.F. DBSA Facilitator and Board Member Home \| Support Groups \| Hope \| Education

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