A Recovery Story of Hope

Transcription

1 Business Name Special Points of Interest: Issue 10, January February 2013 This Newsletter is available on the MSS Website at: Just follow the link to Newsletters. A Recovery Story of Hope Nancy Picard-Gatey (pictured above) holding the misshapen pearl, is a member of the MSS Wednesday s Peer Support Group and the Thursday s Women s Group. Here is a part of her story in response to questions about her recovery journey. Can you briefly highlight your life s journey with respect to your initial dealings with mental illness and introduction to the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, and how far you have come in your recovery? I started going to the Society Of Self-help (SOS); later I learned about the MSS Christmas party when the office was on Notre Dame and McPhillips Street. That is how I first started coming here. I won lots of prizes and that upset some of my friends. I started attending the Peer Support group and later the Women s group. What hopeful information from your recovery story would you like to share with us? When I first started going to the Society of Self-help (S.O.S.) group I was afraid of people with physical disabilities. I wasn t sure how to react to people in wheel chairs. I thought I had to mother them. I was scared that they might fall. I have grown a lot since then. I now realize that many people in wheel chairs are just as capable as able bodied people in taking care of themselves. Is there anything in your life that particularly stands out in your recovery journey as being helpful? When I first started working at ArtBeat studio I found that very therapeutic and helpful. I found that my artwork really meant something then. It gave me a sense of purpose as I worked on my portfolio. Please share your experiences with the Footsteps book, put out by the Women s Group of M.S.S. What were the names of the stories that you contributed to this book? Story of Hope cont. on p.2 Editor: Jo-Ann Paley INSIDE Story of Hope by Nancy Picard- Gatey..... continued on Page 2 Peer Support Group Highlights of the Year....Page 2 MSS Activities Page 3 MSS H.O.P.E.S. Group......Page 4 Strengthening Families Together Support Group...Page 4 Name That Feeling Support Group...Page 4 Partners in Awareness..Page 4 M S S P e e r S u p p o r t G r o u p Schedule. Page 5 MSS Women s Group Schedule.Page 6 If you would like to send something in for this newsletter please your submission to: Karen@mss.mb.ca or send it to The Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, Fort Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1C4. Attention: Jo-Ann Paley, Editor

2 Page 2 Story of Hope cont. from p.2. I wrote a poem called The Dark and another story called: Night Winds of the North for the Footsteps IV book in It made me feel happy to see my words in print and published in a book. painting. I have grown more confident as a result of working there. A couple of my paintings have been sold and I never thought I would have my work in a book and now my work is in both the Footsteps book and in the Artbeat book, The Misshapen Pearl. Peer Support Group Highlights of the Year Motivational Speakers One-on-one consultations Walking to The Forks You attend both the MSS Peer Support Group and the MSS Women s Program group. What is it about MSS that keeps you coming back? The people who work at MSS are always friendly. They treat you like a person. They look beyond the illness and see the real you. I understand Art Beat Studio has been a big part of your life s recovery journey. Please tell us: a. How you got started. b. What your specific talent is, and c. How you have grown as a result of this journey. Can you tell us about your experiences with the Art Beat Alumni Group at Studio Central? I find that working on art gives me a sense of purpose and it calms me down. My family history and First Nation s culture have been an inspiration to me. I am fascinated by the works of Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo. Interview conducted by from Jo-Ann Paley, Editor of The Sharing Tree Newsletter Photo Sessions Guest Speakers Socializing with each other BBQ Informative Programs Time to relax and reminisce Take it one step at a time. A quote by Andrea Kirkham It took me two or three years to get accepted at ArtBeat Studio. I was so determined and persistent I kept applying and I finally got into the program. I like sketching people and birds in pencil and charcoal. I have experimented with mainly abstract acrylic Message from the Editor: We reserve the right to change the formatting of work received but we will not change the meaning of any work submitted. The following poem was first published in the MSS Women s Program Footsteps IV book (2009), and with permission from the author, is being reproduced here. The Dark The dark flowed all at once, all around the country side. The stars were shining in the sky. They seemed to be bending as I sat there on the porch just in awe of the world around me. I was thinking of how the world was before I was born. I look and wonder about the planets and the stars, while they shin in the sky. I think of all the events that have come and gone, before I was even here on earth. I believe everyone on this planet has a calling; this means we must listen to our inner voice. Then, you ask, How in the world are people with mental illness, with all the noise inside our heads going to listen to our inner voice? How can we pick the good thoughts in our mind that would send us on the right track; because we want to help everyone? Who would read what we write and then understand what we have to say? This would help us see the kind of people we really are. This will also help the people who read our writing with a better understanding of who we really are. They will see that we could move mountains; this would show that we are very committed to our cause; this will also let them see we are not afraid to put ourselves on the line for all to see and to let them know who we are. We are a force to be listened to and to take notice that we are very humble. We will be learning how to communicate. We try to help others understand. We will never hurt anyone; we have a good outlook on life. Of course there may be people from other walks of life. They may cause harm to others; these so called normal people versus the mentally ill. I have read or heard this too much in my life time. Written by Nancy D. Picard Gatey Irena, Claude and Joelle (pictured above) enjoy Summer photo session.

3 Page 3 MANITOBA SCHIZOPHREN IA SOCIETY 2012 YEARLY ACTIVITIES On November 22nd, 2012, the MSS Women s group celebrated Multicultural Day. We participated in a Yoga fitness exercise, sampled foods from around the world,. There were cultural displays and we learned about different customs, music and foods, through a presentation by Sangeetha Balachandra, who gave a Power Point presentation with a sing-along and music. Kathy and Ruth holding flags from the Ukraine and Canada. Ladies from the MSS Women s Program practicing a Yoga pose. Group picture of women at Multicultural day with desserts from various countries. Van and Sheila (pictured to the left and below) with foods from various countries. Sangeetha tells us a bit about Malaysia. (pictured to the right are Karen, Jo-Ann, Kathy and Sangeetha). Van points to picture of some of the fruits that grow in Malaysia. MSS Peer Support members, pictured below, participated in various activities throughout the summer and fall of 2012, including information sessions, social gatherings, Walking to The Forks and picture taking sessions. Wayne, Chris, Andy, David, Lawrence, Winner and James (pictured above) during a social gathering at FACES. Joelle, Vera and Winnie (pictured above) during a discussion session. Scenery (left & right) along the Walk to The Forks, during the summer of 2012 (photo by one of the Peer Support group members). Gary (pictured above) prior to Photo Session, Fall Claude, relaxing in the park before our photo session, August 2012.

4 Page 4 for young people living with psychosis and schizophrenia If you are a between 15 and 30 and are living with psychosis and schizophrenia, or schizo-affective disorder, H.O.P.E.S. or Hope and Opportunity through Peers, Empowerment and Support might be a place for you! 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg Every Tuesday 4:30 pm 5:30 pm Contact: Viola Healey at Strengthening Families Together NAME THAT FEELING Helping Canadians Live with Mental Illness This is an 4-session national education program for family members and friends of individuals living with and recovering from serious mental illnesses aims to increase accessibility to Canadian-based information on the topics associated with living daily with a mental illness. The Program Outline Session 1 > Introduction to Mental Illness and the Strengthening Families Program Facts about Psychosis (Causes & Treatments) Session 2 > Coping as a Family and Self Care Session 3 > Communication and Living with Psychosis Session 4 > Understanding the Mental Health system, Advocacy and Recovery with guest speaker This 4 week workshop will run each Tuesday evening at the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society Fort Street, Winnipeg 5:30pm to 7:30pm Starting: March 5th, 2013 Ending: March 26th, 2013 For further information and registration please call A support group for children who have a family member with a mental illness. Partners in Awareness A peer support group made up of interesting dynamic professionals with Schizophrenia. Are you a working professional looking for a safe inviting environment to share ideas for living a better life with Schizophrenia? Come join us! Meet new people and share your experiences. Receive support from those who understand! Venue: FACES, 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg Contact: for more information.

5 Page 5 Manitoba Schizophrenia Society 4 Fort Street Winnipeg, MB Phone: Schedule Need to talk to someone about your life with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Then consider attending the PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN AND WOMEN SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2013 Meeting Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Unless otherwise indicated) Date Activity January 9 Sharing and Planning 16 Speaker Ben Fry, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Housing Specialist 23 Discussion about Schizophrenia 30 Movie Day at FACES February 6 Tools for Recovery 13 Valentine s Day Celebration 20 Speaker, Stacey Shule, Community Educator, Canadian Mental Health Association, Winnipeg Region 27 Games Day Board games, cards, socializing.

6 Page 6 Women s Program Schedule January February 2013 Meetings are held on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at 4 Fort Street (FACES) although sometimes we go on outings. Any women living with a mental illness are welcome to attend. Occasionally we are out of the office for an activity so please call to confirm your attendance at Date Activity January 6 Writers Group A time to share your writing, get positive feedback and do some short writing exercises for fun. 10 Speaker, Adina Laksu, Dietitian, from Women s Health Clinic, Topic: Menopause and Diet Issues 17 Movie Day at FACES Group starts at 1:00 PM to allow time to see the whole show. 24 Sharing and Planning 30 Bowling at Dakota Lanes, 1085 St. Mary s Road Please pre-register with Karen at February 4 Writers Group 14 Valentine s Day Celebration Arts & Crafts 21 Games Day Board games and card games 28 Yoga Funded by: