My Journey to Recovery by Joanne Baranoski

Transcription

1 Business Name Special Points of Interest: Issue 19, May & June 2014 Editor: Jo-Ann Paley This Newsletter is available on the MSS Website at: Just follow the link to Newsletters. My Journey to Recovery by Joanne Baranoski INSIDE Joanne Baranoski, (pictured above) shares her story of recovery. My name is Joanne Baranoski. I have two degrees and I live with schizophrenia. This is my story of recovery. From the time I was born up until grade five, I lived in the small town of Ignace, Ontario. My two best friends were Brandi-Lynn and Natasha. I have two sisters and a brother. When I was 10 years old we moved to Winnipeg. We moved to the Garden City area. I went to R.F. Morrison Elementary, Jefferson Junior High and Garden City Collegiate. I also went to the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg. I really enjoyed playing sports during this time. My high school physical education teacher had a big influence on me. I enjoyed physical education so much that I went on to the University of Manitoba and got a Physical Education Degree and then went on to get a degree in Education from the University of Winnipeg. I taught elementary school, high school science, and Physical Education. I played a lot of badminton and ran a couple of marathons in Manitoba. My illness started when I began talking to electronic My Journey cont. on page 2 My Journey.cont. page 2 MSS Group Activities......page 3 MSS H.O.P.E.S. Group....page 4 Family Support Group...page 4 Partners in Awareness...page 4 Name That Feeling Support group for children......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

2 Page 2 My Journey cont. from page 2 devices in my office and I experienced many delusions. I dealt with this initial shock by talking to my mom about my thoughts and she told me to see a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia when I was 28 and I went to the hospital for the first time. Following one of my episodes my sister looked up support groups. She found the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and told me about it. I then came to my first support group which I enjoyed. I was still substitute teaching at the time. I have really good days and some bad days in my recovery. Lately I ve had more good days than bad. I have met many wonderful people at support groups that I attend on my journey to recovery, many people whom I otherwise might never have met. The medications I take are helpful in that they block my delusions and help me to think clearly. I see a nurse therapist, a psychiatrist, and I take two different antipsychotic medications. I keep coming back to the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society because I like the people at MSS and I have learned a lot here. My creative talents include writing poetry and juggling. I also enjoy playing badminton and running. I joined a number of sports teams and clubs in my teens and twenties. I was a member of the Wildwood badminton team and competed in tournaments. I have trained as a level one coach in a variety of sports. Up until a few years ago I was substitute teaching. I am currently 37. I volunteer at Siloam Mission, spend time with family and friends and attend a variety of support groups for mental health. The friendships and family relationships are the most meaningful parts of my life. My favorite quote is: Life isn t about waiting for a storm to pass. It s about learning to dance in the rain. by Vivian Greene Following are two poems I wrote. A Love Poem Each moment apart I feel it in my heart. I feel this pain, It is making me go insane. Oh do you know how I feel? It is so true, and so real. It has not been long, Only a month, and nothing yet gone wrong. I need more of you. If it s true, you do too. Oh can you see How good it could be? There s something I need you to know. That,... I love you so. Words cannot express The way I feel about you. All the things I need to address Are going to come soon. (And) I ll see then what s true. By Joanne Baranoski 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. Emotions I am so sad, Not really mad. Look at my face. I did not win the race. Anger and in a rage, I am of age. But I might be happy one day. I would love to be joyful and play. By Joanne Baranoski Congratulations to Sangeetha Nair. (pictured above with Judy Wasylycia-leis). On April 23rd Sangeetha won a Premier s Award for Volunteering at a ceremony at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. Congratulations to Chris Summerville, Executive Director of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. Chris is receiving an Honorary Laws Degree from the University of Brandon for his work in advocacy.

3 Page 3 MANITOBA SCHIZOPHREN IA SOCIETY ACTIVITIES On St. Patrick s Day members of the MSS Women s Program (above) posed for a group picture after working on crafts. We celebrated Easter early on March 13th with a Potluck lunch. Jennifer May Licardo, pictured above, speaking to the MSS Women s group, on April 24th, Recently we ve had a number of speakers do presentations for the MSS Peer Support group and for the MSS Women s group. On March 20th Sally Massey-Wiebe, a financial counsellor, from Community Financial Services spoke to the MSS Women s Group about budgeting and information about their other services. On April 23rd Dr. Michael Eleff, a psychiatrist, from the Schizophrenia Treatment Education Program at Health Sciences Centre spoke about mental illnesses, types of treatments and learning to cope. Everyone enjoyed the presentation and they said they learned a lot. On April 24th Jennifer May Licardo, Educator Coordinator from the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba did a presentation comparing the similarities and differences between schizophrenia, Alzheimer s disease and dementia. This was a most informative talk and we gained a lot of valuable information. On April 30th, Nav Sidhu, a pharmacy intern, from Shopper s Drug Mart on Marion Street in Winnipeg, gave a most interesting talk about different medications and their side effects. Thank you to all our speakers. We appreciated each one of you and the information you provided. On May 23 rd we will be celebrating the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Awareness Day with a Hearing Voices Workshop and Panel for invited guests.

4 Page 4 for young people living with psychosis and schizophrenia If you are a person 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 First Tuesday of the Month 4:30 pm 5:30 pm FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP For families and friends of those experiencing schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychosis. Fourth Tuesday of every month Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Multipurpose Room Contact: the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society at 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! 2014 Schedule May 27 Nov 25 Jun 24 Dec 23 For more information contact or info@mss.mb.ca You Don t Have to Do It Alone! Next two meetings: Tuesday, May 27th Tuesday, June 24th 7:00 P.M. 4 Fort Street, Winnipeg Contact: Sponsored by: NAME THAT FEELING A support group for children who have a family member with any mental illness. Topics covered: Identifying and communicating feelings; Understanding all about mental illnesses; Resilience, self-care and self-esteem. For Registration Information call: Manitoba Schizophrenia Society Tel: info@mss.mb.ca

5 Page 5 Manitoba Schizophrenia Society 4 Fort Street Winnipeg, MB Phone: Peer Support Group Schedule MAY & JUNE 2014 Meeting Time: Wednesday, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (Occasionally group start time may vary according to the program of the day.) Need to talk to someone about your life with schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder? Then consider attending the Date May MSS PEER SUPPORT GROUP Activity 7 General Discussion about schizophrenia 14 Planning for the summer and discussion about mental illness 21 Movie Day 28 Bowling at Coronation Lanes Meet at FACES and we will go from here June 4 History of Mental Illness Treatments 11 Art Gallery Meet at 12:30 p.m. and leave from FACES (To be confirmed) 18 Guest Speaker: Detective Sergeant Steve Peltier, Vulnerable Persons Coordinator, Winnipeg Police Services Rights of the Consumer, Etcetera 25 Walk to The Forks Rain plan Discussion at FACES

6 Page 6 Women s Program Schedule May & June 2014 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 MAY 1 NO GROUP STAFF WILL BE AWAY AT A CONFERENCE 8 Writers Group & Planning for Out & About Activities 15 Walk in the park to The Forks Rain plan - general discussion at FACES 22 Personal Crisis Plan 29 Visit Studio Central at 444 Kennedy Street JUNE 5 Writers Group: Theme If I made three wishes what would they be? 12 Self Image & Self Esteem 19 Goal Setting 26 Pot Luck Lunch GROUP STARTS AT 12:30 PM Please confirm your attendance at Funded by: