A Series of Poems on Recovery

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1 Business Name Special Points of Interest: Issue 15, September & October 2013 This Newsletter is available on the MSS Website at: Just follow the link to Newsletters. A Series of Poems on Recovery Carolyn Gibson, pictured above, lives in Winnipeg. Following are some of her poetry and a bit of her recovery story. My Heart Diagnosis! Although, I was recently diagnosed with a slightly enlarged heart, I still feel positive about my life! My father, who passed away four years ago, had an enlarged heart in his later years! He walked every day, skied in the winter, and swam in the summer! He lived with his heart ailment until he was 82 years old! I am going to devote my life to my poetry and when I get my inheritance I will donate money to different charities! My Father donated thousands of dollars to charity when he was still alive, and on his grave his headstone is engraved Heart of Gold! My parents wedding photo is also in colour on their headstone! What a nice way to remember him! It was because of my dad that I passed the IQ test to get into Herzing Career College because he helped me study for mathematics questions the night before the test. I didn t know what was going to be on the test ahead of time but my Dad had completed Grade 12 mathematics in high school. Also, I got the job at CFB Winnipeg as a Civil Servant because of connections I have my Dad was an Airforce photographer and also a Sargeant for 26 years and he always had a good record in the Canadian Forces! As soon as I applied for the job, the Civil Service wanted me to start the job right immediately! I worked at CFB Winnipeg for 17 years until I was laid off! I have a lot of good memories of life at the Base. We went bowling, curling and enjoyed work parties on a Friday afternoon! I will continue looking after my brother, who is partially paralyzed after a stroke that he suf- Recovery Poems cont. on p. 2 Editor: Jo-Ann Paley INSIDE Poems on Recovery cont..page 2 MSS Group Activities......Page 3 MSS H.O.P.E.S. Group...Page 4 Family Support Group...Page 4 S t r e n g t h e n i n g F a m i l i e s Together....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. 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.

2 Page 2 Recovery Poems cont. from p.1 fered three years ago! I am going to try to lose weight to please myself and my medical doctor. My life has been good and I continue to enjoy life! By Carolyn GIbson The Song Carry On! The song called Carry On! Is an incredible ballad Sung by an enthusiastic young performer! Everyone has been there And everyone can join in! No matter if you re sinking like a stone! You can carry on and You can feel good about yourself! People who have lived a life of poverty, The mentally ill, drug and alcohol abusers, Ex jail cons or people who have been just fired from a job will find themselves singing, dancing and even partying to this song! Don t you want to sing along? There are people out there Who have no future And they just live for the moment! This incredible song helps us to understand the suffering of life and why people may want to end their life! This song is the most far reaching that I have ever heard! By Carolyn Gibson Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the Heart can hold. By Zeilda Fitzgerald The Upside of Mental Illness! Having mental illness is like attending your own funeral! Just when things are going good for you the popular opinion of you is that you re not doing well! It s like an intruder came and took your life away! If you phone in sick people from work immediately wonder If you have a good reason and do you have proof to back it up? How can you cheer yourself up if no one in the crowd believes in you? And nothing will change for the better unless you belong to a positive group! There you get a chance to showcase your talents and evolve into a happier person! This social metamorphosis will have instant results and you will feel amazing! By Carolyn Gibson It s Nice To Know Ya! It s nice to know ya! Whether we give each other a wave, a smile or a peace sign having friends is peace of mind! It s nice to know ya It s nice to talk And keep up with things Bla! Bla! Bla! Everybody hurts! And friends can smooth things over Our friends will give us tips On how to improve our lives And where to get the hot buys! Our friends have the gift of gab, Including great places to workout, And keep off the flab! Friends are cool They keep us out of the blue! Friends keep us socially interactive, It s Participaction! Friends keep us from freaking out, And if it s not a good day to be me I give a friend a shout! Whether you re a relative of a friend It s nice to know ya! Bla! Bla! Bla! By Carolyn Gibson Look at me Look at me. See me. Don t look away. Hear me Listen. Don t ignore my words. Acknowledge me. I am here I am not going away. I m not asking you to solve my problems. I m not asking for your money. I m not asking you to share my pain. I am asking that you see me and hear me like you do for others. I am asking that you don t pretend I m not there. I m asking you to accept my differences like I accept yours. Each one of us wants to be appreciated like one of the many flowers in the garden and given an opportunity to blossom and belong. The poem above was written by one of the ladies in the Writer s Group. No author s name was on the page.

3 Page 3 MANITOBA SCHIZOPHREN IA SOCIETY ACTIVITIES Members of the Peer Support Group and the MSS Women s Program (pictured below) enjoyed the summer activities with barbeques in Bonny Castle Park, a potluck picnic at Assiniboine Park and a visit to the Winnipeg Art Gallery to see the 100 Masters exhibit. Quotes from members of MSS Women s Group I had a great Bar-B-Q with the group. I had fun. Hazel Whitford Nice to get together with Karen at the group. Elizabeth Britney Vagi I enjoyed the Bar-B-Q with the Group. I liked the pictures of the Art Gallery. I also enjoyed the Potluck. Marlene Wiebe I enjoyed the art exhibit at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. It was a learning experience. Andrea Kirkham My opinion of the Art Gallery s 100 Masters: I think it was big and beautiful but too much for one, for one sitting. Ruth McLean My friend, Kathy and I thought it was a wonderful experience. Margaret Schroeder It was really fun and interesting. I liked the picture of the Vase with Zinnias and Geraniums painted by Vincent van Gogh. I loved the picture Glimmering Tapers round the Day s Dead Sanctities by William Kurelek. by Cheryl Bigus

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 Contact: Viola Healey at 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 Schedule September 24, October 22, November 26, December 17, 2013 For more information contact or info@mss.mb.ca 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! Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 1, Fort Street, Winnipeg Contact: Strengthening Families Together Helping Canadians Live with Mental Illness This 4-session national education program for family members and friends of individuals living with and recovering from serious mental illness aims to increase accessibility to Canadianbased 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: November 5th, 2013 Ending: November 26th, 2013 For further information and registration please call

5 Page 5 Manitoba Schizophrenia Society 4 Fort Street Winnipeg, MB Phone: Peer Support Group Schedule 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 MSS PEER SUPPORT GROUP September and October 2013 Schedule Date Activity September 4 Discussion about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder 11 NO GROUP STAFF WILL BE ATTENDING A CONFERENCE 18 No Kidding Me Too - a Movie about living with mental illness 25 Tour of Human Rights Museum Outside tour October 2 Dealing with Paranoia Symptoms of Schizophrenia (Anxiety, OCD, Perfectionism) 9 Physical exercise in dealing with mental illness & Planning 16 Discussion session Dealing with Sleep Problems 23 Writing and Storytelling about Mental Health 30 Halloween Party

6 Page 6 Women s Program Schedule September/October 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 September 5 Writers Group Topic Humour and Planning session 12 Games Day at FACES 19 Nature Walk Rain Plan Walk in the Mall at FACES 26 Discussion Session: Women and Mental Illness October 3 Writers Group 10 Potluck Lunch for Thanksgiving PLEASE NOTE: GROUP STARTS AT 12:30 P.M. FOR POT LUCK LUNCH (Please call Karen at to confirm your attendance and what you are bringing. If you are bringing something please bring only enough for yourself and one other person.) 17 Arts & Crafts knitting 24 Bowling at Dakota Lanes, 1085 Dakota Street 31 Halloween Party at FACES Funded by: