If you are bipolar, or suffer depression, or have been given a weird diagnosis that you don't understand - please add me. If your child has been given a label of ADHD, or told they are ODD, or maybe borderline personality disorder... add me. If you feel there is something wrong with you, or someone you love, but don't know what it is... please add me. If you've been given drugs to "make you better" but they don't seem to work, or... make things worse - please add me!!! If you're someone who understands anything about the stigma associated with bipolar and mental illness. ADD ME! And... if after reading this page, you support my cause, please comment me, and share my page with everyone you know!
I do want to make it really clear, that I am not a therapist, nor a counselor. I am simply a "mom with a mission".
ATTENTION MID MICHIGAN ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE! ARTRAGEOUS MINDS NOW HAS A TENT AT THE FLINT FARMERS MARKET AND IS OPENING SPACE TO YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY YOUR ART OR CRAFT FOR SALE? PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH MY BLOG FOR DETAILS.
http://cathy-weaver.blogspot.com
Research Is Needed!
Artrageous Minds is a non-profit organization, founded in April of 2007, raising bipolar awareness through the arts. Currently we have non-profit status in the State of Michigan, and our federal 501(c) 3 is pending. Mental illness tears families apart, and there is very little REAL support for the family members who live with an afflicted individual. Our family camp is the vision of our future. A vacation destination, in an undertanding and nurturing environment; the camp will utilize art and nature to put a little glue back in the relationships torn by mental illness.
Artrageous Minds online gallery will be offering art, music and literary works created by people afflicted with mental illness, and those who support mental health.
Our web address is www.artrageousminds.net and although the site is not finished yet.. I assure you I am working on it! We're not going to lie to you. It takes support to get something like this going. No donation is too small. Donations can be monetary or a gift of your own artwork. We will also consider accepting art on consignment. We have tshirts and products for sale through cafepress - please take a look and see what we have to offer. I am also able to make a custom design for you, if you're looking for something special. There is also a marketplace to do all of your online shopping... even EBAY is a registered member. Please click on the links on our page, and help any way you can. We have just sold our first piece of donated art through ebay!! Support is also needed by existing 501(c)3 organizations, in the way of sponsoring Artrageous Minds in fundraising opportunities, until our federal status is approved. Email us at [email protected] for information about direct donations, consignment opportunities, or to align your organization with ours.
Andy's story... (why this all began)
My son is bipolar. At the tender age of four, he was diagnosed with depression and medicated with Prozac. As the years went by - he was given many other labels...ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, etc. As each label came, so did another drug. When the drugs didn't work.. they added more. My son has seen the inside of a psychiatric hospital as well as the inside of jail cells. He has gone thru 12 years of therapy and counseling. One year ago, we changed doctors (again). Finally, he was diagnosed properly as being bipolar. The doctor told us, that he is NOT suffering depression, is not ADHD, nor does he have any of the other disorders previously diagnosed. The biggest thing he said to me... was that in addition.. he should NOT have been medicated for all of those disorders. Each one of those medications were counteracting his true disability, and in fact making him worse. He told me - that if my son were to stay on the current medications, he would remain a non-functioning psychiatric patient for life!
It took nearly a year to wean him off the high amounts of medications he was on. He endured withdrawals as each medication was adjusted. Now at age 17, and being on what appears to be the correct medication, my son's personality is emerging. He still has "episodes", but they are far less severe, and much more widely spread. Andy and I have hope, and with our faith in God, believe that he will succeed in life. Unfortunately, my son has very little memory of his childhood. The drugs took that away from him. My son's story is only one of many. I'd like to hear yours as well.
So what's the big deal, you ask? Can't you just "snap" out of it?
NO you can't snap out of it! Many individuals do not truly know what bipolar is. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain - a medical condition - a disease that is INCURABLE. Until only a few years ago, the National Institute of Mental Health did not recognize that children can be afflicted with what is now known as Early Onset Childhood Bipolar Disorder. It was their belief that it did not manifest itself until adult years. The big deal is this.. It is very apparent that there is a need for awareness, and a need for further research into cause and diagnosis, and most importantly in prescribing the correct medication.
It is my hope that new research will be done, and someday a cure will be found. My son is one that has survived so far. Statistics show that 30% end their lives in suicide. Imagine how many other individuals are undiagnosed and misdiagnosed - that do not make the statistics, and lose their lives. The numbers are staggering for those who attempt it.
A child should not suffer. Please help me help save the life of another. It is our hope that Artrageous Minds will raise awareness, stop stigma and provide much needed family support. Owning a piece of art from our gallery will not only be an investment, it very well could save the life of a child. When our federal status comes through, we intend to have our first music and art festival.. and then hope to have a gallery and studio space where one can go to explore the arts. I just want the kids to enjoy their youth... I want them to live.
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