Mental Illness doesn’t mean you are crazy – BandBackTogether BlogAThon

Originally posted at CraftersCornerCafe

As many of you already know, the reason I created this blog was to journal my crafting experiences as well as to meet other lovers of the arts.   What you may not know is that I started creating things such as quilts, crocheted items and various crafts because I am disabled.   Some of my disability comes from past accidents that caused back issues.   But I also have mental issues.   I have Cyclothimic Disorder, which is a form of Bi-Polar.     I’ve also been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

What does all that mean?   In lay language it means my life is a freaken Roller Coaster.   My ex-husband described it best when he said “I never know if I am coming home to a Rose or the Thorns”   I hate this life.   I wish there was a cure but there isn’t.   And like many other illnesses I doubt there ever will be.   Not to be negative but why would the big pharmaceutical companies want a cure when treatment is what keeps them making a profit.   But whatever the reason there is no cure…

But there are things we can do.   And that is why I am bringing all this up.

We may not be able to find a cure but we can open peoples eyes to the reality that mental illness affects all of us.   Right now all across America. Mental Illness is getting a bad review.   People are blaming Mental Illness for many things.   And I for one am being really put off by it.   I want   to SCREAM.   Just because I have a mental illness does not mean I am going out on a shooting spree.  Not all people with mental illnesses are “crazy”.   We are just living with an illness just like a person living with diabetes, or cancer or any other illness.   To say we are all one way or another is Stereotyping.   And I find it discriminatory.

I am not saying this to excuse any ones actions, but as far as I am concerned ANYONE THAT GOES ON A SHOOTING SPREE IS CRAZY whether they have mental illness   or not.   Mental Illness doesn’t make you crazy.   It is just an Illness.

Now you may be wondering why I am talking about this today on my site.

This is why;

We have had over 2600 clicks on this blog, so I know people are seeing it.   I also share this with my Google + circles and on FB so it is a great area to get the ball started.   But it is my hope and prayer that you will pass it on to your friends too.   Because we need to get the word out about mental illness.   And now that my online sites are beginning to grow, it is my desire to start selling my crafts and to set up a donation spot so that we can raise money for the awareness of mental illnesses.   My profits from my crafts will go to Mental Illness Awareness.   So I would like to get things started.   And I felt this was the most logical place to start.   So as you are reading this if you have any ideas, comments, or know of anyone that can help with this dream   Please let me know and by all means please help me get the word out.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of my online friends.