PATHways Newsletter.pub - NAMI

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August/September 2010 NAMI Queens/Nassau PATHways Page 6 Thanks to Our NAMI Walk Sponsors…. Major Sponsor Gold Sponsor Kick-Off Luncheon NS-LIJ Health System, The Zucker Hillside Hospital Bristol Myers Squibb Ann Allen Cetrino Family Fund Arnold & Pearl Gould Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Services Eli Lilly FEGS Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE) Grant Thornton Great Neck Rotary Age LOCK Astoria Savings Hofstra University Rehab Counseling Program Neil & Louise Slater Anton Press Friendly’s Silver Sponsor Michael & Helen Schaffer Foundation Start/Finish Line Sponsor The Holliswood Hospital Jamaica Medical Center Kassoff, Robert & Lerner Larry & Mary Kenny in honor of Christopher Lorraine & Eli Kaplan in memory of Joel Melrose Credit Union Mental Health Association of Rotary of Manhasset Venture House All for His Glory Beth Nuskin Kenny Moscowitz Bronze Sponsor Supporter Kilometer Sponsor The Susin Family Nassau County Nassau Radiologic Group North Shore-LIJ Plainview Hospital NS-LIJ Syosset Hospital Options for Community Living Queens Hospital Center SAIL/South Shore Assn. for Independent Living, Inc. Queens County Psychiatric Society The Rubin Family Apple Bank Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce Elmhurst Hospital Wolkow Braker Roofer Suffolk Clubhouse Susan Watson Ted & Marie Vecchio Kiwanis Club of Merrick The Magazanick Family The Reilly Family Vigilant Volunteer Fireman’s Benevolent Assn. GN Neal & Carole Stuber Randazzo, LLC The Staheli Family in memory of Christopher
August/September 2010 NAMI Queens/Nassau PATHways Page 7 By JOHN L. KENNY, 2nd Vice President I began writing this article in my mind while I was holding the north side of the Start/Finish banner. On the south side was my good friend and NAMI advocate Bob Woods. We held the poles of the banner firmly as the banner resisted the strong wind that developed. The crowd of walkers began gathering behind the blue and gold ribbons. The crowd of walkers increased, and among them were a group of happy, smiling teenagers who were laughing and joking and having a good time. At 12:05 pm we cut the ribbons and NAMIWalk 2010 began. The walkers began moving down the boardwalk and the air was filled with the sound of their enthusiasm. The crowd was a composite of people of various ages, races and genders. Some of them pushed carriages and strollers while others walked with canes, and the positive spirit of hope resounded. As they passed under the banner I looked at their faces, each face was different, and behind each face was a different life story. My mind focused back on the laughing, happy teenagers. Why did they come to the Walk? What did they know about mental illness? Perhaps they came because they know someone who has mental illness, or maybe NAMI’s Breaking the Silence program was presented to them in school. What is important is that they attended the Walk and their demeanor was positive and outreaching. So many of our loved ones who have psychiatric illness have never experienced the happy, joyful feelings that these teenagers displayed. NAMI is all about saving and improving the lives of those who we advocate for, including the families who must cope with their loved ones’ complex illness. NAMI is the bright beacon of light and hope that illuminates the dark funnel of despair that many of our clients face every day of their lives. By L. DUFFY Feedback from NAMIWalk Participants I'm new to NAMI and all the good that this organization does. My sister chose to end her own life this past November. We wanted to do something that could change a negative into a positive on some level. One way was to raise money for a worthy cause like NAMI. If you are a family member of someone who suffers with any kind of mental illness, you know that there is an invisible yet ever present heightened sense of awareness to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It's a part of you that you don't really talk about, but continue to try to make the situation better even when it doesn't look like your making any progress! What's great about having NAMI is that it brings to light a secret that everyone knows about but doesn't dare speak of. The support of other walkers that walk next to you and your group may not have the same story. But I'm sure they feel the same way, in need of support, acknowledgement that there could be an answer. The importance of these walks are paramount. Bringing people together for a common cause results in progress. There may never be a cure for certain mental illnesses, but we can certainly keep trying to move forward, one step at a time. By LINDA BARONE, LMSW NAMIWalk provides an opportunity for mental health consumers, their family members and treatment providers to contribute to the cause that links them all. At the Zucker Hillside Adult Day Hospital we wanted our patients to be able to feel like they could be a part of the magic; an unbridled spirit that comes from joining others in support of a worthy cause. However, with obstacles such as fixed incomes and symptom management, many patients find themselves less able to contribute and raise funds. But the recovery process has taught our patients many things about adversity; sometimes another path must be taken. And so we did. For over one month before the walk our patients used their creative touch to make beaded bracelets and trinkets of all sizes. Some shined with vibrant glass colored beads, while others boasted warm wooden textures. The staff at Zucker Hillside was informed of our efforts and we visited different departments with our merchandise. With a warm welcome the patients were able to sell their inventory. Within a few days their fundraising total was at $150.00. Astonished by their sum and empowered by their contribution, our patients are proud to have participated in the NAMIWalk in a way that they may not have been privy to otherwise. By ISAK ISAKOV MD Psychiatrist, and Jamaica Hospital Medical Center NAMI WALK team captain When I ask myself why I walk the NAMIWalk my memories take me back to my first year of residency training in the Department of Psychiatry at North Shore Medical Center, Manhasset, NY. While doing my Community Service rotation in the Day Treatment Program, the patients were encouraged to voice their concerns on different issues in their life. Unfortunately, the voice of those with mentally illness often goes unheard. People with mental illness are not always listened to and their views are not always taken into consideration. One young fellow, sounding very desperate, shared that no one in his family ever listened to him. His plea to be heard touched my heart, stuck in my mind, and taught me to not only hear but to listen to my patients. Listening helped me understand that with the right care and attention those with mental illness can have fulfilling careers, engage in healthy relationships, and be fully functional adults. I decided to make it my goal to spread this message and show that with (Continued on page 8)
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