I know. I know. Everyone is getting tired of hearing about Britney Spear's issues.
So, I'm not actually going to talk about HER issues.
I am going to talk about the issue itself. I think it's safe to assume that she is experiencing some kind of mental illness or mental issue that appears to be preventing her from leading a typically normal life as a person and mother, family member and friend.
In a way I am glad the media is covering the issue. But they aren't covering it the way I'd actually like to see.
I'd like to see the media talk about mental illnesses themselves. I'd like to see the media bring attention to how hard it is to treat mental illness. And it's hard on for so many different reasons.
Access/wait lists for doctors are too long.
State budges aren't enough to assist in treatment options.
Not everyone has health insurance to cover the cost of medication and therapy.
If you are an adult, it becomes really hard to force you to seek treatment.
Not to compare Brittany to what happened at VA Tech last spring, but the truth is, if you are over 18, it becomes a lot harder to force treatment on you. There are confidentiality rules that prevent family members, friends, companies and schools from knowing you may even need the help.
Brittany appears to have the money to seek treatment and help, but it appears she won't, or is at least showing resistance to it. She also appears to have loving parents that want to support her, despite the frustration they must be experiencing, and the sadness of watching their child struggle privately and publicly.
But, like many with a mental illness, it's not her that is showing resistance.
It's the mental illness itself. And, in this country, mental illness too often wins and slowly engulfs it's victim. There are many victims: the person himself, his family and his friends. Mental illness effects many people in many different ways.
And like her, there are soooo many more out there suffering.
I'd like to know what all of the presidential candidates REALLY feel should be done with the mental illness system we have in America.
**please note, I am not diagnosing Britney Spears as having a mental illness, all statements regarding her are my interpretation of media reports.
Cross posted over at DCMetroMoms where I am a contributing writer.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Britney Spears and Politics
Book Review
I've got a new book review up over at Yup - Another Review Blog.Go check it out - especially if you are a teacher or have an interest in education.
Read more!Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wordless Wednesday
No words for today's announcement on John withdrawing from his campaing to be president.
No words because now, instead of talking, I need to go find another candidate I like.
To see other Wordless Wednesday's, click here.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Autism Awareness
As you know, my son is on the Autism Spectrum and I also work with children on the spectrum doing in-home behavioral support. So, I have a soft spot for Autism Awareness like things. Over the weekend a friend sent me a link to "What Kind Of World Do You Want.com"
Five for Fighting (a rock band) is donating money to various charities for video's watched on their website.
You should go check it out.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Next President
Over at DC Metro Moms and the sister sites an invitation has been given to the candidates. (again) It's inviting them to come talk to us. The Moms. Elizabeth Edwards has already chatted with us twice in fact. But we've heard nothing from the other candidates.
I'm pretty sure I know who I am voting for. But to be honest, I'm not sure where all the people stand. It's hard to find out. They all make promises, and the media can definitely be biased in their reporting, not to mention reporting on the bickering as well. How do we know the truth?
How do we really know how they will act in the position of President and/or Vice President? How do we know they will continue the agenda's they have made important in their campaigns?
So much of this election on the Democrat side has turned into an African American vs female issue. And I'll be blunt here, as great as it would be to finally elect someone of a minority status to be President, there has to be more than that for me to push the button for that person to be elected. I'll make that decision based on who I believe will best represent my feelings and how the country should be run at home and as a contributing member to the world.
What a better way to help spread their campaign message than by talking to Mom's?!? Let us help spread the word when out at the parks, picking up kids at school and sports, and blogging?
So, Hillary, Barack, John, John, Rudy, Mike, and Mitt: anyone game?!?
I'm Waking Up
Something you don't know about me is that I have Epstein Barr Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It means I get chronically sleepy. And I don't mean tired from all that involves living. I mean I need to sleep right now and for many hours and days.
Back in college I came down with Mono. One of the worst the college clinic had ever seen. It put me in the hospital for a week and I developed ITP. They froze my blood to use in studies.
After lots of medications and followups I was declared healthy again after a year.
However, in the past 15 years or so I go through periods where I sleep a tremendous amount. A couple of years I finally got diagnosed with Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Not that there is a cure or anything. But at least I know I sleep a lot for a reason, not entirely due to laziness.
I've been sleepy and dragging for about a week now as well as running a low grade fever on and off. Then Friday it hit big time. I took a 5 hour nap in the afternoon after sleeping in till 10am. Got about 9 hours of sleep that night. Took a brief nap in the afternoon. Got 9ish hours of sleep Saturday night. Took a 5 hour nap in the afternoon Sunday and got about 10 hours of sleep Sunday night.
But finally, I feel like myself again. I have energy. I feel awake.
And although it's nice to be able to take naps, sometimes I really hate having to take them so much.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Haiku Friday
Posts
