My beautiful brilliant Aunt Donna Rose Orrin is losing her valiant battle with mental illness after decades of treatment. Her body is failing. She can no longer speak. Donnas arduous journey has inspired and informed my life and my own struggle with depression. Last night, as the phone was held near her ear, I promised Id post a few of the articles that spoke of her work as an unwavering advocate. I love you more than you could possibly know and will always hold your truths in my heart and will speak them often. Ann Arbor resident Donna Orrin, MSW, is a consumer, the author of Consumer Involvement in Policymaking for the Michigan Department of Community Health, and a member of Gov. Granholms Mental Health Commission. There were times that Orrin did not believe she had bipolar disorder despite experiencing extreme symptoms of that illness -- a common condition that leads to treatment refusal. My mother had me committed against my will three times, and I would get so mad at her, Orrin said. But thanks to her willingness to help me when I was not able to help myself, I have now been in treatment for a number of years, and have gained insight into my illness. I have also worked on my recovery process and have created a quality life of my personal choice. I often now think that my mother must have loved me very much to intervene when my illness made me push her away. Orrins experiences have made her a strong advocate for other consumers and for Kevins Law. Assisted outpatient treatment is meant to help those who cannot identify their symptoms, and therefore do not seek help. As a result, they could be at risk for suicide, homelessness, incarceration, or vulnerability to danger from others. They could lose their spouses or other family members; they could lose their jobs. They could become violent, solely because of their symptoms. They deserve better. Kevins Law can give them the same chance I had.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:20:00 +0000
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