“The Butler” Author Haygood Visits Denver
Understanding Schizophrenia
Dr. Peggy Mitchell Norwood
Author Wil Haygood being interviewed by Denver Post editor, Greg Moore
Wil Haygood is a Washington Post writer and author of several books, including The Butler: A Witness to History. Lee Daniel’s movie, The Butler, was based on this book. Haygood was the luncheon speaker, interviewed by Denver Post Editor Greg Moore, at the 9th Annual Mountain Region Black Economic Summit and Expo on May 30 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. The
2014 theme was Connect2Success. The event has been labeled “the premier multicultural business leadership conference in the West.” It features a full-day economic empowerment summit comprised of workshops and panel discussions designed to promote financial literacy and stimulate action toward building and sustaining wealth in the Black community.
L-R: KT Coleman, Financial Advisor; Gary Karre, Assistant Complex Manager; Stephen McMillon, Financial Advisor; Betsy Steckel, Complex Manager’s Assistant; Clarke Octigan, Managing Director, Complex Manager- Southern Mountains; Gabe Terry, Nationwide Financial; Anthony Paul, Financial Advisor
The Denver offices of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management was a proud sponsor of year’s Mountain Region Black Economic Summit (MRBES) Morgan Stanley sponsored a presentation on Social Security titled “The
Choice of a Lifetime”. 44% of Americans currently take their benefit as soon as they are able to, at age 62, but longer life expectancies are changing the face of retirement planning.
My high school boyfriend was diagnosed with schizophrenia as an adult. He had been in and out of treatment and on different medications, but he didn’t like the side effects and stopped taking his meds. He had grown increasingly paranoid when he boarded a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train at New York’s Penn Station. As the train filled and became more crowded, he started to pace up and down the aisle. The other passengers felt he was “menacing” and they called transit police. When the transit cops boarded the train, he pulled out a martial arts sword he had hidden in the leg of his combat-fatigue pants. One thing led to another, and when all was said and done, he was shot eight times. Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder involving a disturbance in thoughts, emotions, and behavior. People with schizophrenia are considered psychotic or “out of touch with reality” and commonly experience hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations are false sensory experiences, for example seeing things that aren’t really there (visual hallucinations) or hearing things that aren’t really there (auditory hallucinations). Delusions are rigidly held false beliefs, for example that people are trying to obstruct, harm, or kill you when they really aren’t (persecutory delusions) or exaggerated beliefs that
you have extraordinary abilities, fame, or wealth that you don’t actually have (grandiose delusions). People with schizophrenia often have disorganized thoughts and speech and may go off on tangents or speak incoherently. Their behavior may also be bizarre, disorganized, or catatonic and they may withdraw from others, exhibit a lack of initiative or pleasure in activities, and have difficulty taking care of themselves. They may also experience lack of emotion or inappropriate emotions. The newspaper dubbed my high school boyfriend “The LIRR Swordsman.” Miraculously, he survived the shooting. His parents communicated that their son was not dangerous; he was simply mentally ill and had not been taking his medication. In lieu of prison time, the court mandated assisted outpatient treatment. He could remain free as long as he stayed on his medication and complied with treatment. Most mentally ill people are not violent and most violent people are not mentally ill. However, when someone is psychotic or out of touch with reality, their risk of violence increases. A psychotic person might not respond to ordinary requests or instructions and may feel paranoid and feel threatened if you approach them. Rather than fearing mentally ill people, we should learn to recognize the signs that someone is in distress or might be at risk for harming themselves or someone else. It is important for us to also learn appropriate ways to assist people with mental health issues and how to refer them to a mental health professional. Do your part and educate yourself on recognizing and responding to mental health issues. – Dr. Peggy Mitchell Norwood Dr Mitchell Norwood is a mental health consultant, ordained minister, and author of the book, Do Something Different…For a Change. You can reach her at peggy@drpegonline.com or 303-745-4944.
Blair Caldwell African American Research Library 2401 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80205 · 720-865-2401
Sonny Lawson Park Reopened
Children and families enjoy the new playground at Sonny Lawson Park grand opening celebration
Sonny Lawson Park, had been fenced off for months due to renovations and a festive grand opening celebration took place on May 31. The event brought together individuals, community groups and organizations to share their talents and resources, and welcome park goers back. Food, dance performances, balloon art, and walking tours of the neighborhood were among the activities on the docket for the day. 8 8 5 Points News
The park at 24th and Welton was the first ball field in Denver to host Negro League games. In 1972, it became the first park in the city dedicated to an African American, Sonny Lawson. Lawson was a Denver native who started the Radio Pharmacy at 2601 Welton Street and ran it for more than fifty years. He was also the district executive for the Democratic Party in east Denver for more than two dozen years.
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Presents: An Advanced Screening of the Film Freedom Summer with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Winston Grady-Willis, MSU Friday, June 20, 2014 | 1:30 pm | Free and open to the public Mr. Bones & Friends Join puppeteer Tim Seeber and learn about dinosaurs. See and touch life sized duplicates and learn about comparative anatomy. All ages. No registration is required
The Blair Caldwell African American Research Library has an exciting lineup of events. Visit www.aarl.denverlibrary.org/events_exhibits/index.html