TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Page 2: 9 Ways to Fight Stigma
By Karen B.
Page 3: Dreams Grows Food to Eat!
Page 4: Dreams Talent Show Big Success!
By Pamela S.
Page 5: Fresh Start
By: Brendan Tomaszewski
Page 6: Music is Good for the Soul
By: Brendan Tomaszewski
New Job New Outlook
By Karen B.
Volume #31 Number 3 DREAMWEAVER A Publication of Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse Colleagues
By Karen B.
Recently I found an article online from NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) that lists nine ways to fight stigma. I would like to share this with you:
1. Talk openly about mental health.
2. Educate yourself and others.
3. Be conscious of language. Please say, “He/She HAS bipolar or schizophrenia, NOT He/She IS bipolar or schizophrenic. This is important. (I am always reminding my family members and friends to do this! You see, I am not my illness; I just happen to HAVE the illness!)
4. Encourage equality between physical and mental illness.
5. Show compassion for those with mental illness.
6. Choose empowerment over shame.
7. Be honest about treatment.
8. Let the media know when they’re being stigmatizing.
9. Don’t harbor self-stigma.
The article also states, “Most people who live with mental illness have, at some point, been blamed for their condition. They’ve been called names. Their symptoms have been referred to as ‘a phase’ or something they can control ‘if they only tried.’ They have been illegally discriminated against, with no justice. This is the unwieldy power that stigma holds.”
The article also states, “Stigma causes people to feel ashamed for something that is out of their control. Worst of all, stigma prevents people from seeking the help they need. For a group of people who already carry such a heavy burden, stigma is an unacceptable addition to their pain. And while stigma has reduced in recent years, the pace of progress has not been quick enough.
“All of us in the mental health community need to raise our voices against stigma. Every day, in every possible way, we need to stand up to stigma.”
I also want to mention that Saturday, October 8, 2022 is Depression and Mental Health Screening Day, and Monday, October 10, 2022 is World Mental Health Day.
Volume #31 Number 3 9
Ways to Fight Stigma
Dreams Grows Food to Eat!
By Pamela S
We planted an awesome garden at the clubhouse outside our kitchen window. A committee met to decide what kind of plants would be best for our needs. We decided on tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, brussels sprouts and lots of herbs.
Everyday we enjoyed our harvest. Visitors and members alike were amazed at how well it grew. If you were feeling a little down, a walk into the garden lifted your spirits.
Our garden lasted all summer from May through October. We will meet and decide what was successful and where we could improve. It is sort of sad to put the garden to bed but the growing season in Michigan is short. It was fun to learn to be farmers in Royal Oak.
Volume #31 Number 3
Dreams Talent Show Big Success!
By Pamela
Last month Dreams Clubhouse had a talent show and it was delight to all the members. Alex was the master of ceremonies. Displaying their talents was Greg with his saxophone. Bridgette and Bri sang awesome songs. “Before I Let Go” a heartfelt song by Beyonce was sang by Mo. A talent show is a great way to gain confidence and connect with fellow Dreamers. I think we will do it again. Enjoy these photos of the show!
Volume #31 Number 3
Fresh Start
By: Brendan Tomaszewski
Originally, I visited the clubhouse during the fall of last year. The main reason I spent time at the clubhouse was to work on my resume with hopes of acquiring employment. I did eventually find a job, yet ultimately I got terminated. I found a job in the Spring, yet I quit that job, because of my anxiety. My father suggested I try to get on SSDI, so we put the ball in motion by hiring an attorney. At the same time, my father got me working with Michigan Rehabilitation Services. During this summer my father and I attended meetings with Eva the lady who’s function was to find me employment. After several meetings with Eva I told my father my anxiety was too severe to operate for an employer. That’s when I had a eureka moment. A terrific, great place to work through my anxiety while, also gaining some social skills and workplace skills would be the Easter Seals Clubhouse.
I’ve decided to visit the clubhouse Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:30 to 2:00. That’s like the amount of time a shift at my last job was. I find it calm here and the people are great, kind human beings. Lyndsey and Irvine have made my experience joyful. They ask me how I am, and give me direction on how I can Contribute. I’ve been working in the company of MSU (Member Services Unit), also maintenance, and now the Newsletter.
I would recommend the clubhouse to anyone attending Easter Seals. Perhaps, mention it to people at the office and see what they say. You never know who may get positivity from participating in the Clubhouse.
Volume #31 Number 3
Music is good for the soul
By: Brendan Tomaszewski
I love all kinds of music. I like everything from Ravi Shankar to first name Rakim, stage name Asap Rocky. I think my favorite kind of music is electronic alternative. Something about the synthesizer makes my psyche feel mellow and excited. I’m not sure how long the synthesizer has been in the music world, yet my guess would be the 80s or 90s. I’d learn how to play the synthesizer, yet my memory isn’t good and I think there’s too many keys to memorize. I’ve thought about taking guitar lessons again—I played guitar when I was younger yet I’m not sure how often I’d practice. In my life I’ve played saxophone, guitar, and occasionally dabbled with piano I’ve even created a melody on the piano, that I made in church many years ago.
A great song that includes piano is One Notes by: White Magic. Speaking of magic I’ve been to a few live shows. So I know what your thinking it couldn’t of been that good. Let me tell you it was an experience, yet I think live music sounds worse. The most notable artists I’ve seen would be Peter, Paul, and Mary whom I saw at the Fox Theatre with my family
Ratatat, Animal Collective, and Thom Yorke. Rolling stone valued Thom Yorke as the 66th best singer of all time, yet I think he’s gotta be in the top ten of all time.
Volume #31 Number 3
By Karen B.
On June 14, 2022 I started a new Transitional Employment (TE) job through clubhouse. I work at Oakland Community Health Network in Troy on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I am their Wellness Center Attendant. The Wellness Center has a lot of exercise equipment that employees in the building use, along with individuals being served they will be able to use the equipment too. I also have been relieving the front desk receptionist when she has her breaks and lunch, and I’ve enjoyed greeting people. I also have helped a support specialist with various clerical duties, and have performed other clerical duties.
I love this organization. The people who work there are great! And they work very hard! Many thanks to the staff and members of clubhouse who have helped me come this far, and this all has been a great experience!
Volume #31 Number 3
New Job New Outlook
Volume #31 Number 3
Pictures from the Clubhouse Michigan Conference and World Seminar
