Why now?

For the last two decades I’ve lived and witnessed the reality of the personal & financial burdens that are placed on caregiving families, their loved ones who suffer from mental health issues, the sharp decline in mental health services available and stigma.

In 2011 I observed the breakdown of our health insurance system with respect to mental health services and their policyholders.  After witnessing the abuse that the hospital system and the insurance company put my loved one through I chose to step out of the shadows and advocate.  In the nearly 30 years that I have been in such facilities witnessing emergency mental health services I’d never seen the level of care as low as I witnessed. 

Change needs to happen now. The ever-increasing costs of living, the reality of the limited income potential and hirability of the chronically mentally ill coupled with the fervent desire for caregivers to help and care for those we love are tearing families apart emotionally and financially. 

As I began researching a new angle to advocate in Nov. 2011 the term caregiver came up, it was a breakthrough for me, a name for me, a voice.  I also realized that the data is all there for the powers that be to help us, they are just choosing to look the other way and profit from our sacrifice. It's not a pretty issue.  

I decided to stick to the facts and dispel misinformation.  For instance, I'd heard of the significant increases to premiums if proper mental health care was provided to patients.  In fact, EVERY study shows the exact OPPOSITE.  Proper mental health care will not raise costs any higher than the standard increases expected, period.  In fact, studies show that health care costs and premiums will go DOWN as the health care industry will be dealing with less ancillary health issues of the caregivers—of which I’m a great example.

I hope that you’ll come visit and read when you need info, share your experiences and help me to affect change in your state and in Washington DC so that our loved ones can realize their true potential in this life, the only one they get.

I've been around mental illness, an illness of the brain, my whole life.  I’m a mother, wife, caregiver, friend and now an advocate.

Thank you for visiting & I hope my site helps you.  God Bless you & your loved ones.

Why Turtles & Lemonade?

Turtles have tough shells but few tools to protect themselves.  They hide then tentatively move ahead into the world until it's time to retreat again. 

When given lemons I'd prefer to make lemonade, that's what we're going to do here. Take a situation you didn't choose and make it better.

Sometimes we're the turtle.  Sometimes we're ready to change the world and make lemonade. We get it.