Crazy, Insane?

*Updated* (with the usual edits)

This morning after writing an initial version of the following and sending it out to some of those on my e-networks and, then after doing a rewrite, I submitted this version for publication as commentary to Counterpoint:

Crazy, Insane?

by Morgan W. Brown

Stigma defined:

In sociological theory, a stigma is an attribute, behavior, or reputation which is socially discrediting in a particular way: it causes an individual to be mentally classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted, normal one.

via Wikipedia, here.

Although it is not really anything new when it comes to both society in general as well as within political circles at various levels and, the news media that covers such, it seems it is becoming even more common than usual for people and particularly the news media to describe or term in one manner or another and for one reason or another anyone as crazy or insane who they or others disagree with, do not understand or fail to accept.

Recent examples include the embattled Governor of Illinois who is being publicly tried within the press as well as the person he appointed to serve as U.S Senator to fill the seat of President-elect Barack Obama. However there are a multitude of examples provided on nearly a daily basis.

It also seems that these portrayals go completely unchecked. The problem is real and serious and it is just not one of being too sensitive about it or one of being politically correct either.

Not only are these stigmatizing (read: prejudicial) acts of negative labeling and public shaming damaging, they also raise issues concerning how, why and when our society labels others as crazy, insane or mentally ill anyone who they might disagree with, do not understand or fail to accept in one form or another, which is more of a political, moral or social form of oppression and exclusion in order to justify prejudice and discrimination.

These stigmatizing and prejudicial acts in fact act to neutralize and limit those so labeled, causing others to instantly question anything the person says or does, in effect marginalizing them by limiting their free speech rights as well as other rights, since through this process they are not to be taken seriously and this appears to be the aim.

As many already well know, this behavior then has an effect of how people think and act regarding those who become diagnosed with serious and persistent mental illnesses as well as how people so labeled perceive themselves. something which can also have the potential of adding to the numbers of those who attempt or actually commit suicide.

In addition, these matters should also raise issues, concerns and questions about psychiatric diagnosing, labels and labeling in general, whom gets diagnosed or labeled and who does the labeling as well as the actual basis or roots such is based or judged upon.

While there are those who are working on these and related matters, there remains a growing need to find various means to begin to push back against the free for all taking place, particularly via the media in a variety of ways.

This is something that has been concerning me for quite some time now, but the continued daily bombardments of these forms of negative labeling and public humilation with political overtones is getting too overwhelming to be allowed to go virtually unchecked and not call such into question.

Concerning what to do or how to do so, at the moment I have no suggestions to offer, yet it is my hope the means can be found.

One approach of course is to exercise what one person had once mentioned to me in such instances: i.e., something along the lines of:

Free speech that bothers us can only be countered with more free speech.

These are among some of my thoughts on the subject, what are yours?

*Note*: made several edits for the purposes of clarification and readability; last updated on Friday, January 9, 2009 at 6:54 AM (EST).

VT Disability Budget Cuts Petition

If you either live or work within Vermont, please consider signing onto this online petition:

VT Disability Budget Cuts Petition:

To: Governor Douglas & Vermont Legislature

The current financial crisis is causing the state of Vermont to consider further reductions in programs affecting some of our most vulnerable families and individuals. These budget cuts, if implemented, will have a devastating impact on individuals with disabilities and on the communities in which they live.

These are difficult times. However, the reality for many individuals with disabilities and their families is that even the best of times are difficult. During times like this we need more help, not less. Vermonters need to be working, not laid off from agencies that serve people when they are most in need.

People with disabilities want to learn, want to work and want to be accepted as members of their communities.

Through no fault of their own, many people with disabilities face many obstacles in their ability to access daily activities that many others take for granted. Access to basic activiies would be impossible for many without the current programs and services now in place. These programs and services keep people healthy and in their communities. They are cost effective and consistent with the values held by most Vermonters.

We, the undersigned, urge our government not to make cuts to programs and services that serve people with disabilities and their families. We urge the government to instead look to other funding sources and to address the revenue shortfall to get Vermont through this temporary financial crisis.
Sincerely,

The Undersigned

After you have read the petition (here) and, if you support the petition, sign on, here.

View a WPTZ – Channel 5 TV – News video clip on the subject as well as related matters, here (Friday, December 19, 2008).

In addition, please help spread the word about the petition to anyone else you might know who either lives or works within Vermont.

Thank you in advance.

Patty Cooper is Not Horsing Around

Two weeks ago tomorrow (Sunday, October 14, 2007), one of my many Google News alerts notified me of yet another blog post by someone living in Vermont whose blog I had been aware of since about the time they first set up their blog and starting blogging post back in July of this year, which was about their new replacement service animal — a miniature horse named Earl (i.e., My New Service Animal).

It was something I found myself being somewhat skeptical about at first, yet decided to take a wait and see approach concerning, at least until that blog post of theirs posted nearly two weeks ago (here), which finally compelled me to give a more slow and careful read to more of their posts as well as do further research of my own on the subject.

As I did even more reading and research during the course of the day, I came to find out that the person had indeed done their homework and research on the subject. This led me to send out some of her posts as well as additional information on the subject to various parties, including to certain members of Vermont press, a few of whom responded with interest and wanting to learn the contact information for the blogger. Initially, this was a problem, since I only knew as much as they did due to the fact that the blog was somewhat anonymous with no means to contact the person directly other than via comments post to their blog.

Then it came to me as to one possible way to search for such and fortunately I was able to come across what was being requested. While I struggled about whether I should share it or not at first, I ended up deciding that since I found it all within the public domain, that it would be okay to do, especially since I knew the person could always request that they remain anonymous if need be and thus the decision about such would still be up to them.

As it turned out though, the individual ended up being fine with being contacted by the press. Additionally, I e-mailed the person myself, so they would be forewarned and know why the press was making inquiries and whom had sent them their way.

Last week David Gram‘s article hit the Associated Press wire and ended up being picked up all over the place, here [via Barre - Montpelier Times Argus; Saturday, October 20, 2007].

Finally, for those like myself who may have read the blog posts and wondered who the person was behind the blog, there was a name and a face as well as photos with some scale and perspective showing Earl and Patty Cooper side by side as she sat in her wheelchair.

Earlier this week I learned about a news segment that had WPTZ – Channel 5 – News had aired about Patty and Earl and, since I had missed it when it originally was broadcast, viewed it online, here.

Just today I came across an embed of the archived video clip:

[via LiveLeak, here; posted by beck64 (October 23, 2007); length: 1:49 minutes/seconds]

[came across the above embedded video via Nothing To Do With Arbroath, here]

Then I learned that on Thursday (10/25/2007) Patty was interviewed live and by telephone on Froggy 100.9 FM radio during the early morning show.

Prior to going on-air Patty had blogged the following (excerpted, here):

[...]

[...] I am getting a radio for Earl, so he can listen to Froggy 100.9

Although I was not able to catch that one either and it was not recorded for podcasting, I have since been informed by the morning radio show host that Patty will be back on for future updates, something I hope to be able to listen in on.

For those not already in the know, although the Central Vermont Community Land Trust (CVCLT) and others are referring to Earl as being a pony, the fact is there is a big difference between ponies and mini horses, just like there is a huge difference between ponies and larger horses. It is much like comparing apples to oranges.

In addition, an example of another person with a disability using a mini horse as a service animal can be found, here; via USA Today; 1/28/2007.

Make sure to read Patty’s blog in order to keep up with any forthcoming news regarding her situation.

Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) Letter of Support

If you live or work in Vermont, please read and consider signing onto the VCDR Letter of Support, here [via Vermont Protection and Advocacy (VT P&A) Website]

About VCDR
The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) is a cross-disability advocacy organization that seeks to increase awareness of disability issues and effect systemic change through legislative and administrative processes. VCDR staff work closely with member organizations to empower people with disabilities, thus enabling them to directly participate in legislative decisions which will expand their civil rights.

Originally established as the Vermont Coalition of the Handicapped (VCH) in 1974, VCH changed its name to the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights in 1990. VCDR is comprised of 28 member organizations including local and statewide organizations of Vermonters with disabilities, parents, advocates and service providers.

[...]

[excerpts via About VCDR page; logo via VCDR Website]

If you are interested in disAbility issues, especially within the state of Vermont, visit the VCDR Website for more information.

Yet another statewide disability organization Website to check out as well is the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL).

[cross-posted to Green Mountain Daily, here]

"Mental Health" Watch

Mental Illness Stigma Project

mental health association of broward county for more education and information visit www.mhabroward.org

[via YouTube, here; posted by cliffordbeers (February 26, 2007); length: 1:26 minutes]

"Mental Health" Watch

What do you think of the current mental health system?

I am looking for video responses. What do you think of the current mental health system?

[via YouTube, here; posted by melsbasketcase (September 25, 2006); length: 8:45 minutes]

Even if the views of the person are somewhat different than my own in one regard or another concerning the matters raised by them within this particular video of theirs, in my opinion, this is definitely a must-watch.

*Update*: For my part, I am not set up to vlog a response to her vlog. However, although it does not address all of the questions and matters she addressed, those interested in learning my own views regarding some — yet not all — of these matters can read an old essay of mine from years back entitled: Self-determination and independence versus force and dependency [via National Empowerment Center (NEC)].

*Note*: last updated on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 5:30 PM [EST].

"Mental Health" Watch

Mental Health Liberation
and
Anti-Psychiatry Movement

Dr. John Breeding, Ph.D. Psychologist talks about the mental health liberation movement, the anti-psychiatry movement, the movement against psychiatric oppression.

[...]

[via YouTube, here; posted by psychtruth (January 02, 2007); length: 16:00 minutes]

fyi:

• Dr. John Breeding, Ph.D. [via Wildest Colts]
• MindFreedom International

"Mental Health" Watch

Social Anxiety Disorder

Dr. John Breeding, Ph.D. Psychologist discusses “Social Anxiety Disorder”. Topics include; fear is not a pathology but survival response; the body attempts to heal itself by discharging negative emotion, tips on how to deal with anxiety, where does social anxiety stem from, how social anxiety is medicalized to sell drugs, resources for helping people get off medications and more.

[...]

[via YouTube, here; posted by psychtruth (February 25, 2007); length: 22:21 minutes]

fyi: Dr. John Breeding, Ph.D. [via Wildest Colts]

Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR)

The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights (VCDR) is a cross-disability advocacy organization that seeks to increase awareness of disability issues and effect systemic change through legislative and administrative processes. VCDR staff work closely with member organizations to empower people with disabilities, thus enabling them to directly participate in legislative decisions which will expand their civil rights.

Originally established as the Vermont Coalition of the Handicapped (VCH) in 1974, VCH changed its name to the Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights in 1990. VCDR is comprised of 28 member organizations including local and statewide organizations of Vermonters with disabilities, parents, advocates and service providers.

[...]

[excerpts via About VCDR page; logo via VCDR Website]

If you are interested in disAbility issues, especially within the state of Vermont, visit the VCDR Website for more information.

Yet another statewide disability organization Website to check out as well is the Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL).

VT-based Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Educational Video (Length: 3 Mins)

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Flying Monkeys of Burlington, Vermont.

[via YouTube, here; posted by monkeyswithwings (November 27, 2006)]

Definitely a must-watch educational video!

For additional information concerning Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and related matters, make certain to visit the following:

• CFS Video informational page
  [via monkeyswithwings.com]
• Vermont CFIDS Association, Inc.
  Turning the Tides of Modern Medicine is No Small Task.
  [via monkeyswithwings.com]
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  

  Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a complex illness characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. People with CFS often function at a much lower level of activity than they did before onset of the illness. CFS can also affect memory, cause weakness and muscle pain, and insomnia.

  [...]

  [via Vermont Department of Health (VDH)]

Came across the above video via 802 Online, here.