The thing that really makes it hard for those striken with a debilitating brain disorder (and their families) is the unfair stigma that society still, to this day, puts on Mental Illness. We hear jokes and put-downs every day about mental illness as if it's a character flaw or the result of bad paranting, or other such nonsense. Truth is, these are real genetic-based biological illnesses that just happen to affect the organ we call the brain. But because of the stigma, we see too many people who are in denial or families who can't face the reality of what their loved one has, and so we see many on the street and not getting the help that they need.
As an aside, not everyone knows that one of our greatest Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, suffered much of his life from what is now thought to have been debilitating depression.
Tomorrow, 4 May 13, I will be walking with my wife in the NAMIWalks for the Mnd of America to raise money to help those with Mental Illness and their families. Anyone in the Albuquerque area is invited to come join us at Hoffmantown Church at 8AM. It is a 5k Walk. (they are having similar walks all over the country)