hospitalisation

Would like to hear people's experiences with inpatient treatment in the UK #inpatientcare #hospitalisation #BPD #EUPD

For months, I have struggled with internalised stigma aimed at my hospitalisation for mental illness. I thought myself to be a failure, a shipwreck and a trainwreck. I thought myself to be a confused and messed up individual. I threw label after label at myself of insulting words, stigmatising my recovery journey.

The truth is, I was and am not any of those things. I was in need of hospitalisation because of my mental illness. I am not a bad person or any terrible expletive or adjective because I was hospitalised. Millions of people end up losing their lives because they don’t end up getting treatment for their illness. I am not one of them.

I am also not a person who is in denial of their illness, a person ignoring or belittling their illness. I am a person with lived experience of illness, a mental health advocate, a writer and a socially active individual. I am someone who has supported and encouraged others in my position to seek help and share their story. Even if it is through sharing my own story.

Moreover, I am no sinner for having been hospitalised. I am, however, doing the right thing for my wellbeing, my overall wellness and my long term life span. I am choosing to live life as a person actively engaged with their treatment and recovery, not ignoring or shying away from it.

#MentalIllness #hospitalisation

What do you think when you hear the name- Robin Williams? Comedian and actor. Now, what do you FEEL when you hear the name- Robin Williams? Well, if you're like myself and millions of other people, you probably feel– happy... and then you remember that he's gone. This changes everything for me! Now, here comes the heavy sense of loss and greif… and boy are we well acquainted. I've lost loved ones, and I've lost the life I once knew due to illness. My years of illness gets me to thinking…it leads me to think back to my childhood connection with him; and only then does the heaviness lift, bringing a smile to my face.

It's been years since the tragic loss of a legendary comedian, actor, philanthropist, and honest & endearing human being. My heart aches every single time I see his face and/or hear his name; one can only imagine what his family feels and goes through on a daily basis… not having your partner or Daddy here with you. The fact that he's forever going to be loved and remember until the end of time! He touched every audience; regardless of proximity (home, theatre, stage, 1 on 1, etc.), he brought us joy and drama… but his heart always connected with yours. At least I know that it did mine!

He brought me comfort during my life if growing up/living in hospital; pulling me out of my hospital bed, taking me along on his journey to Agrabah or Neverland. For a child to be drawn into a movie, and to escape their painful and frightening reality, even for but a moment… this is everything. Unless you've been THAT kid, you'll never understand how massive that is!

It's hard losing someone, whether you "know" them or not; but especially so when they're someone who had such an impact, during some of the WORST time/years of my life. He allowed me to TRY to find the funny in every situation…ESPECIALLY during the dark times. I only hope that he knows how pivotal a role he had on my life; and I hope stories like mine bring comfort to his family.

Oh, and to this day- I'll turn on a movie (or his Whose Line Is It Anyways episode) and lose myself in the film and his brilliant story telling. He still brings so much comfort to me, and has the ability to pull me out of my darkness… one laugh at a time!

#RobinWilliams #Suicide #childhoodillness #Inspiration #Depression #pancreatitis #ChronicPain #ChronicPancreatitis #Pain #illness #SickKids #pediatrics #aladin #hook #hospitalisation #Happiness #laughter #laughteristhebestmedicine