I have much to be thankful for. I am blessed with two wonderful talented sons, one of whom experienced a severe brain disorder when he was a teen. As a result of his illness over the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to help hundreds of families survive the traumas of having a mental illness in their family by being an advocate. For 15 years, mental illness has brought my knees closer to the ground and as a result I have developed a wonderful relationship with my God. My prayers helped drown out the years of incarceration, homelessness, sick worry, family division and restraining orders

Today I have much to be joyful about. I feel like shouting from my rooftop. You see, two months ago my son realized that he did indeed have a mental illness. As a result of that, he is actively pursing recovery. He attends several recovery classes a day, religiously takes his meds, is living on his own with a roommate, attends church, is learning how to cook and is welcome in our home once again. I am so proud of him. There is nothing more that I could possibly want than my son to continue on his path of learning. Yes, I have much to be thankful for.

-- NAMI California Board Member

I have a lot to be thankful for every day! I have a brother that was first diagnosed more than 45 years ago. For more than 40 years he has been here in Orange County, California. Until four years ago, I had never heard of NAMI. In one of his manic episodes, I had out my yellow pad and was writing down names and phone numbers as fast as I could and from any source that was willing to give me information. Eventually, he was 5150-ed and hospitalized. The mania subsided and I forgot about my yellow pad with its names and numbers. About two months later I got a phone call from a very pleasant lady telling me that the Family to Family class that  I had expressed interest in was about to start. I didn't remember expressing any interest in a class, much less one that would last twelve weeks, but the caller was pleasant and I agreed to go--at least to the first one.

At the first meeting I entered a room set for about 20 people and took my place at the table with more than a little skepticism. About 15 minutes later I realized that for the first time in my life I was sitting in a room full of people who knew exactly what I had been living through for 40 years. I seldom encountered a soul that understood, let alone a roomful. I was so impressed that I returned the following week. My granddaughter, who is bipolar, gained entry because there were other members of her family who also are challenged with mental illness. Melissa and I completed the class. Being slow learners, we implored the powers that be to allow us to take it again; they did and we did. It was a wonderful experience for each of us and for both of us together.

Melissa and I then took the training to be Family to Family teachers and teachers of the Provider class as well. Having completed both, we are teaching Family to Family classes and Provider classes regularly. I know that working together has been good for me, good for Melissa, and good for our relationship. I trust that there is an equal benefit for the members of our classes.

For the last four years I have been using what I have learned to better understand my brother and his illness. We see each other on a regular basis and talk with each other many times a week. Through NAMI, I have learned to channel my grief into advocacy. I have learned to separate my brother from his illness and I have found a friend.
 

-- A Southern California NAMI Member.