Published in the Westchester Guardian, February 2011
“I swore, when my daughter was born, I would protect her and never let anything happen to her. Then ‘life’ stepped in.”
There are times when actions by an individual or group can bring an upwelling of emotions – an inner or maybe even an outward tear. I have and believe that we all have these memories and moments that transcend ourselves, our culture, bringing us to a higher level of faith.
Hartsdale resident, Guy Fessenden’s daughter, Suzanne, was born 28 years ago. As loving parents usually do, they suffer when their children suffer. Sixteen years later, Guy and his wife started suffering as their daughter experienced a pain that was totally unexpected, a pain without any visible physical abnormalities. She entered the world of mental illness.
Dedication, discipline, endurance are components of such transcending events. Currently, one action is occurring as this Westchester resident is running across our nation to bring attention to our plight; the plight of all who suffer from mental illness. Guy is not only running from Georgia to California; he is running one hundred marathons in 140 days for Suzanne, and all who suffer. He has a few sponsors but no huge corporate financial backing. He is doing it to fulfill that promise made at the birth of his daughter. The feat began October 2, and is scheduled to end February 19th, 3 P.M. Santa Monica’s Pier One.
Per Guy, “Suzanne is a schizophrenic, suffers from depression and has spent seven of the past 12 years in psychiatric hospitals. Her day is different from yours and mine. She hallucinates and hears voices. These voices tell her she is an awful, terrible person who is a burden, unlovable and that she should kill herself. She wakes in the morning and the first thing she does before opening her eyes is cover her ears.” I met Suzanne and her smile, her personality, the way she carries herself is beautiful.
For me, I was misdiagnosed about 18 years ago with bi-polar disorder. In 2005, out of work for over a year, I went inpatient 5 times in as many months at two separate hospitals before being properly diagnosed with anxiety disorder, depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and post traumatic stress.
There is no blood test, nor scans, to clarify what illness we have, its degree of severity, or its progression or regression. Our behaviors and observations are the only tried and true methods of diagnosis. There is no other way to tell us when our minds lie to us, leading to misdirected thoughts and actions. Every story is different. Everyone is affected and afflicted in a unique way, every family member and friend feeling the pain differently. The only time the mentally ill and our various diagnosis receive attention occurs with after the fact tragic events involving death or some celebrity misbehaving.
We know the statistics are grim. The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) reports that one in four adults, 57.7 million Americans, about 26% of our total population and one in 10 children suffer. It is the leading cause of disability for ages 14-55. The total economic cost which includes productivity loss is valued at $190 billion. Guy also adds that the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States receive $220 million a year in donations – about eleven times more than donations for the leading charity that does research on mental illness.
Guy’s run is almost finished. He survived lung poisoning from running along an expressway for 3 days, broken bones in his foot, blinding headaches, blurred vision, etc. He brought increase awareness, raised some funds and set an athletic precedent; all of which deserve a lot more attention and praise. Momentum was created with this cross country run. Now, it is up to us to build, to establish some foundation, social, economic and spiritual. Please do not let another opportunity for growth to pass. Our members of society who suffer and live with mental ill should not be ignored until some individual or tragic event brings headlines.
Please visit Guy and support him @ www.facebook.com/afathersjourney – even if the run is completed.
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Glenn Slaby Blog