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| Stigma The following memo was sent to all California State Senators by Tom Barresi: February 13, 2001 That my unfortunate "breakdown" in Lemoore, Calif. is well documented, I can't deny; but of the aftermath of said event, I'd like to make this comment: Not since January 19th,1992, (that fateful day), have I seen, or spoken with: my parents, my three brothers, their wives, or their children. For all exist in a permanent state of fear; fear of, not so much for what I did, but moreover, for what, (they unjustly think), I may yet do! Such is the spectral nature of stigma, as it applies to the daily life of a mental patient. Of the myriad of maladies available to us, as a society: patronization, alienation, being ignored, lacking credibility, and being feared; stigma and discrimination are the ones I dislike the most. For, where the former are finite problems; stigma is a perpetual one. However, as always, I draw great strength from the great examples of battle. And perhaps the most heroic display of bravery under fire ever, in American history, occurred in the most "stigmatic" war of all time…...The Viet-Nam War. Outnumbered by 100,000 crack, North Viet-Nam Regulars; 4,000 of the 3rd Marines held out for 3 months, without reinforcements, or supplies, in one of America's only "dug in defenses" of the war. Lacking food,(many ate rats), sleeping in shell craters of rain water, and fighting with only their fists, and helmets; these warriors beat back the advancing horde until ordered to evacuate by both LBJ, and Gen. Westmoreland jointly. I firmly believe these "crazy grunts" would be there today, had the order to withdraw, not been mandated from the President himself. The battle to which I am refering was the "Seige of Khe Sahn"; which took place in 1968, in Viet Nam, during the brutal Tet Offensive. In my view, it was America's last, heroic display of raw courage, and fortitude, against overwhelming odds; on the field of battle. I only make mention of this battle here, because, America likes winners. It really doesn't tolerate losers, or for that matter, less than perfectly "well-adjusted" people. So when these brave men came home in 1969, to rejection and alienation, for quite possibly, having "accomplished the impossible"; in order to "cope" they borrowed a play or two from the lowly, mentally ill….mainly: they became "numb", numb to it all. So numb in fact, that as they stare out today, across the park, clutching their bag of "Ripple"; they don't think much about how they perceive the world, or of what unheralded deeds they have achieved; but rather, like their mentally ill mentors, they think painfully, of how the world perceives them; for trying to do nothing more than to survive against overwhelming odds, "in the field of battle", one more day! "What if Earth was another Planet's Hell?...A. Huxley Regards, Click here for additional writing on this topic by Tom Barresi. Note: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by NAMI Santa Cruz County. |
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Opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily reflect the views of NAMI Santa Cruz County, NAMI California or any affiliated organizations. We attempt to present a balanced perspective on issues by presenting multiple viewpoints. Copyright 2005 National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Santa Cruz County, All Rights Reserved. FAIR USE NOTICE: This may contain copyrighted (©) material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Such material is made available to advance understanding of ecological, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, moral, ethical, and social justice issues, etc. It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. |
