brainstorm

By I Z R Galmore

This book is about living the life of a free young spirit growing into adulthood with many challenges in life. She had to learn to deal with the good and the bad that came her way. One of the main challenges in her life was mastering daily living with dual disabilities. She had tremendous faith and strength. She faced her disabilities head on with help from the mental health community, who provided the medication and counseling that she continuous to utilize today. She also had good friends and

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781634177382

Book preview

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A Mainstreamed Lifestyle

BRAINSTORM

It’s OK to Be Mentally Ill . . .

I Z R Galmore

Copyright © 2015 I Z R Galmore

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2015

ISBN 978-1-63417-737-5 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-63417-738-2 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Special thanks to my entire family

and many friends:

Darnise Henery Bush

Dr. Ronald Byrd

Robert Coward

Elizabeth A. Davis

Willie Davis

Betty Danquah

Mildred C. Fields

Thessalonian Fields

Dr. Helen Flemming

Hazel Franklin

James C. Galmore III

Gloria Glasgow

Anthony Green

Cabrina Green

Leonard Higgs

Alicia Johns

Reverend Victoria and Samuel Johnson

Melvin Lyles

Vonia M. Lyles

Mathew McCollough

Reverend Belton L. Platt

Susan Platt

Magnolia Penny Pitts

Hannah Faye Pitts-Galmore Davis

Donna Perrico

Reverend Karen Radcliffe

Reverend Tresco E. Shannon

Richard Allen Simms

Dr. Betsy Stoutmorrill

Lilliana Tatum

Sandra Vincent

Richard Walters

Sonja Watts-Means

Bertha Williams

Dr. Robert Henry Williams

In loving memory of

James C. Galmore, my father

Caldessa Barnett, my dear niece

and, Odesscia Galmore Barnett, my sister.

'

Contents

Purpose

Everybody and everything in life has a purpose. I am going to share my true life story with you so that you may be enlightened about people with disabilities. I hope that if you as an individual begin to learn and then teach others, the world will soon have a better understanding of equality. I was born into the independent living movement it was a part of the civil rights act. This simply means that even people who may look or act different than others should be treated just like everybody else.

The movement helped me understand that I am in control of the path I take in life and the choices I make are mine. One of my most valued experiences was going to a Center for Independent Living (CIL). A CIL is a place that is managed and run by persons with disabilities. At least 51% of the staff and board of directors are people with disabilities.

CILs are mandated by Congress under the Department of Education Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A variety of services are offered to assist people with disabilities and chronic health problems achieve goals. Peer Support, Social Groups, Advocacy and Information and Referrals are some of the key services in a CIL.

In the CIL that I went to I learned from others with disabilities how to improve the quality of my life and manage challenges that I faced each day. Members of the group had many disabilities including mental illness. No one was treated differently. We all were equally valued and encouraged to feel as part of the whole group. I was motivated to embrace life and developed skills to advocate for what I want.

I learned that my voice was just as important as anybody’s voice. I understood the true value of voting. At the age of eighteen I voted and begin to volunteer in the movement and attend meetings where I gained courage to demand equality. We have made a great impact on the way society see us. EQUALITY IS THE KEY TO LIFE.

Introduction

I am writing this story because I think it will help others in dealing with learning disabilities, mental illness, or any issue for that matter, in recognizing that a problem exists, accept it, and get the needed help. Life problems can be made less difficult to cope with if one appropriately uses the assistance available to them. For a long time, I tried to make it without telling anyone about what I was going through each day. Now that I am older and understand the need for help, I am more accepting that I don’t have to deal with everything on my own. I have come to accept and enjoy the fact that I can get help from family, friends, doctors, and other supports if I needed it. If anyone needs to know about the many other services and supports that exist in the local community or nationwide, a good reference is the American with Disabilities Act. (ADA).

What has been most effective for me personally in terms of managing my daily living is through what I classify as a mainstreamed lifestyle. To me, my mainstreamed lifestyle is a self-developed way to manage daily living and all the bull that comes with it. I sometimes get off track but inevitably manage to pick myself up and keep going. I have had many downs in my thirty-three years, but the ups, have only come about with the help of God! While there are some who struggle with whether or not God exist, I do know that he does. My story is proof that he does exist and serve as a testimony to those who do not believe or waver in their faith.

Being Born into This World

On May 9, 1977, I was born at Howard University Hospital in the District of Columbia (DC). I weighed 7 pounds and 9.5 ounces. I had all ten fingers and toes, and