Your story is exceedingly difficult to comprehend. It’s well written and truly tragic, with the concluding silver lining that I was so happy to see. I am amazed at your courage, perseverance and endurance, Ms. Curtis, and incredibly thankful that you’re willing to share it with the world. That takes guts, which you clearly have in abundance.
My son is currently working on his third year in a mental health facility and experiencing various stages of care after court-ordered medication had gone into effect in 2022. He has schizophrenia.
The stigma alone of mental health issues can be overwhelming to say nothing of what the patient suffers -alone from their perspective. Your experiences go so far beyond that - it’s a lot to take in. I won’t offer platitudes, so, I’ll just say God bless you and that I wish you well.
I am working on my first substantial post and it concerns mental health issues directly relating to my son’s experiences. I would be honored if you would offer your thoughts. I expect to publish it on my seventieth birthday. April 6th, 2025. I’d like to believe that it will be kind of a new beginning for me (creatively speaking).
Be well. You are indeed lucky to be alive and I consider myself fortunate to have received your words.
I research some of Virginia's institutional histories, particularly at the intersection of mental health facilities and incarceration, & can say that you have kin across centuries - some in Fluvanna county itself - who know these experiences too. The system might be different, but the pain & strength echoes in similar ways. When you share your light, you also illuminate forgotten stories across time in a way that's long overdue, especially for this state. Thank you, deeply.
Your story is exceedingly difficult to comprehend. It’s well written and truly tragic, with the concluding silver lining that I was so happy to see. I am amazed at your courage, perseverance and endurance, Ms. Curtis, and incredibly thankful that you’re willing to share it with the world. That takes guts, which you clearly have in abundance.
My son is currently working on his third year in a mental health facility and experiencing various stages of care after court-ordered medication had gone into effect in 2022. He has schizophrenia.
The stigma alone of mental health issues can be overwhelming to say nothing of what the patient suffers -alone from their perspective. Your experiences go so far beyond that - it’s a lot to take in. I won’t offer platitudes, so, I’ll just say God bless you and that I wish you well.
I am working on my first substantial post and it concerns mental health issues directly relating to my son’s experiences. I would be honored if you would offer your thoughts. I expect to publish it on my seventieth birthday. April 6th, 2025. I’d like to believe that it will be kind of a new beginning for me (creatively speaking).
Be well. You are indeed lucky to be alive and I consider myself fortunate to have received your words.
gary
Thank you for this thoughtful comment. I'm going to try to forward it to Mithrellas.
I research some of Virginia's institutional histories, particularly at the intersection of mental health facilities and incarceration, & can say that you have kin across centuries - some in Fluvanna county itself - who know these experiences too. The system might be different, but the pain & strength echoes in similar ways. When you share your light, you also illuminate forgotten stories across time in a way that's long overdue, especially for this state. Thank you, deeply.