Follow the journey on Facebook

Hi everyone

The Facebook page has seemed to replace this blog and all updates have been posted there.  The other advantage Facebook has as well is that it is more interactive.  So if you have something you want to share, or ask, or say please feel free!  After all, that's what this is all about. Talking and speaking out.

However since the Kalgoorlie Miner paper published this blog address I thought I had better send any traffic back to the action!

So come join us - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stepping-Out-for-Dane/161257183887394

60 minutes

Last night I watched a story on 60 minutes about Perth newsreader Charmaine Dragun.  Battling mental illness for more than a decade she was unable to fight any more and took her life at the notorious Sydney suicide spot, The Gap.

There were a couple of things that really stood out to me in this story and what stood out most was how easy it is to look at the face people put on to show the world.  From any outsider looking in this girl from Perth had it all.  She was in love, had a wonderful loving family, a glamorous job and yet she still had so much hurt and anguish and pain she just wanted it to end and she did it the only way she knew how.  Watching her, she appears so confident and beautiful ,with the world at her feet.  I think of the lyrics from one of my favourite Smokey Robinson songs, "Now there's some sad things known to man.  But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown, when there's no one around"

Charmaine's mother made mention that Charmaine blamed herself for being sick and asked "Why?  Why did she blame herself?"  The analogy was made that a person with heart disease doesn't feel the need to blame themselves (unless I guess they've been on a cheeseburger diet!  another story...  ;) ) and yet a person with a depressive illness is likely to blame themselves for being that way.

Both these things come done to one thing I think.  Stigma.
The stigma that if you have depression you are weak.
The stigma that if you are bipolar you are 'looney'.
The stigma that if you've lost a loved one to suicide you can not share your grief freely.
Stigma.

This MUST change.  It HAS to.

If you need to speak to someone remember Lifeline is only a phonecall away - 13 11 14

My own black dog

On a bad day... when I wake up I don't even want to open my eyes.

On a bad day... the thought of lifting my body up out of bed can bring me to tears.

On a bad day... someone can ask me what's wrong and I don't even have the energy to respond.

On a bad day... the anxiety in the pit of my stomach can make me vomit.

On a bad day... I'm mean, I snap, I grump, I scowl, I'm angry.

On a bad day... I cry.  For hours.

On a bad day... I feel helpless and out of control.

On a bad day... I'm over energised, hyper active, never still, nervous.

This is depression for me.

One bad day, at my lowest, my very lowest... it was just one day, it was just a fleeting thought.  I thought no one would miss me.

My depression was only recently diagnosed (just over a year ago) but on reflection I have been fighting this disease since my teenage years.

On a good day... I can say I have depression but I'm ok.

Kel  xx

Have you missed me??

I've been out of action (on this blog anyway!) for a couple of days.  Have I been idle in this time?  Wouldn't that be nice!

I still haven't replaced my crushed pedometer.  What is the appropriate period of mourning one must wait before replacing a piece of gadgetry that was attached to oneself for 10 hours a day?  I'm sure there's some socially acceptable formula.
It probably goes something like the cost of pedometer squared/height of the wearer x number of steps taken/days owned x100 = the number of days before replacement can be made...

Rough calculation in my head on the calculator...  33.6113 days,   yep a month, that's about the time frame I get things done in.  Maori time!   ;)

The event organisation is coming along nicely.  I owe a huge thanks to Marita from Red on Red Florist for her her help and support and above all her enthusiasm.  It's a bug I don't mind catching!

The (draft) general outline/timeline for the weekend 29-30 January 2011 is:

Saturday 29

11am – 3pm     Mini fete/carnival and general entertainment.  Stalls, fairy, clown, wacky wagon, zumba demo.

12pm               Start walking!

7pm – 12am     “Blue” Cocktail Evening.  Guest speaker and local band/DJ/entertainment

Sunday 30

8am – 10/11am Sausage Sizzle breakfast

12pm                 Stop Walking!

12-1pm              Wind down/Silent Auctions close/Raffles drawn

I hope many of you will be able to join us.

There's lots of work to do but I'm excited.  And I have to say again I'm absolutely thrilled and humbled by the feedback, support and encouragement I am receiving.

Enjoy the rest of the work week my friends!  Look after each other.

Kel  xx

        

Today was "R U OK?" Day

Thursday 7 October, 2010 is R U OK?Day, a national day of action that aims to prevent suicide by encouraging people to connect with colleagues, friends and loved ones and ask: "Are you OK?".

Staying connected with others is crucial to our general health and wellbeing. Feelings of isolation and being alone are major contributing factors to depression and social issues that can ultimately result in suicide. Regular, meaningful conversations can protect those we know and love.

It's so simple but in the time it takes to have a coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life.

It was lovely today to see so many people on Facebook ask the question and talk.  While it's nice to have a special day, it should be every day that you ask those you know, "How are you?" and remind them, "I love you".

There may come a time though when you ask and someone says, "No, I'm not."  Then what?  Those that suffer with depression will know the frustration of being told,"Cheer up mate" or "Things will be ok".

I would encourage everyone to look into Suicide Prevention First Aid Training.  

LivingWorks is a national Lifeline service aiming to create suicide safer communities by providing training to increase suicide awareness and/or prevent suicide.

A network of trainers across Australia can provide Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) or safeTalk training to equip individuals to help people at risk of suicide keep safe and access further support.

This training can be provided to family and friends, work and team mates, in professional or volunteering roles.

LivingWorks training can help people:
Increase their awareness of suicide and see prevention opportunities they may otherwise miss
Become more alert to clues and communications that someone may be thinking of suicide
Ask about suicide and respond in ways that show understanding and assess risk
Work with persons at risk to increase their safety
Facilitate links with further help from family, friends and professional helpers as needed

For more information about the training provided by LivingWorks visit the LivingWorks website or contact LivingWorks Australia directly:

LivingWorks Australia
P.O. Box 173
Deakin West, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone: (02) 6215 9499 
Fax: (02) 6215 9401 
Email: info@livingworks.org.au

Ps.  No step count for today, still haven't replaced the crushed pedometer!

Things are rolling

Firstly the step(s) update.

Tuesday - 10,897

Today - Um... I ran over my pedometer!!!  (stop laughing)  I suppose you want to hear the story behind it.
I have every Wednesday off from my day job as a teller for NAB.  Although I use the term "day off" very loosely because as every mother out there knows sometimes a day at home without the kids is more exhausting than running 5 kms with your hands tied behind your back and a backpack on!  We headed out to one of the local parks and I grab the pedometer as I ran out the door, clipped it on and away we go.  To the park, swings, sand, slides, bars... ok enough now, home time!  As I got in the car I went to check my running total but no pedometer.  I thought maybe I hadn't clipped it on in the rush this morning.  Oh well, will have to make up for it lately.  Kids buckled in, myself buckled in, radio on, reverse on, kids in the back yelling for coffee (they get hot choc at the drive through) and above all this hubbub as I reversed I heard a 'ccrrruunnnncccchhhhhh'...What was that?  Ooopppsss.  There's my pedometer!  ;)  Back to the shop tomorrow for a new one!
But to make up for that little downer for the day the highlight of my day was securing the Mining Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie as the venue for the walk on 29/30 January 2011.  Now that the venue is confirmed there's lots of work to get things done!  So... on to it!

As I sign off today I remind you that tomorrow (which will be today if I don't finish typing soon) is R U OK Day.  Check out the website.  It is up to us as a community of human beings to look out for our fellow man.

Love Kelly  xx

2 days of stepping.

I know, I know! I said I would post my steps every day but um... ah... no excuses.  Just slack!

Just in case you were waiting with baited breath:
10,834 and 11,234

Not sure what I was doing yesterday?  But I'll have to keep it up!

A few donations have come in which is so lovely.  You can click here to donate or click the link to the right of this page.

It's a beautiful sunshine filled day here.  Where ever you are today I hope your hearts are filled with love.  :)