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August 13, 2011
Ice Cream Social in Austin Wednesday!
July 17, 2011
The Best Kept Secret...
Do you remember when you first heard about AIDS? No one really knew enough about it to understand the difference between HIV and AIDS or realize that you can’t contract it through casual contact? There was little research, little education, little funding, and the thought of AIDS meant a death sentence. People made rude comments about the disease. Having the disease was the punch line to jokes. It was acceptable to associate AIDS to the homosexual community. In fact, it was even acceptable to assume one homosexual if they were diagnosed positive.
Do you recall the time in American history when cancer was something we didn’t talk about when someone was diagnosed? Or even, perhaps, a time when the use of racial slurs was completely accepted in the workplace and schools?
What is the reason that has changed? It appears to me to have changed through education and action. Communities of people impacted by the discrimination and stigma rose up and took a stand. They insisted it not be okay to speak with derogatory words. They decided that instead of living in stigma they would insist that the world be educated.
The American Medical Association made the decision to classify behavioral health diagnoses diseases and long before that groups of people were seeking refuge from what they knew had to be more than a choice. So, what is the reason are we still in hiding? Why do people who are in recovery or people educated to treat those with behavioral health diagnoses remain silent? What is causing us to allow the discrimination and stigma to go on?
I have heard some say it is in the traditions of some recovery programs to remain anonymous. The way I read those traditions say it is only inappropriate to mention the particular program. There is no literature saying a person in recovery cannot tell others they are in recovery. This may cause someone to question the reason they would put themselves at risk of being looked down upon for openly saying they are recovering. I assume people with HIV or AIDS, with cancer, with disabilities, or in minority groups, in the past might have felt the same way. What if they had decided to allow the discrimination to go on and not speak out against it through the truth?
Still recovery remains the best kept secret! People in recovery are looked upon as people still struggling to remain sober, clean or not impacted daily with their mental health issues. But, that isn’t the case. People in recovery are productive workers, well -educated, good parents, our neighbors, our friends, our classmates, our teachers, our therapists. What if we stood up together, as people in recovery, those who work in the behavioral health field, and those who love and support people in recovery instead of living in silence and allowing the discrimination to go on?
When is the last time you heard or used pejorative words to describe people in recovery? I daily hear on TV, radio, and in casual conversations people calling others “crazy”. Even people in recovery call themselves or others “drunks”. How will we move past the stigma if we don’t stop doing it ourselves? Recovery from chemical dependency doesn’t mean you are a “drunk” and addressing your mental health issues doesn’t mean you are “crazy”. If people in recovery and those who understand by supporting people in recovery aren’t the voices that rise up, who will?
I invite you to stand with me at The Big Texas Rally for Recovery in Austin Texas on the South Steps of the State Capitol on October 1, 2011 beginning at 4:00 PM to let people see how recovery from addiction and mental health issues really looks. Beginning at 4:00 PM Thomas, “Hollywood” Henderson will share his personal story of recovery. That will be followed by The Jimi Lee band, a local Austin favorite, led by a man in recovery. This will all be emceed and broadcast by Neil Scott, from Recovery Coast to Coast radio.
Will you help END THE STIGMA?
July 02, 2011
From TAAP
| Featured Board TAAP Member.....
Paula Heller-Garland, MS, LCDC  Paula's experience in the addiction recovery field spans close to 20 years in a full spectrum of responsibilities including direct client care, program/curriculum development and management in multiple treatment mileaus.
A natural educator, Paula spent seven years training chemical dependency students, is an international lead trainer with NAADAC (National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors) and currently organizes and delivers educational events, workshops and conferences throughout the country.
She is a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, has a Master's degree in Addiction Counseling, and is currently pursuing her doctorate. Paula is the Program Coordinator for the Big Texas Rally for Recovery in Austin on October 1, and an active member of Texas Recovers. When she isn't in Austin, she is in Dallas with her wonderful son.
512.560.9609 |
June 27, 2011
Decisions, Decisions....
While working this morning I tuned the TV into Joyce Meyer, a Christian minister. Apparently, I was supposed to hear that message. I generally don’t have the television on while working. Lo and behold! She began speaking about something a friend and I were talking about just this weekend. Decisions.
I had an epiphany this weekend. And realized I had actually been working up to it for several weeks. In the past I have made many decisions based on emotion. And that doesn’t bode well for me. Many decisions have been in order to keep from feeling pain. Unfortunately, in the long run I feel more pain; stay stuck; become resentful; and miss opportunities to grow.
It occurred to me over lunch in a conversation that in the past I would get angry with people who made decisions I found “heartless”. I recalled that I would often say to myself, “how can someone who says they care about you hurt you”? I realized that sometimes, even when you do care about someone, the best decision is to move forward….even if that means without them.
I am the only one who truly knows what is right for me. And I have people I turn to and trust who help me stay accountable for what that is. (I don’t go it alone in my big dark head)! Hmm…so even when it might hurt, I will likely better be served to make decisions based on fact. Leaving a relationship that no longer works, leaving a job (even a career) that no longer serves you, or moving to another city…..decisions we all face…..while they involve emotion, I have to ask myself, “who am I living for”?
Hopefully me and my God!
June 22, 2011
Checked Baggage
I was fifteen years old the first time I said to my mom, “I think I am going crazy”. That resulted in my beginning a self-introspective journey. Someone recommended a therapist that worked well with kids. I went.
I am ready to begin living.
In the course of becoming whole I was able to identify issues and areas that needed to be examined. A great deal of those problems sprung from low self-worth. I pinned it on being chubby and Chubby became a great excuse. Chubby and I became buddies – partners in crime. Not only was she a sympathetic companion but a place to lay blame.
I found many other “issues” to manifest and comfort myself as I moved through life. Chubby and I would fight, I would ex-communicate her for periods of time but invite her back and embrace her as we cried over a pan of brownies.
Today must be the first time I truly understand Chubby. I realize what I needed protection from and how rational it actually was that I developed my comrade. Today, as I live in the now, I recognize – not just in theory, that baggage has no place in my today.
As a clinician, I still hold fast to my favorite counseling theory, Cognitive Behavioral. I do believe our past shapes us (and very non-clinically, I interject) it will bite me in the butt IF I remain unconcious of it. Sure we all have issues! Don’t pretend I am the only one…..
I have recently discovered – nix the word discovered, I’ve known it in my head a long time! – I have recently begun to live at the height of awareness of the impact of my behavior today. When I’ve remained unconcious of my actions and simply said, “oh, there go my issues again” I have taken no responsibility. Sarcasm has been a favorite of my deeds. Easily, when hurt, I pop off something rather witty, but usually cutting and spiteful. Then say, “oh, I was just joking”! But the person I am aiming for is harmed nonetheless. I am responsible for that. You know the old saying: HURT PEOPLE, HURT PEOPLE!
Happy travels….no baggage to check!
June 20, 2011
TAAP State Conference
We hope you will plan to join us for the Thirty-Seventh Annual State TAAP Conference on Addiction Studies, "The Age of Recovery: Let the Sunshine In!" Pull out your bell bottoms and tie-dye and meet us in San Antonio for this unforgettable conference.
July 28-30, 2011
Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade
Featuring:
25.5 CEUs
Workshop Sessions on
Ethics, Clinical Supervision, HIV/STD,
Prevention and Criminal Justice, plus many more!
Age of Recovery Dance
Polly Parsons
Daughter of legendary 60s singer-songwriter Gram Parsons, formerly of the band The Byrds, shares her father's story ranging fromHarvard University student, featured artist at Woodstock, and one of Rolling Stones' Top 100 Influential Artists, to his addiction and untimely and tragic overdose at the age of 26.
Sponsored by Hickory Wind Ranch
Candy Finnigan, BRI II
Board Certified Interventionist and star of the award winning A&E show Intervention.
Sponsored by Origins Recovery, LLC
Robert Weiss, LCSW, CSAT-S
Founding Director of The Sexual Recovery Institute - Los Angeles, an outpatient sexual addiction treatment center, and accomplished author of several books on sexual addiction.
Sponsored by Elements Behavioral Health
Keynote Panel: There is More Than One Way To Advocate
Paula Heller-Garland, Texas Recovers!, Mimi Martinez McKay, Chief of Staff, Legislative Liaison, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, TXDept. of State Health Services, Cynthia Humphrey, Association of Substance Abuse Programs, Joe Powell, Association of Persons Affected by Addiction
Sponsored by Summer Sky
First Annual Community Health Fair
-Designed especially for the regional clinician & vendors
-Ancillary support services for client referrals
-Holistic Medicine, yoga & massage therapy
-New Age Spirituality, acupuncture, 12 step alternatives
-Dozens of vendors, giveaways & demonstrations
-Food, music and networking
Visit www.taap.org for pricing and registration. Register by June 27thto receive early bird discount rates!
TAAP
1005 Congress Ave., Ste. 460
Austin, TX 78701
Gratitude
Today I am filled with gratitude. Even though things didn't work out in my marriage, my son has an incredible father.
Focusing on what I have, instead of what I don't.
Prayer
I received this via email and wanted to pass it along to those of you who pray!
Please say this prayer, keeping in mind that over 1 million acres of Texas has burned up taking hundreds of people’s homes and several lives in the last 2-3 weeks. So far, we have been blessed in some parts of Texas but it is dry as a bone here and would only take 1 spark to set it off. Please say this daily and believe that God will Bless Texas.
This prayer was written in the1950's during an awful drought in Texas. The prayer was written by Father W. Schneider of St. Marys in Fredericksburg, who also ministered at St. Francis Church in Stonewall. It has gone all over the world.
This prayer was written in the1950's during an awful drought in Texas. The prayer was written by Father W. Schneider of St. Marys in Fredericksburg, who also ministered at St. Francis Church in Stonewall. It has gone all over the world.
A Prayer For Rain
Almighty God, we are in need of rain.
We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky above,
what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is.
To think that so much water can fall out of the sky,
which now is empty and clear!
We place our trust in You.
We are sure that You know our needs,
but You want us to ask You anyway,
to show You that we know we are dependent on You.
Look on our dry hills and fields, dear God, and
bless them with the living blessing of soft rain.
Then the land will rejoice and the rivers will sing
Your praises and the hearts of men will be glad.
AMEN.
June 19, 2011
Father's Day
Father's Day of 1993 was the last my father was here. It seems like such a log time ago but his memory is big. It was only becoming an adult then. And at times I regret not having the opportunity to have had an adult relationship with him. The last time I saw him, even though I'd already been working as a professional for a year, he hugged me and gave me gas money. He always took care of me.
Being a helper was something that came naturally for him. I remember him for his strength. He was a very manly man. He embodied everything I saw as masculine. He worked for the railroad, farmed, hunted, fished, boated and provided for his family.
But he also showed love and a gentleness when needed. Anytime I hurt I know he wanted to fix it. He was a great dad. I just wanted to remember him out loud today.
Happy Father's Day daddy.
June 17, 2011
Words of Wisdom for Women
Wanted to share one of those incredible finds of mine.....from buying a used book.
Words of Wisdom for Women by Rachel Snyder
Ache
"Feel deep down inside the pain of missing someone or something so badly it hurts. Notice the empty spaces around your heart that need filling. Tune into other aches in your body. When your belly burns with a red-hot fire, pay attention. What is the true source of your ache? What are you trying to digest that's too large, too hot, too unfamiliar to handle? Ache for the friend who died of AIDS too early. Ache for the mothering you never received, the love you had and then lost, the love you never had at all. Ache to be held, to be touched, to be adored. Ache for the sad woman down the block, the frightened child upstairs, the grieving parents around the corner. Let your heart ache and break and ache again---until it grows stronger and more able to open with ease".
....embracing all feelings...
June 15, 2011
CEU's
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June 14, 2011
Closure
Instead of a family event my "shoulds" tell me I "shoulda" gone to this weekend, I went to the beach.
It had been several weeks and not a day passed that I hadn't thought of that twelve year old boy who drown the last time I was there.
This trip was about closure for me. It needed to happen.
And I was grateful when I arrived at the beach. I thought I might have been in the wrong place because things looked differently.
As I approached the end of the paved road there was a warning sign about rip tides. It had not been there before. And there was a lifeguard stand with lifeguards....and another, and another...with caution flags warning of the level of waves.
It is still sad that a life was taken, no doubt. But it feels like it wasn't in vain.
And the water sounded a little less harsh as I breathed in the ocean.
June 07, 2011
Texas Recovers
I am very excited about the organization I am contracting with currently to organize the first ever state-wide rally for recovery. Too many people still believe addiction and mental health issues are simply bad behaviors, choices, or moral failure. Those of us who know and understand it is really a brain disease are coming together to speak up. It is time that we END THE STIGMA.
If a diabetic ate too much cake they would still be treated in the ER. And they would not be incarcerated or looked down on by society for their disease.
Take a look at the website for more information.
www.texasrecovers.org
June 02, 2011
Music Therapy 101
Music has been part of my life from day one. On the counter in the kitchen of the house in Heidenheimer, where I grew up, sat a black radio tuned to KASE 101. That was a country radio station out of Austin. Maybe that contributes to the stories I hear through music. Looking through the Billboard Top 100 from the year I was born, it was more difficult to find a song I didn’t love than my favorite….but I think I narrowed it a little:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RfGe6MvY84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bhrVXStJIM
And possibly my favorite of all….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PECk9A-07Pw
Songs can take me back. Often when I hear a song I go to that, “I remember when…” place in my mind…..and I enjoy it!
And there are so many more years to cover.
May 30, 2011
Smiling Now
I have never lived more in the now than now.
And amazingly I find myself smiling more.
The challenge to stay positive
And continue to look at the bright side
Of every event and circumstance .
This is something that
In theory
I have understood before
But am finally doing this literally.
What a difference.
The now is beautiful.
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