And that’s when everything began to go dark.
Beset by chronic pain, Phillip soon found himself battling the crippling effects of clinical depression. He suffered for years, even attempting suicide before he found his way out of the darkness at last.
Told in their own voices, this is the true story of a couple who endured the ravages of clinical depression together, and emerged stronger and more in love than before. It is the story of Phillip, whose family had a history of the illness, and of Emme, who put her blossoming career on hold to care for him and remained by his side even when their world seemed to be falling apart.
But most of all, it is a story of hope for those who suffer from clinical depression, as well as for their loved ones. For in the darkest of days, Emme and Phillip found that even the smallest amount of light can illuminate the road to recovery-and the joy in life.
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19 February 2007
Jumping Rope Again!
Yesterday was the first day I jumped rope in over a year due to an ankle injury of July 10, 2006. I crashed a Vespa Motor Scooter and wound up breaking my ankle pretty badly. I wound up having a bone graph, plate, seven screws and two pins. Then I contracted an infection which got so bad I almost lost my leg and was on crutches for over eight months. So, here I am, jumping rope and as the rope is swishing underneath my feet I thought how lucky I am to be able to use my ankle. But more so, I reflected on my almost 3 year depression and how I used to think about using my jump rope to hang myself! Now, I'm using my jump rope to increase my stamina, strength, balance and hand and eye coordination. Next Month I'll be teaching a jump rope class at two local gyms. I downloaded some great 80's Rocking'&Roll and I'm ready to jump again! It's interesting how we can take things for granted. We never really miss something until we don't have it. Well, I have my leg and I'm thankful that it's functioning to it's potential!
11 February 2007
Lessons come in small packages
Tonight I attended my daughter's talent show. Our daughter is 5 1/2, is full of energy and is pushing hard to reach her teens! Anyway, she wanted to write a song. I helped her with the music and she came up with all the lyrics. I felt she did a wonderful job. The song was a beautiful song. But, more important than the song and it's content was that she decided what to do and how to do it. I must admit, many times I try to control a situation but, for who's sake? Mine of course. So many of us worry about what other people are going to think that we don't enjoy the moment. It doesn't matter what anyone one thinks. What really matters is that your child is having a good time and is growing from the experience. I'm so lucky to have a daughter that teaches me everyday.
22 March 2007
Phil testifies at a U.S. Congress Field Hearing on Parity for Mental and Addictive Disorders March 16, 2007
Columbia University Medical Center...
Opening Remarks:
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D_NY) Chair of the hearing
What Does Science Tell us About Mental and Addictive Disorders?
Jeff Lieberman, MD Chairman, Department of Psychiatry Columbia University Medical Center, and Director, New York State Psychiatric Institute
Herbert Kleber, MD Director, Division of Substance Abuse, Columbia University Medical Center
Timothy's Law: Parity in New York State
Tom O'Clair, Chairman
Shelly Nortz, Deputy Director of Policy, Coalition for the Homeless
Kim Spicciate, Family
Impact on Families
Thom & Dierdre Forbes Family
Cynthia Kolbowski, MSW Washington Heights
Jonathan Pastor, PHD Washington Heights
Phillip Aronson, Consumer and Author
Access To Treatment
Doug Tieman, President and CEO, Caron Treatment Centers
Ralph Aquila MD, Medical Director, Fountain House
Bob Scholer, Member
Phil Saperia, Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, NYC
Richard Juman, PHD, NY Psychological Association
05 March 2007
Fair and Equitable Coverage for Health Care
I am about to connect with Congressmen Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island about his efforts to reintroduce federal legislation in March aimed at ensuring that health plans offer fair an equitable coverage. The bill entitled The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, is named after the late Senator Paul Wellstone who championed the cause. This bill would require health plans to offer benefits for mental health and addiction on the same terms as care for other diseases. When passed...notice I say when passed and not "if" passed, it will regulate health care and insurance plans so they will no longer be able to charge higher co-payments, deductibles, or out of pocket expenses etc. This bill will also change the coverage with regard to hospital and treatment center visits.
This is wonderful! I am so looking forward to meeting Congressmen Kennedy to see how I can help champion this cause. If we don't speak up, no one will hear us!
11 February 2007
The Arcadia Book Store
The Arcadia Coffee Shop in Old Greenwich is so quaint and is where Emme
and I had a book signing on The 23rd of January. It's adjacent to the book
store "Just Books Too". We had a much smaller crowd than I had hoped as we
were in competition with The President's State of the Union.
Anyway, there were 25 or so people and I'm willing to talk
to anyone that is willing to listen about depression/suicide prevention and awareness. I am committed to helping
as many people I can to understand that depression is not a sign of
weakness and that it's nothing to be ashamed of. Depression is a disease and if not treated properly, can lead to suicide.
Unfortunately, I know first hand but, luckily I made it to the other side.
"This book can help those directly and indirectly touched by depression. It is not only for the survivors but also for their family, friends and loved ones."
Montel Williams
Testimonials
"I was so inspired by this story of love, courage, and steadfastness which came shining through the struggle of Emme and Phil and their family. Clinical depression is such an insidious, potentially life-threatening illness, and Emme's and Phil's courageous and honest willingness to share their story can help and encourage many millions of couples and families. It is an astonishingly candid and clear description of the suffering felt by both people when depression is present in a relationship. They persevered through many different treatments and allow us to feel not only their moments of despair and anguish, but more important their hope, joy, and love for each other. This is a story of triumph of the human spirit, and it is an illuminating window into the reality of day-to-day dealing with the illness that is depression."
Tipper Gore
"Feeling alone, overwhelmed, and hopeless, depression has the capacity for seemingly snatching up your very life. Emme and Phil were partners in this dark, frightening world, but courageously they managed to return to the light. Theirs was a journey through the very portals of hell, one that ultimately affirms something that anyone who struggles with depression needs to know—depression isn’t a dead end. It just feels that way. This couple’s story is one of pain, power, perseverance and love. This is truly a story of hope."
Dr. Joseph J. Luciani
Author, Self Coaching: How to Heal Anxiety and Depression
AOL Coaches
Emme and Phil are contributors to the AOL® Coaches program. Click here to find out more.