This is not quite as far-fetched as it sounds. Indeed, people will tell me, Do it, Ruth. Do it. But before I discuss my idea, lemme back track to the Led Zeppelin film where the group's fantasies were photographed in lyrical color reminiscent of the Swedish movie Elvira Madigan. One of their fantasies featured a motorcade for the Brits' triumphant entrance from their own airplane, which they had, into a motorcade w/police escort to Madison Square Garden.
It was lovely! Sirens whirling.
The NY Times is always looking for ideas from its readers. They have quite an extensive collection of health articles including 9 stories by bipolar folks. I loaded it on my website of course. I can't seem to shake my involvement in the bipolar world even tho I'm symptom-free.
If I could get some psychiatrists on my side other than Pam London-Barrett I'd write the NY Times and tell them that bipolar disorder often disappears in our late fifties. This is truly amazing news. People should be aware of it and who better than the Times to promulgate this new awareness. Now of course not everyone recovers. But enough people do to make it an item of supreme interest. It is always helpful for some of our newly diagnosed people to aspire to be med-free some day, albeit when they're old and crotchety like me.
New ideas are not in the purview of the average mind. Therefore I would have to marshal an enormous army of experts. What benefit would it offer them? None that I can think of. Few people are interested in the scientific truth from all perspectives. Most see thru a narrow lens, whatever their specialty.
Also on our New Directions website I highlighted an article from Time Mag called preventing mental illness. You simply spot children and teens who are having problems and give them the help they need. Some states have already enacted programs to that effect.
I proposed teaching classes to every diagnosed person with bipolar disorder. What could be simpler? They do it for diabetes. The insurance pays for it. I proposed it to the heads of our local counties several times who filed my requests in their dumpsters and I didn't stop there. I contacted major insurance companies and local hospitals.
I'm telling you all this to show the lack of influence of an ordinary citizen who may have the ideas of a genius but if she isn't taken seriously, she is building sand castles in the sky.
I suppose I could apply for a Pew Grant. You need a staff of a hundred to fill out their forms.
I may just take up the guitar. The library is offering free classes. I took lessons in Cleveland, Ohio, when I was 16. The famous Dick Lurie was my teacher. I could never find time to practice. I was too busy playing tennis and fantasizing about Andrew Inglis, Dwight Johnson, and Richard Mears.
May I be forgiven for having major fantasies about my newly discovered guitar prowess?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment