Date:  3rd November 2003

What has really changed: 30th April 2017?

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>

To: <michelle33@eircom.net>

Subject: Message posted

Date: Friday, December 12, 2003 9:23 AM

Michelle,

Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

 — Original Message —

Hi Martin

I am glad you wrote to irishhealth.com.  The Government is not in earnest.

I have written one lever arch file on Disability related matters.  I circulate copious amounts of emails/letters to ministers, the National Disability Authority, the Irish Association of Suicidologists, Amnesty and feel totally horrified by the inability of our so called representatives to interact in any way.

Trinity University Dublin, if I can restore my health, face my application to Equality and Law Reform for their total inability to grasp Mental Illness and Brain Damage, this has become my missioin in life. I submitted all medical reports from neuro-psychologist, psychiatrist, doctors, counsellors and many others, as requested by the Disabilities Department in Trinity.  Reports have been triplicated in some cases and made available to lecturers, and others concerned in an alternative to final exams..  If Academia cannot broaden the agenda in education, then how can we expect graduates who take posts in say the NDA, Amnesty, to engage in a realistic fashion with those they claim to represent.  Academia; the Government with the exception of say two ministers; media representatives etc. are perpetrating stigma and fear instead of inclusiveness.

A paper was written by a member of the legal profession, Mr Quinn ‘from Charity to Rights’  I wrote to congratulate him on his input and suggest several other pertinent areas.  It is now 5 letters later asking for a response – I got none.  In the end I included that the right to die might as well be added now given the inability of academics and others to comprehend, to have manners; and who quite evidently judge the person and the their endeavours as inadequate for inclusion in their academic paper.  Again no response.

I wrote to Dan Neville and Irish Association of Suicidologists.  Because I choose to be open to my life experiences, these supreme beings in society determine my invisibility.  This is about power relationships.

When can we as people become visible.  The advert about the homeless and their invisibility applies to a lot of people.

It is the bureaucracy that is perpetrating the ‘us and them’ or in the words so aptly described by Charles Murray, the emerging ‘Underclass’.

I strongly object.

There are organisations gaining kudos with booklets; publications etc. on mental health who hold in such disdain the ‘mentally ill’ being who does not fit their methodological concept as no doubt perpetrated by our eminent universities.  They can be defined and allocated to data but just don’t interact with them on the basis of equality.

I regard my entry to Trinity as that of a mutant – I have really enjoyed it there but challenge the clone version that must graduate.  I am bipolar with traumatic brain injury therefore my scope is expansive……I am tired being told that their system of making modifications is to make me focus on a narrow spectrum………mine goes beyond.

I left – I completed my 15 page essay ‘Can you say mental illness is a form of social deviance’….. I could not complete the other 4.  You see the content re-iterated my perspective, my consultants perspective and neuro-psychologists perspective.  The academic elites of Trinity College Dublin departments could not even understand.  For further information, my blog is as follows: https://canisgallicus.wordpress.com  Search Michelle Clarke and Trinity College Dublin.  https://canisgallicus.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/trinity-college-dublin-1997-to-2003-but-no-degree-by-michelle-clarke-2/

It is these people who advise Government…………..who represents who?

Ironically, I am a representative for the mentally ill on Trinity College National Flexi-plan programme.  This will lead to interesting outcomes if energy permits.

Quotations:

Bertrand Russell

‘Into every tiny scheme for arranging the pattern of human life, it is necessary to inject a certain dose of anarchism – enough to prevent immobility leading to decay, but not enough to bring about disruption’

(Skeptical Essays 1960’s)

Einstein

‘Prejudice is harder to split than an atom’

You can view your comment, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/discussion/message.html?dis=4&topic=3654

No 2

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>
To: <michelle33@eircom.net>
Subject: Message posted
Date: Wednesday, November 16th, 2003 8:39 AM

Michelle,
Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

As September approaches and as children return to school, it is time for parents, teachers, children themselves, to consider situations that may occur while at school, namely bullying.

I read an excellent article in the Irish Times last week by Louise Holden. An awareness education course is to be run in Rathmines, Dublin 6, about bullying. Declan Byrne based in Coolmine (by 2017) http://www.ait.ie/staff/declan-byrneCached is involved and has written on this topic. He has knowledge of bullying situations over 30 years. His stated objective is to ‘Deter bullies before they do the emotional damage’.

For all the attention they receive, remember bullies are in the minority group. However, parents need to prepare themselves to provide the children with coping strategies. They must empower their children. They must be aware and work in line with the teaching staff, the Board, the parents association.

Teachers need to be firm and make children aware about Tolerance and Respect. Teachers also need support from parents in this regard.

No child is born a bully, the behaviour develops. This relates to the early attempts of the child to assert his own control and the method he/she learns. If the child attains power, status and control by bullying other children, Byrne suggests that it takes a powerful argument to make the change.  This point is an interesting one and is worth reflection in relation to bullying and life in general:

PERCEPTION IS VITAL.

ONE CHILD’S BANTER IS ANOTHER CHILD’S BULLYING.

Remember:
A person is a person and the behaviour is the behaviour.

Avoid the age old comments Bullying will do harm, it will harden the child up or it is part of life.

It does not. It is up to people to stop it thriving – Bullying weakens the foundation of a civilised society.  It is also worth considering this: a bully is always backed up by another bully.

We have the knowledge; we have a changing society; children become adults and unchecked learned practices are taken from school; to the workplace; to their ability to identify those with say poor health and in vulnerable positions; to apply it to those institutions like the mentally ill; and those in care.

The one point people ought to consider is that now we live a lot longer and it becomes more likely that we will end up living in old People’s Homes and bullying applies across the people spectrum; when you are vulnerable and beholden, it is not easy to complain.

It is best to teach children to identify and cope young.

Some suggestions:
Role play bully coping strategy techniques with your child. There are plenty of books now about self-esteem and children.

Again, children are precious but to allow a child to victimise and bully is fair to nobody. It is worth thinking about the impact on their lives and others who they have bullied. Some children survive but then there are others and the consequences manifest at a future time and can be fatal.

I think an Ethics class needs to be added to school curriculum to form a general value system and educate children in a more empathetic way.

Michelle Clarke.

Quotation:

‘Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction’

E.F. Schumacher

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=1968

No 3

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>

To: <michelle33@eircom.net>

Subject: Message posted

Date: Monday, November 24, 2003 9:28 AM

Michelle,

Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Dr. Owens – Mental Health Commission http://www.mhcirl.ie promotes an increase in alcohol prices for Government Revenue purposes

Michelle quotes Nietzche – it is irrelevant he spent the end of his life in an asylum: his writings are inspiration.

‘He who has the reason why can deal with any how’

Time and time again I ask that people try to understand the pain other people experience through depression; life events; different personality types, to the competitive model of person/people who are deemed success in Ireland.

To increase the price of alcohol without considering that it is an easily accessible remedy rather than facing life head on; will only alter lifestyles further.  The diet will change to virtually nothing, alternative lifestyle pursuits will be cut back on and people will still resort to alcohol that gives an immediate high and a hellish low.  They will hide drink in their homes or buy it in the crate for their flats.

The next step is tough.  You must alter your life substantially.  You may lose those you think are your friends but at least they listen to your repetitive fears about life.

The approach must be take responsibility but this does not apply to just the human being.

I ask about academic institutions and people who return as mature students for example – how supportive are these environments?  How many people drop out as a percentage of mature/disability/disadvantaged in a year?  What are the linkages like?  Who takes you under their wing and directs you to the counselling service?

The same in employment.  Someone must take the issue in hand.  There must be a process that assists person on a new pilgrim path to adjusting to life with less alcohol or if an alcoholic to none.

In regard to the many victims of child sexual abuse claims, I am sure many of these people have sought comfort in alcohol.  I also know the issue of compensation awaits.  From my own journey, being bipolar, anxiety driven and brain damaged, I would not have survived without a “Staircase.”

I highly recommend the Department of Education when considering making allocations of funds to those abused, that they provide a “staircase” so that what was abysmal in their life can be matched by a challenge; a climb upwards.  You don’t need to reach the top.  I couldn’t.  However, I have had a psychologist for 4 years who was a powerful person in my life.  I had 2 hours a week with whom I regard as a mentor over the last year and all told now there may be a future.  I also had the privilege of being a student in Trinity College Dublin.

I believe our education system and health system could gain immensely from breaking down the ‘us them’ dimension in favour of consensus and shared experience which would be used as soon as possible in our society.  People need to be made aware that it is alright to be different.  There is enough room for us all in an inclusive world with experiences we have encountered that may suit others.

I am greatly concerned about the number of charitable organisations out there under the guise of representing vulnerable people. I think the idea in Europe about Inclusion on the basis of self-advocacy would be far more productive.  Most people I wrote to never replied.  It is either fear or lack of manpower and over indulgence in producing such excellent web-pages.

I have to take benzos.  I have reduced them considerably but let me tell Dr. Owen that I really really needed them.  Therefore just upping the tax to me is an immediate source of revenue to please the Government but to cause real pain to people who have no means of coping just yet and at Christmas is totally unacceptable.

I must add I have written numerous times to members of IAS (Irish Association of Suicidology) http://www.ias.ie – there is no reply.  I would say a far cry from Dr. Kelleher’s proactive position.

Michelle

Quotes: I live by.  In 1998 in real pain, I started collecting random quotes for inspiration.  They proved a loyal friend

‘You must be the change you want to see in the world’

Gandhi

‘Mistakes are the portals of discovery’

James Joyce

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5401

No 4

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>

To: <michelle33@eircom.net>

Subject: Message posted

Date: Thursday, November 20, 2003 8:56 AM

Michelle,

Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Dr.  Kennedy:  Social or Psychiatric

Central Mental Hospital.

Michelle is very glad to see this addressed.  I have acquired brain injury; bipolar; anxiety and am managing to live alone.  I know what my situation is.  Previously  I had full control.  I used deal currencies etc and manage accounts.  Over the decade of recovery, the more I focus on writing – the more I am totally losing a grasp of money. I need to trust and risk and hope.

This is critical.  Dr. Kennedy from the Central Mental Hospital stated the fact that most cases are social issues rather than pure psychiatric.  I think he spoke of those categorised as social being 80%.  I really agree with what he says.  Nobody takes account that medications cause confusion and people then are afraid because of the bureaucratic system of civil service to ask for more assistance.  NALA would be excellent to provide a programme.

Linkages are required.  People need to examine social problems a lot closer.  I used to be a secretary and am now afraid to go to a bank, fill in forms –  anything that has the potential to humiliate, I avoid.

Just think of what a friend said about Billy Connolly at the Bafta awards.  The analysis he had was that Billy thought sideways, either side, rather that go down straight to the queue.  This is a good description of what BIPOLAR is about.  I reckon if we all knew a little more and showed more compassion to others, we could learn a lot to speed us on our way to our ‘inclusive’ Ireland and I mean Island of Ireland.

Michelle

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5396

Quotation

Flying High

‘A forest bird never wants a cage’

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906)

No 5

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>

To: <michelle33@eircom.net>

Subject: Message posted

Date: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 8:56 AM

Michelle,

Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Vote: Smoking in public

I agree with both comments.  I will vote with irishhealth.com for no smoking in public.

The Joe Duffy show was most interesting today.  The whistleblower who was employed by a US tobacco company spoke openly about cigarette smoke being carcinogenic and en par with the damaging affects of Asbestos.

I recall traveling to work in London and seeing the large tower blocks with sheets hanging from the windows – seeking their demolition and stating that Asbestos was a killer.

I also lived in Zimbabwe.  I never quite put two and two together about tobacco and the two tier economy that existed.  Then one day I had visitors and I brought them to the Tobacco sales floor in Haarare – it was then I realised that this was America in Africa like in England when you have US airforce bases planted in wide open countryside.  This is about Power, commerce, cheap labour in Zimbabwe and other third world countries and funding regimes that do not comply with international conventions.

Each individual must take responsibility for their actions.  We seek an equitable situation for our fellow human beings surely.  If not, this should be an objective.  There is a lot of talk – is someone missing the obvious?

What about smoke detectors and the shrill noise they make if you let the food burn…….I would suggest if these were in pubs for example, the publicans could just leave it to other people who choose to frequent healthy environments to socialise.  Just a thought!

Back in 1992 – as I watched on a regular basis Zimbabwean men leave building sites so often funded by the World Bank and IMF, and I would secretly say to myself – O no; it is starting all over again – a cigarette indicates prosperity – just like it did in Ireland, UK, Europe a few decades ago.

Quote from Michelle

Petra Kelly – Green Politician in Germany

‘We cannot feast on global resources while the world’s poor struggle to survive on inhospitable lands.  It is as simple as that.  It is the rich who are making the world poorer.

ENVIRONMENT AND POVERTY ARE ONE CRISIS NOT TWO

You can view your comment, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/discussion/message.html?dis=4&topic=3453

No 6

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>

To: <michelle33@eircom.net>

Subject: Message posted

Date: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 8:57 AM

Michelle,

Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Pain Clinic

All three comments were most interesting.

The Pain Clinic in Tallaght sounds ideal.  I have come to the stage in my life that perhaps it is a little unrealistic for us to think that other people can feel our pain or empathise.  To handle someone else’s sickness now has become out of vogue in the detached society we live in and it is my humble opinion that people are no longer able to cope.  In fact, they fear the reflection i.e. it could be them and would they handle it as well as you.

Distraction techniques – to take the negative connotations that go with depression, including shopping, pandering to your needs and whims, can also be turned around another way.

Pace oneself is key.  It has taken ten years for me to fully accept this.  I fought it and made matters a lot worse.  It is not that people did not encourage me to pace myself but then there were others, particularly family, (who are in denial) and to be kind, unknown to themselves they impose a pressure on you to get back to the old you (the person before the traumatic brain injury with the complications of bipolar and anxiety.

Early words in Zimbabwe from two nuns check in several times a day now even though it is a decade since the accident.  They are Rest Restores.

The other distraction technique I have is that I go to say a coffee shop locally – and annotate the relevant points that interest me in the newspaper.  Then I might look at the social aspects or even political and follow some made up theme of my own.

I also (due to no concentration) make notes of TV programmes that interest me and then type them up.

This kind of distraction helps me.  It might be of benefit to another.

Regarding the ‘want to die’ – I dance this dance with bipolar depression.

I went to the National Disability Library – Clyde Road and located an article written by Professor Quinn – Law Faculty ‘From Charity to Rights’.

The issue ‘Right to die’ is not included in this Disability Bill presently under review.

Quote:  (Yes I have a lever arch file of quotations I identify with, based on my solitary existence)

‘All suffering prepares the soul for Vision’ 

Martin Buber – Jewish Theologian.

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5312

No 7

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>
To: <michelle33@eircom.net>
Subject: Message posted
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2003 12:41 AM

Michelle,
Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Liam and anonymous

I agree, we must ensure parental responsibility or else a system of delegated responsibility.

The Irish society have a humanitarian system in place but the evidence does not reflect it.

I will just cite one example. I lived in Zimbabwe. I helped out at a place called Mashambanzou http://mashambanzou.blogspot.com established by two nuns just 8 miles outside Harare.

In line with Martin Luther King’s famous quote ‘I had a dream’, Sr. Noreen Nolan and Sr. Margaret McAllen  had a dream.

The plight was HIV/Aids; their major concern were women and children; provisions; education and this included the prisons too.

Both Noreen and Margaret realised in the early 1990’s the needs of orphans. They looked to the culture that existed. Children whose parents died normally were deemed to have blighted spirits so other family members remained aloof from helping out.

Noreen and Margaret found a location in an impoverished area in Mbare; they engaged with the bureaucracy that left a building unoccupied for well over a year. They sought avenues; they were proactive.

A building became available and the Rotary Club undertook to make it into a day centre.

Yes: They looked to the culture and psychology. They encouraged people to stand apart from superstition and take orphaned children into their families. They were paid a small amount but the key point is that the Day centre provided respite for the minders and occupation for many children. This was established in Mbare in the 1990’s and initially they accepted 70 children. Without doubt, many more are catered for by now. The people concerned were ‘givers’.

Sometimes when I see a young person on the street – I feel like sitting down and asking how can I empower you to self sufficiency. Key to this is why have both the education system and the family structure failed to such a degree.

We need to seek out talents because we each have them. Why are people so afraid to give a little more time; effort; love; initiative to empower people.

Gandhi: ‘You have to be the change you want to see’. This is the quote I constantly use to empower myself on recovery from 10 years ‘bad luck’ health.

Each person is capable of doing something. Children and young people are precious.

Michelle

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5421

No 8

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>
To: <michelle33@eircom.net>
Subject: Message posted
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2003 12:40 AM

Michelle,
Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Michelle says hello.

Thyroid deficiency.

I take medication called Lithium and unaware to me this can cause thyroid deficiency.

I became quite debilitated over a number of months last year. There was a heavy weight sensation about my body and real exhaustion as well.

I went to my GP and he suggested a thyroid blood test. Yes I needed the drug to correct metabolism. I had to take the tablet for nearly two months before the effects were noticed.

The transformation is amazing. I take one tablet each morning. The ‘lead’ sensation of a weight placed on top of me,  is almost at bay.

It is necessary to ensure taking the Eltroxin each day because one day without you really notice.

The exhaustion and muscular pain are also gone.

I know it relates to iodine. I think iodine is found in seaweed but if you have the blood test and you need Eltroxin I would really advise taking it. It makes a real difference to your quality of life.

A quote:

G.K. Chesterton

‘Education is simply the soul as it passes from one generation to the other’

You can view your comment, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/discussion/message.html?dis=4&topic=3652

No 9

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>
To: <michelle33@eircom.net>
Subject: Message posted
Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:28 PM

Michelle,
Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Georg

Yes I am most aware of how children and vulnerable people become subject to abuse of a variety of kinds.

You cut to the chase. How do we as a society take responsibility? For the vulnerable there are no checks and balances. If one writes to Government departments, academics, etc. – they have not even the common decency to respond. If this is the case, how can we get reaction?

We are prone to sociological studies be they from the University Departments, ESRI, CORI etc.  I ask about the theme and linkages/interconnection (stop the silos) or is there a bureaucratic impasse to those who provide ‘PAPERS’ that endorse the writer and institution.

Homelessness is a long time in existence in Ireland, the UK, Europe – can we not do some ‘piggy backing’ research and cut to that chase. I suggest dealing with children is a priority and that education, curriculum changes and innovative thinking is URGENT.

Children are the future. A fair opportunity is the responsibility of the family and if they are not capable an ‘efficient’ state.

Questions need to be asked and ought to be answered. I have written a lever arch file on matters relating to social justice issues, particularly mental health and all I can conclude is that I am horrified at the audacity of bureaucracy to breach our constitutional right of checks and balances.

Again – how can we redress the situation?

Michelle in transition and trying to recover from ill-health – the bureaucracy needs to stop. It is time for people to take account of who they are and what they should contribute to society.

This quote is the basis of fear in our society – the one that it is basically about the Emperors New Clothes. It is time to strip the Emperor…….and it is time for caring and sharing.

‘The greatest kindness I have to offer you is always:
THE TRUTH’

The time is here to really ask what is going on at Tribunal Inquiry level.  Former politicians should not be allowed to make a mockery of the State – especially when we have a report that states 1,000 children are homeless in Ireland.

Quote: ‘What am I afraid to tell you who I am? Because if I tell you who I am, you may not like who I am…….and that is all that I have.

Fr John Powell

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5421

No 10

From: <editor@irishhealth.com>
To: <michelle33@eircom.net>
Subject: Message posted
Date: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 7:27 PM

Michelle,
Thank you for your comment, which has now been reviewed by the Editor and has been posted on the relevant site discussion area.

— Original Message —

Happy New Year – 2004:

I can well understand the Post Traumatic Stress you have suffered in the North of Ireland. The cause is only a small proportion of the effect.

The symptoms are common to all sufferers. What is a priority is the remedy and to best redress the matter?

Personally I am on anti-depressants, am bipolar, anxiety, and sustained brain damage from a horse riding accident, a broken marriage and a move from Zimbabwe to Ireland.

I can only share my source of remedies. The first step was a pre-university course, then a degree course which I could not complete due to health, reading, writing and quotes. At university I had the advantage of a Counsellor who was excellent.

Being inquisitive, I constantly seek an answer for me but also for others so this creates a linkage to say AWARE via the net, to GROW, to Mental Health Association, Headway, Acquired Brain Injury, et al.

During the first few years, I monthly attended lectures at Aware http://www.aware.ie/help/education/aware-monthly-lectures aimed at trying to get the patient and family to understand the nature of the illness. One lecturer but I can’t remember his name focused on the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and he was excellent. Tony Bates also writes some excellent short books.  I recommend Common Sense Depression.

People will constantly brush off your comments in a dismissive sort of way – don’t heed them. They are in denial about something in their own lives and cannot take your situation on board. Remain confident that you are on a pilgrim path that will take you to freedom.

Well done for moving. It is so hard to explain to anyone what it feels like to be under scrutiny.

Happy New Year 2004

Michelle

Quote:  “Why I am afraid to tell you who I am
(Jesuit priest John Powell – Theologian, Psychologist, Sociologist).

I would also suggest a retreat. I go to Fr. Michael Rogers in Glendalough http://www.tearmann.ie and it is a cleansing experience.

You can view the article, along with all comments, by clicking the following link:

http://www.irishhealth.com/index.html?level=4&id=5461

No 11