Family in tune on fight against mental illness | The Columbus D...

bravo to this family i know that dealing with mental illness is struggle my wife and i will have been married 25 years december 1st 2 months after we were married my wifes illness showed up several hospital stays inciulding one in a state hospital looking for the right medication almost took its toll on both of us during this time i contacted nami family education program helped me to cope that i didnt cause this disease family turned on us out of fear yes it can be a lonely walk but one thing i did was pray that there would be recovery now my is doing good now she also went through breast cancer 15 years clean NAMI WHEN EVER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WAS RIGHT THERE FOR BOTH OF US MARY K PIERCE OF RICHLAND COUNTYOHIO NAMI HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO HELP FAMILYS AND TO REMOVE THE STIGMA

What a great story. Mental illness has touched my family as well. Thank God we have a wonderful Dr who has managed my husband's medications well. He has bi-polar disorder and is doing well, but it is something we deal with every day. Education is the key to everything, but when we told some family members, they seemed understanding,(how could they be when we don't quite understand it even now?) but that's the last mention of it. They never ask how he's doing, ever. It doesn't exist in their world. That makes mental illness very lonely for the patient and spouse. That's where good friends come in to play.

Glad this family stuck together and are breaking down walls for mental illness. God bless you all!

God help us if this is a sucess story.

He is on social security disability, getting "free" (for him) medicade and numerous other subsidies.

If the person isn't feeding and housing themselves could we not call it a sucess?

Two college degrees and does volunteer work- no paid, taxpaying employment. What a sucess!

Thank you, Greg and Susie.

Amber, if you've ever known someone with a serious mental illness, you would understand why my brother's story is one of success. How many people with a serious mental illness do you know who spend each and every minute of their day trying to help others who suffer from a serious mental illness? He may be on disability, but he fills the roles of health professionals which are in short supply by counseling others who are trying to recover. But, unless you or a loved one has a family member with a serious mental illness, you wouldn't understand. Perhaps you'd prefer he be off his medications, be "crazy" and be in our jails or prisons, where you could pay for his care there.
Paul Quinn

Pat did have a paid job at a mental health center until the recent pay cuts a couple of months ago eliminated his job. Currently, he volunteers there without pay.

All I will say is that there are not that many people who truely make a difference in the world. When we are fortunate enough to find an entire family that makes a difference, I am glad to see papers like the Dispatch take time and valuable page space to recognize them.

The Quinn Family is an Awesome and Caring Family who knew how to step up and support their brother despite the turmoil that mental illness brings. I've heard them sing and play - and they are Terrific!!!

Dear Quinn Family,
You probably don't remember me, but we have met several times at conferences in Columbus and at the opening of the new hospital in Cambridge and other places.
I am so proud of what you have done as a family and as individuals to promote NAMI and support those who suffer mental illness.
My husband and I are currently teaching our 2nd Family to Family course and I believe it continues to help us as much as the family members who attend.
I hope you don't mind if I share this story with the class. I love to share the personal stories, especially of people like you that I actually know.
God Bless
Dell Nicholas
NAMI Washington county

Congratulations to the Quinn family for recognizing that Pat's illness is no more shameful than being diagnosed with diabetes or heart problems. All three require medication, therapy and understanding. Education brings about awareness, and awareness is education that helps to remove the barriers of stigma associated with mental disorders. With treatment, understanding and support those diagnosed with a mental disorder
Thanks to the Dispatch for carrying the story. While it is a heartfelt story it is one that we need to hear more of.

it has been a true honor to grow up with the quinns they are a true all american family

An important thing to understand is that Pat WANTS to lead a normal life, ie get a job, get married, have a family, but this devastating disease has taken that dream from him.

Thank you for the words of support and encouragement. We do all that we can to help those in need. It's been a difficult road. I appreciate those of you who have made such kind remarks.

Having lived with a schizophrenic in our family for 20 years, yes, AmberDru, I can tell you that the Quinn's family story IS a success. We are not so fortunate. As a family of "fixers" we couldn't fix our situation and it took a great emotional toll on all of us. Unfortunately, the mentally ill cannot be forced into treatment unless they are harmful to themselves or others. As a result, my nephew's life consists of short stints in mental hospitals, homelessness, jail & shelters, and, as hard as we tried, we couldn't get my nephew to stay on his medications and away from alcohol. His schizophrenia began severe, has grown worse in the last 20 years & has a very dark side. We finally had to let go for all of our sanity & safety. We were so grateful each time (even if briefly) we were able to help get him stabilized... He began as an outstanding basketball player, incredible golfer, voted "best dressed" in high school, college grad & had great business talent. I hope that you never have to experience this with someone close to you AmberDru... it's a painful and helpless feeling.

Wow! Thank you all for sharing your stories. We are not alone.

AmberDru wrote:

God help us if this is a sucess story.
He is on social security disability, getting "free" (for him) medicade and numerous other subsidies.
If the person isn't feeding and housing themselves could we not call it a sucess?
Two college degrees and does volunteer work- no paid, taxpaying employment. What a sucess!

Perhaps you don't know what failure looks like. Take a walk down by the river and see who's sleeping under the bridges. Consider the number of persons with mental illness whose disease has been cross-pollenated by addiction when they self-medicate to flee the voices, or the paranoia, or the social ostracism.

Sure, we all hope for more--but you have to be aware of just how tough it is find the right diagnosis and balance of medication. Then consider how difficult it is to overcome the consequences of the symptoms--the neighbors who stay away, gaps in schooling or education when the disease made these things unsustainable. And be aware that out on the streets are folks who are too ill and poorly supported to even manage something that you believe is as simple as receiving a public support check or making it to treatment appointments or taking medication regularly.

AmberDru wrote:

God help us if this is a sucess story.
He is on social security disability, getting "free" (for him) medicade and numerous other subsidies.
If the person isn't feeding and housing themselves could we not call it a sucess?
Two college degrees and does volunteer work- no paid, taxpaying employment. What a sucess!

You are applying success by your definition and experience of success. This man has no control over whether he has this disease. And yes, it is a disease. Success is not just material or financial. Success for this man is that he WAS able to confront the disease, function normally in society, and use his few assets (his seemingly remarkably high intelligence)--two college degrees isn't an accomplishment to sniff at. I'll bet a dime he spells much better than you do!
Wonderful story.

AmberDru's comments simply show that there is still a stigma associated with mental illness. Mr. Quinn's story is an inspiration.

Reader wrote:

<quoted text>
Perhaps you don't know what failure looks like. Take a walk down by the river and see who's sleeping under the bridges. Consider the number of persons with mental illness whose disease has been cross-pollenated by addiction when they self-medicate to flee the voices, or the paranoia, or the social ostracism.
Sure, we all hope for more--but you have to be aware of just how tough it is find the right diagnosis and balance of medication. Then consider how difficult it is to overcome the consequences of the symptoms--the neighbors who stay away, gaps in schooling or education when the disease made these things unsustainable. And be aware that out on the streets are folks who are too ill and poorly supported to even manage something that you believe is as simple as receiving a public support check or making it to treatment appointments or taking medication regularly.

Thanks, Reader. Couldn't have said it better. A schizophrenic's reality is not something you can reason with or talk them out of. Skipping or discontinuing medication is common because of the really negative side-effects. Give the schizophrenic a few days off of his medication and he/she will no longer understand the need for their medication. Often the schizophrenic is diagnosed with a combination of other problems such as manic depression, paranoia or bi-polar making the medications really difficult to determine. It's often a trial and error, tweaking of the dosages to even get close to the right combination and even then, given time, the drug may lose its effectivness - and then you start from scratch. Each time a schizophrenic slips badly, he never quite comes back as good as he was before the slip. Give it enough times and it's next to impossible to really help him. I'm glad this family got it while he was still young. Sometimes it doesn't show up until the 30's. The incredible amount of money that is spent working with this disease is phenomenal... and Amber, the cost of the schizophrenic on the street and the problems it raises far exceeds the amount that they might get from a social security check.

What an amazing family and inspirational story. So many people with illnesses like Pat are not nearly as fortunate to have such great support from family or anyone. The loving care from the entire Quinn family and the strength and perseverance of Pat are a wonderful example and blueprint for anyone faced with such a challenge.

Congratulations to the Quinn family and thank you to Alan Johnson and the Dispatch for blessing readers with this great piece.

The Quins family rocks!