It is dark, and I hear the laughter of Peer Support Specialists in the distance who are enjoying the evening. My leadership development training got good reviews. We were very active in exercises, evaluation tools, and discussion. And, I have lots of ideas about the future of leadership development, and, as usual, wish for a fully formed and resource rich program that offers continual coaching support to leaders. Well corporate CEO's have that, MH Consumers should have that also!
I continue to be impressed with the joy of the people at this conference. People who have found some different way of living their lives through this Recovery Movement. Some have become old friends. Some people have been coming to Higgins Lake for a number of years and know to bring their own lawn chair to sit comfortably on the front porch in the evening sharing stories of their lives, and ... laugh.
I met a woman today who survived 10 years in Ypsi State hospital and 4 years in Northville. She now sits on national committees and boards as a consumer representative. She is very wise and humbles me with a reference to the abuse she experienced while in the custody of the State.
And, like in any other learning group that goes on retreat, people here work hard and play hard. There are groups this evening singing kareoke (amazing how much better it sounds without the addition of beer) a group lead by a Native American woman talking story, a beach campfire, and a eurcher game that I found too late! Everywhere I walk into a group I am welcome. The experience of open arms and acceptance is a cultural norm within this group of people who report stories of not easily being understood or welcomed in their workplace.
Transforming a large mental health system does not come easily, but this group is determined, cheerful (while together) and maybe just smart enough to make it happen!
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