I just finished reading an awesome call to action by Katherine Stone.
You can read it here. She speaks out about the opposition who has taken the stance that the Pharma industry is behind the MOTHER’S Act – it MUST be stopped by all means necessary.
Read the essay. Then keep checking back here and at Katherine’s blog, Postpartum Progress. We’ve got something cookin’ and we think you’re gonna like it. Details will be released soon.
Dear Readers,
I’ve been toying with the idea of an overhaul for the blog.
Over the next couple of months I’ll be making some changes. The biggest planned change will be a brand new Resources & Links Page. I’ll be getting rid of the blog roll to the side and creating individual pages to allow for more focus on content.
I’ll also be introducing a Reading Room where I’ll be linking to relevant books about PPD for Moms, Dads, and Professionals.
I’d also like to have a MomChat Room linked as well to provide a community for women who find this blog. (That may be further down the road than any of the other changes)
I know I haven’t been great about the Grace Awards. Forgive me. I plan to keep up with that too. A Blog Features Page will provide links to both the Grace Awards and the PPD Misnomer Page.
The look will be changing too. Time to clean it up around here and get professional. I started the blog to cope with an unexpected pregnancy but it’s changing to more of a journalistic style blog with a personal twist tossed in for good measure.
Thanks for following me this far. I look forward to new journeys with all of you very soon!
Warmest,
Lauren
Here is a letter from Mary Jo Codey supporting the MOTHER’S Act. Susan Stone published this at her blog and you can read the complete post here.
Dear Supporters,
In 2004, when my husband was appointed acting governor for the state of New Jersey, I didn’t have to talk my husband into introducing legislation that would not only help women, but save the lives of women , babies and families suffering with this unforgiving illness called postpartum depression. Richard lived the pain with me. He saw the destruction this illness caused the entire family.
The Melanie Blocker Stokes MOTHERS ACT will ensure that ALL women and their families are educated about postpartum depression. It would also provide research into the causes, diagnoses and treatments for postpartum depression. This bill will tell ALL women that they no longer have to suffer in shame or silence if they are confronted with feelings of depression during and after the birth of their newborn.
Now is the time to join me and help pass this critical legislation. Please show your support and sensitivity towards an issue that is so dear to my heart by adding your name today.
Warmly,
Mary Jo Codey
Former First Lady, State of New Jersey
Please endorse this critical legislation by sending an email to susanstonelcsw@aol.com with your name, state and any credentials or affiliations you have. The list will be sent to every Senator the week of MOTHERS Day.
Over at Pearls from Africa, Melissa bravely opens up about her experience with Post Adoption Depression. She’s an adoption advocate who wants to be honest about all aspects of her experience.
Here’s a brief teaser:
I still experienced a prolonged period of “post adoption depression.” This often ignored, and not spoken of, aspect of adoption hit me fairly hard. I don’t know what makes some people more prone to this than others, but it is a very real aspect of adoption. Just like postpartum depression is a very real aspect of giving birth. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but when it does happen, the feelings experienced, leave a mother feeling guilty and alone. It’s not about whether or not you love the child…you do. At least I did. There was just this…emotional fog.
It’s not often you hear about Post-Adoption Depression, let alone come across a mom being honest about her experience. This is her first post about it so keep in touch with her blog to hear more.
A quick warning to those of you who have by visual intrusive thoughts: Do NOT click on the links included below, ok? Just trust me on what I’ve written here.
Earlier this evening I received a Google Alert for Postpartum Depression which included a story about a Mom in Massachusetts who brutally attacked her two year old daughter. While absolutely tragic, the story itself did not have the phrase “Postpartum Depression” anywhere in the text. Another story I read regarding the same situation also did not mention PPD. The mother instead claims she was being stalked by a cult.
So why did I get the alert?
Because the folks who commented on the story were passionately embroiled in debate about Moms who USE the Postpartum Depression defense.
Nevermind that this particular Mom (according to the news story) had not admitted to PPD or PPP. No, that didn’t matter.
At first I was confused and thought I had missed something within the text which is why I looked for an additional story with more detail. Still not finding anything there to indicate PPP or PPD, I became angry.
Angry with the ignorance of the folks debating the fate of this woman.
Angry that they would jump to the conclusion.
Angry that a few of them apparently believe PPD is a make-believe condition that Moms who kill use just to get lighter sentences or no sentences at all.
Here are just a couple of the infuriatingly ignorant comments:
As a mother, I simply cannot understand how a mother can harm their child. Mental illness or not, there is simply no excuse and unfortunately I think that women scream mental illness when they have done the unconscionable (i.e. God told me to do it, the voices told me to do it and other such things that there is really no concrete proof to support or disprove) in an effort to “get away” with their heinous act. This happens way more than it should and until such time as women are punished the same way men are for the same acts, they will continue to do these things.
Some people simply don’t deserve to be parents. Having kids is a privilege. I have no pity for her. There are thousands of women who can’t get pregnant and would love to adopt, and here is this animal playing the “PPD” card?
Ugh!
THIS is the kind of ignorance keeping women from speaking up and seeking help.
THIS is why some woman’s families refuses to treat her Perinatal Disorder.
THIS is why I SPEAK OUT. WHY I write. WHY I reach behind me to help those in need.
No mother should suffer in fearful silence until she breaks. Ever.
It’s time for the cycle to end.