Hi guys,
I thought I'd mention this man... His name is John McCarthy. He's the founder of 'Mad Pride Ireland', an open and engaging group which aims to open the conversation on mental health, its reality and its normality. I've heard him being interviewed on national radio a few times in the past and his attitude to life, illness - mental and physical and love is not only inspirational and admirable but honest and open. He has struggled with ill mental health over the years and has seen the ugly side of the mental health services here (as have I!) He has motor-neuron disease and as he says, he would choose the crippling pain of 'creeping paralysis' over the soul-destroying state of depression. The fact that he is from the 'old fashioned' more 'traditional' era of Ireland yet can still talk openly about mental health is a nice change.
His take on mental health and the 'normality of madness' is refreshing, unique and touching. I just thought I'd mention him.
Here is a link to an article on him and Mad Pride Ireland and also a link to their site:
If I have mental illness, I want doctors to prove it - The Irish Times - Tue, Oct 11, 2011
About Mad Pride Ireland
He has also contributed to a radio documentary called 'Lives Less Lived'... The story of a young lady 'locked up' in an institution in the 1950's. 60 years later, she is still there. It is a great piece of work...
RT.ie Radio 1: Documentary on One - Lives Less Lived
I hope that this post is OK and that I've posted this in the right place. I'm still new to posting and don't want to make too much noise!
I thought I'd mention this man... His name is John McCarthy. He's the founder of 'Mad Pride Ireland', an open and engaging group which aims to open the conversation on mental health, its reality and its normality. I've heard him being interviewed on national radio a few times in the past and his attitude to life, illness - mental and physical and love is not only inspirational and admirable but honest and open. He has struggled with ill mental health over the years and has seen the ugly side of the mental health services here (as have I!) He has motor-neuron disease and as he says, he would choose the crippling pain of 'creeping paralysis' over the soul-destroying state of depression. The fact that he is from the 'old fashioned' more 'traditional' era of Ireland yet can still talk openly about mental health is a nice change.
His take on mental health and the 'normality of madness' is refreshing, unique and touching. I just thought I'd mention him.
Here is a link to an article on him and Mad Pride Ireland and also a link to their site:
If I have mental illness, I want doctors to prove it - The Irish Times - Tue, Oct 11, 2011
About Mad Pride Ireland
He has also contributed to a radio documentary called 'Lives Less Lived'... The story of a young lady 'locked up' in an institution in the 1950's. 60 years later, she is still there. It is a great piece of work...
RT.ie Radio 1: Documentary on One - Lives Less Lived
I hope that this post is OK and that I've posted this in the right place. I'm still new to posting and don't want to make too much noise!
