“But again I’d just like to say that when you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain people’s mouths about tearing down the government, the anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous… There’s reason to believe this individual has a mental issue and I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol.”
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik
I am a Mother.
I have a mental illness.
I am a wife.
I have a mental illness.
I am a sister.
I have a mental illness.
I am a daughter.
I have a mental illness.
I am a best friend.
I have a mental illness.
I am an Aunt.
I have a mental illness.
I laugh.
I cry.
I smile.
I hurt.
I joke.
I play.
I inspire.
I support.
I love.
I am a person…
…JUST…
…LIKE…
….YOU.
* This is in response to the horrific shootings that occurred in Arizona. I do not condone the very senseless and heinous violent act that took innocent lives. I also do not condone the comments and accusations circulating that people with mental illnesses are dangerous and violent.  Sheriff Dupnik, you disgust me. Â
We are people just like you.
I totally hear you. To make such a blanket statement is
heinous. I know we briefly talked about this via twitter. I think
that more to blame in this situation is the severly lacking care
available to those with mental illness, not the illness
itself.
[Reply]
Very good post Kimberly. I was diagnosed with depression
about a year and a half ago and there are a lot of people in my
family who are bi-polar. They are not violent people who go around
killing people. And like you said we are people just like
you.
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People sometimes say things in the midst of a crisis that
they wish they could take back. It’s a sad situation — I’m
thinking the shooter in question probably did not take medication,
or if he did, he didn’t take it regularly. I relate to what you are
saying… the time to remove the stigma from having a mental
illness is way long past. I take meds for depression and anxiety
and am fairly open about it, as are you. Hugs from one mentally ill
wife and mother to another.
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I couldn’t have said it any better than this. Good for you
for getting your voice out there on this! I second everything you
said…
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very well put, my dear. much love. so much love to
you.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rachel H. and
Kimberly M. Kimberly M said: I do not condone the garbage that flew
out of Sheriff Dupnik’s mouth #stigma #mentalillness
http://tinyurl.com/256xe5v [...]
I think that Clarence likes to use fancy words twice in the
same statement. Seeing as how he used the word vitriol twice, and
made such a blanket statement about people with mental illness I’m
wondering if he knew what the word really meant.
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You said that so well, Kimberly. Just like any tragic loss,
it seems suddenly people get grouped together in a lump that is
unjust and ridiculous. It’s just not so. And you’d think someone
like a sheriff would know better. But then all I have to do is
watch the news to see that’s not the case. Anyway, kudos for you
for taking that stand.
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*LOVE*
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Bravo! Well said and more people need to hear it!
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You are all of those things. But can I still call you
crazy?
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Amen. This whole tragedy just breaks my heart. Stereotypes
are not going to change anything or help anyone heal.
[Reply]
Oh, Kimberly! I’m so sorry! I’ve been staying away from the
details of that tragedy, so I wasn’t aware these types of
statements were made. We love you, every part of you!
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*clapping*
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It’s so easy to always want to blame an “otherness” for why
something bad happened. But it’s usually not about a group of
people doing a bad thing. It’s usually one bad person. I wish
people wouldn’t lump everyone into groups.
[Reply]
Beautiful pics and a beautiful post from a beautiful
lady.
[Reply]
xoxo That’s a terrible statement. It’s just
terrible.
[Reply]
Great post Kimberly! First, you know I am in the same boat
as you and millions of others in terms of suffering from a mental
illness…anytime I hear of stories that involve a crime and mental
illness I am uber-sensitive. I agree, I do not condone criminal
acts in any way shape of form. Where I am torn is that for someone
to do something like he did, you would have to be ill mentally in
someway…I took what he (the sheriff) said as a un-thought-out
comment. I took it as (maybe I’m just wishful thinking) “It’s not
surprising that someone who could perform such a disgusting act
would be suffering from a mental illness.” I certainly hope this is
the case. More people than not are suffering from some type of
mental disorder in my opinion. We just hear less about people like
us than we do the “healthy” people. If all people suffering were
capable of criminal acts I think we’d have an epidemic on our
hands. If he meant what he said then he’s ignorant, uneducated and
bias. I am hoping he meant it more like the way I took it. Either
way it’s too bad that he would utter a comment like that. It’s not
good for the stigma already attached to mental disorders and good
for you for speaking back!
[Reply]
I’ve been following this story on the news constantly and
this is the first time I’ve heard of the sheriff’s statement…how
horrible! I hate blanket statements of any kind, especially since
I’ve been included in those based on my race and religion. It’s
terrible. Your post is so eloquent and may I add that you are just
lovely! As is your family.
[Reply]
Well said. Your response to Mr. Stupid Sheriff couldn’t
have been written any better. I give you a standing
ovation.
[Reply]
When I was 16 I was told I had a chemical imbalance. The
doctor also told me that the majority of people are imbalanced, but
they refuse to seek help or acknowledge it. Maybe the sheriff is
one of those that refuse to acknowledge that he is “unbalanced” and
that is the reason he would make such a dumbass statement.
[Reply]
I didn’t hear his remarks, but I can clearly see they were
born of ignorance.
[Reply]
I’m sorry, but why do we need to blame mental illness?? I
just read an article on this kid and you know what? It does NOT
sound like he was mentally ill, just a person with no morals or
concern for others. There are people like that and they aren’t
mentally ill. They’re just self-obsessed brats who don’t understand
boundaries. It seems like he was always seeking negative attention.
I bet he won’t even feel sorry for the shooting – some people are
just evil, Sheriff.
[Reply]
Beautifully said.
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That is the problem when people generalize their
statements, they make an ass out of themselves. Great
post!
[Reply]
Every day you impress me more and more. This is one of the
best posts I have ever read re: mental illness. Time to re-tweet
& share it!
[Reply]
Great post. I have people in my life that suffer from
depression and you are right.
[Reply]
Statements like that anger me. You can’t blame everything
on a mental illness and you can’t assume that anyone with a mental
illness can be on the verge or even capable of doing something to
that degree. Such a prejudice thing to say. Ugh! What is wrong with
the world? ~ M
[Reply]
Honey baby, you are a brave soul. There is such a stigma to
mental illness. I know, moms dropped me like a fly when they found
out I had PPD. You go, girl. Love you.
[Reply]
Love it. But I’m sure you knew I would. Virtual
kisses!
[Reply]
So proud of you for standing up and for being open and honest about all that you are. Sherriff Dupnik pissed me off to no end with his comments about all mentally ill people needing to be incarcerated. Thank you for saying what you have.
[Reply]
oh lady… this is exquisite. i applaud you.
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You go girl! Love you PINT post this week and good luck with your procedure! I awarded you the Stylish Blog Award. Have a great week!
http://avazoeg.blogspot.com/2011/01/stylish-blogger-award.html
[Reply]
This is a beautiful post, truly, and I applaud you for posting it.
I absolutely, 100% agree with that people need to be sensitive about mental illness. Hell, they need to do more than that – they need to understand it. At the very least, they need to not blame senseless violence on it just because it sounds good in a sound bite.
But I do struggle with the “mental illness” label as it relates to my experience. Your post was one of the ones that made me think about this. Hope you don’t mind that I’ve referenced it in mine: http://mamarobinj.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/the-m-word/
[Reply]
How did I miss this? As a mother to a child with a mental disorder, I cried because it is all true. And the stigma that goes along with it breaks my heart.
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