Horse, of course
![2007_cover_fall_lg[1].jpg](http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/2007_cover_fall_lg%5B1%5D.jpg)
Now that I'm working at a community mental health center and have daily one-on-one interaction with so many people who live with psychiatric problems, I'm more attuned than ever to the need for creative approaches to dealing with mental illnesses. That's why I love the idea of "care farms," as the Europeans call them -- rural therapeutic farm communities. It's all good and well to try to get people to integrate with the community, but when the community is a big scary city, that can be hard. Listen to this, though:
“There’s hope at Rose Hill,” says Daniel Kelly, who along with his wife, Rosemary, founded Rose Hill after their son, John, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. “Many of the people who havecome here to live have taken what they learned here and gone on to be very successful. Many of our former residents will tell you it totally gave them back their lives.”According to a 2002 survey of 100 Rose Hill graduates conducted by Wayne State University, more than 60 percent were living independently in the community; nearly 65 percent were working for pay, volunteering, or attending school.
Kudyba, who graduated from Rose Hill more than six years ago, is one of its many success stories. Today, she rents her own house, works part time as a courthouse file clerk, and rides horses for enjoyment. She funds her passion by mucking out stalls (a skill she acquired at Rose Hill) in exchange for riding time.
Read the whole article from Schizophrenia Digest, which is reprinted with permission on NAMI's website.
Comments
When I've been at my absolute worst my horses and dogs have been the only thing that kept me on the planet. Horses especially require that you just calm down and breathe. Plus like they say in the article there's that need to get out of bed and take care of them (and the exercise from mucking the stalls)!
I agree, there's a huge need for creative approaches. One of my dogs is a therapy dog (v. cute because she gets her own photo ID for hospital visits). Maybe you can bring your hamster or whatever that other critter is to work?
The cool thing about the "care farms" is that you have the benefit of the countryside without the isolation.
Posted by: minnow | October 30, 2007 05:16 PM
Hi! Found your site online when I googled LORIAN ELBERT. Just watched your vlog about (the fishing trip) "change in routine."
Keep doing what you're doing. I don't really understand depression & M.I. (although I think we all have our hangups, tics, idiosyncronicities, etc.).
I mean you are blessed with great writing skills, looks, sense of humor, technical knowledge.. so much to SHARE, what part of that does NOT give you joy?
I surely hope WRITING YOR BLOG does!
I just don't "get" depression, I myself can just "tune into" another station (as easy as changing the next song to hear) if thoughts, situations or people are a downer.
Poof! It's gone!
Maybe that's the blessing of A.D.D. (diagnosed by my friends).
Anyway... I'm glad YOU are here to enlighten me and others, in LORIAN's memory I'd like to get her work in all of the Libraries across America!
Posted by: KaRi from TPSradio.org & ThePrimeSpot.com | November 1, 2007 01:02 AM
First I had cats, excellent and wonderful caretakers, than I added a dog - delightful beyond imagination and every Saturday I take dressage lessons so I can hang out with horses. Animals are the best therapists.
Posted by: Sally | November 1, 2007 11:00 AM
Gee, I'm not nearly as cool as the rest of you--I keep chickens for my mental health. {;>)
Seriously, chickens are something you can do for fifteen minutes a day or spend hours and hours on. At least ONCE a day I have to haul my sorry ass out of bed and get out to feed and water the ladies. At the end of the day, at least I can feel good about something.
I have three dogs and a bunny, but the chickens and ducks (when I have them--I'm between ducks at the moment) are definitely part of my mental health plan.
Posted by: Sherry | November 29, 2007 06:00 PM