How to save a life…

Yeah, this title is a reference to the song, How to save a life by The Fray. Whenever I hear about a suicide, this song comes to mind. I never knew the person, but a friend did. Yesterday, when I came home from the library, I get on my Facebook and find out that someone decided to end their life. It saddens me to hear about those things; because I’m sure they had hopes and dreams. I’m sure they had goals they wanted to reach, but sometimes life gets too overwhelming. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends; I know he’ll be missed.

If you’re thinking about suicide, please don’t do it. There’s so many people that care, even if you don’t see it, there’s more people that care than you would think. Talk to someone you trust. If they’re not available, call a suicide hotline. I’ve included a link that lists some of the hotlines.

http://depression.about.com/od/suicidecrisis/Suicide_Hotlines.htm

If you know anyone that wants to commit suicide, there are ways to help them. I’ve included a link with some tips for helping someone who is suicidal, but the most important thing to know, is to get them some help.

http://depression.about.com/od/suicideprevent/a/howhelpsuicidal.htm

http://depression.about.com/od/suicideprevent/a/howhelpsuicidal_2.htm

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. For those of you who are thinking of suicide, know that there are ways to get help, and it’s okay to ask for help. For those who know someone that may be considering suicide, be there for them, get them some help, and you just might save their life.

Until next time, God Bless.

- MissNiChloe

A Beautiful Memory

Not too long ago, my friends have helped me re-discover my lost talent of writing. Recently, I was reminded of one memory back in 3^rd grade, when I first started writing. Since then, I have written a few things, but never thought I was a writer, but I always knew I was a writer at heart. I still remember that day like it was yesterday, and I cherish the memory everyday now.

I was in third grade... and I did not have my hearing aid yet therefore, I could not hear very much. My third grade teacher took us to the small hiking trail in the back of the school. She wanted us to use our hearing and sense of smell... that was difficult for me... not only could I not hear very well, I cannot smell, at all. So, instead, I tried to listen, but I could not hear much aside from the crunching of the leaves under my feet. Since I could not smell, I just ended up looking around at the trees, oh what a beautiful color they were. It was the middle of autumn and all I could think of was how pretty the leaves were, especially with the sun shining on them... and the warmth of the sun in contrast to the chilly breeze...

We got back to the classroom and I told the teacher I could not smell and I could not hear a thing... she then pointed out that I could hear the leaves crunching under my feet. And she was right, but I was still confused. She told me to at least give that a try... so I did. I went back to my desk, and as I thought back to that hike, the creativity, the words, just flowed right through me and I just started to write. It was... a word picture of sorts. I wrote about the crunch of the leaves, the warmth of the sun in contrast to the chilly breeze, the beautiful colors of the leaves, especially when the sun shined onto them. And what I had written was the best one out of the whole class; it was one of the three papers that was put up for display.

And when I think back to that day, I look at how far I've come, and I remember all the other writings I've ever done, but unfortunately, I have not saved... but I have the memories... it's a wonder how I've never thought I was a writer until now, but subconsciously, I've always said, I was a writer at heart. I think back to that day, and all I can do is smile. Anyone can write, but when you write from the heart, when you can feel the words flowing through you, that’s how you know you are a writer.

Until next time, God Bless.

- MissNiChloe

Occupy JRC

This is a response from seeing the horrors that go on at the Judge Rotenburg Center (JRC). If you google this center, you'll see quite a few blogs along with the official website for the place. But just recently, I found out what this center was all about. Apparently, they use electro-shock therapy on their students who have special needs. The Judge Rotenburg Center uses this as a therapy, but in reality, they are using it as punishment. The end result is the student is so traumatized, he or she will never be the same. The student would have to go through years and years of therapy. No person should have to go through that, especially those with disabilities.

The first incident I've heard about is when the JRC was put on trial for the abuse of Andre McCollins. He was tied down and shocked 31 times. Here is the link to the video shown in court, but I will warn you, it is very graphic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAj9W0ntUMI

Are you guys still with me? I know this stuff is pretty heavy. You're disgusted, right? I am too. I have included all the links from the video description here if you don't think you'll be able to watch that video. I don't blame ya, I could hardly stand watching it myself.

Here is another news article about this:

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2007/08/school-shock


Here is the first-hand coverage from a blogger that attended the trial:

http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-judge-rotenberg-center-on-trial-part-one/
http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-judge-rotenberg-center-on-trial-part-two/
http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-judge-rotenberg-center-on-trial-part-3/
http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-judge-rotenberg-center-on-trial-part-4/
http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-judge-rotenberg-center-on-trial-part-5/
http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-judge-rotenberg-center-on-trial-part-6/
http://autisticadvocacy.org/2012/04/the-jrc-on-trial-part-7/

Here is the occupy JRC link, in which unfortunately, I did not know about until after it was over... but the job is not done yet, which is why I've made this entry title: Occupy JRC. The job will not be done until the abuse is stopped:

http://occupyjrc.org/

And here is the petition (the petition has since been closed, but that doesn't mean we can't still fight):
http://www.change.org/petitions/massachusetts-representatives-please-stop-painful-electric-shocks-on-students-at-jrc-in-massachusetts

Here is more information on this subject:

http://www.facebook.com/endabuseinschool


I am sorry that this entry is heavy with links, but I felt it was crucial to getting my point across. I ask you guys to please sign the petition, and end the abuse.

Until next time, God Bless.
~ MissNiChloe

How Superheroes bring us hope

For years, superheroes have given people hope for the future, to the young, and the old, to the males and the females, to the gifted and the disabled... Superheroes of all kinds have given us hope over the years. I've heard news stories about how loved ones have been creative with using these heroes to make life better. The most recent story I heard is how a mother used The Avengers to help her comic book loving son. If you have't seen The Avengers yet, I'd strongly recommend it, it's a very good movie.

Here is the story: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7410472n&tag=strip

I was touched by this story. I have a hearing impairment and an active imagination. The one superhero I've always looked up to was Superman, but I loved all the superheroes. I remember when I was a little girl, I was bullied back then too. I used to pretend I was either one of the superheroes to fight alongside Superman, or I was the one behind the scenes giving information to the Superheroes, both times, pretending my hearing aid was a communicator (think Watchtower from Smallville). What's funny is that in my favorite show, Smallville, there was a character named Chloe Sullivan who became Watchtower and did exactly what I pretended to do as a little girl. I did not write the character of Chloe Sullivan though.

Chloe Sullivan may only be a supporting character to the Superman mythology, in fact, she wasn't in the original mythology, but the character of Chloe Sullivan gives me hope because of the hurt she's been through and how she survived and succeeded. In a way, she's a hero as well. She makes a difference and that's what I hope to do someday. Before Chloe Sullivan, I've always thought of myself as a Supergirl or Lois Lane and even now, whenever I'm faced with something, I ask myself, what would Supergirl or Superman do or what would Chloe Sullivan or Lois Lane do?

There's quite a few stories that's still very clear to my mind where I asked what would Chloe Sullivan do or what would Supergirl do, stories where I feel I've made a difference. But for now, everyone thinks of me as a clumsy college student.


What superhero or supporting character gives you hope for the future? Do you have any stories in which you have asked what your hero would do?


Until next time, God Bless.
- MissNiChloe

Writing as an outlet

For anyone that suffers through mental health issues, we look for an outlet, sometimes it's talking to a friend, or your counselor, or your teacher, or anyone else you would trust. But, what happens if at the moment, when you're at your lowest, there is no one available? It can happen, and it's happened to me quite a few times in my life. That's when we try to look for outlets we can do by ourselves to make us feel better, at least until we can talk to someone if nothing else.

Almost every time I'm at my lowest, I'm suicidal. Half the time, there is no one available for me to get help at that crucial moment. Why? Because unfortunately, that crucial moment happens when I have a bout of insomnia. I'm up in the middle of the night, it's 3am, thoughts running through my mind, my mind is going a mile a minute and I just want to sleep! I'm not saying that that's when the crucial moment usually happens or that it happens every single time I have a sleepless night. It's just something that happens. And unfortunately, it can make you feel even more alone.

So, what can you do about it? There's no one you can reach, so what can you do? First thing you should do is just take a deep breath and just remember to breathe and relax. This is the time that you can search within yourself, while everything else is quiet. Search within yourself and find out what would make you feel better. For me, an outlet, especially at night, is reading or writing. A few of my friends were especially helpful when I had my last bout of depression, and I was ready to give up. They told me that there is hope that life will get better. And knowing that I was always a writer at heart, they insisted that I try writing again. And so, I did.

I posted a couple of poems that I had written in college, they said those were great and wanted more. So I just kept writing and I still am writing. Have you ever felt that Eureka moment? It's a feeling that you cannot describe, but it's one of the best feelings in life. I've had one of those moments, it was a moment where I finally discovered I was a writer and all the writing I did in the past made more sense. My earliest writing memory was in 3rd grade. And I once wrote a story in one night while in college. I just could not sleep, and my story ended up being 100+ pages. I had since lost the story, but I still have the memory. At this moment, I am working on a novel that I hope will be published someday.

At night, I'm usually adding to my current story or writing in my journal. Writing in a journal is a good way to make yourself feel better. Sometimes, you may want to write out what you're feeling, and then crumble up the paper and throw it away. I've been writing in journals on and off my whole life. I have had about five journals that I've kept. Writing gives you a piece of mind. It is a way to let out your troubles or to celebrate your happiness. I talk to myself sometimes, so sometimes I write as if I'm talking to myself. You don't have to write a specific way or even stay on topic when you're writing a journal.


Regardless, writing always makes you feel better, that's the beauty of it.



Until next time, God Bless.
- MissNiChloe

Dealing with Mental Illness

http://www.yourmindyourbody.org/mental-health-month-blog-day/

Most of my friends know already that I have a disability. I've mentioned it a few times here on my blog. But did you know, I also suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Bipolar Disorder 2? I've had a difficult time with life. But, as time went on, I had gotten more control with my mental illness with better medications and such, but not without making some mistakes that I still regret. Right now, I still suffer from depression, deep depression, but I take it one day at a time. I've taken up writing again as an outlet. And I know, I have my friends that I can count on.

I know just as well as the next person that life is tough. Depression or any other kind of mental illness can make life tougher. Add a disability on top of that and you've got my life, just tough. I think, that what I've been through in my life have shaped what I want to do in life. I've taken psychology and I want to do something in that field.

If I could give you guys advice right now, especially regarding depression, NEVER give up hope. There is always hope, even if you don't see it right now. If you're lonely or stuck in one place, try to find a hobby or try to go volunteer somewhere. My hobbies mainly are reading, writing, and photography. I always do one of those whenever I get the chance. Writing is a great outlet, no matter how good or bad you feel. Photography helps you capture beauty just about anywhere. Beauty is everywhere. Just remember, no matter where you are in life, never give up, there is always hope. There is a poem I want to share here, that I have written especially for this post. It was inspired by my good friends.

Feelings

Anger and frustration
makes you want to scream
so you go to a therapy session
just to blow off some steam

Sadness and depression
creeps on you like a team
you want to get rid of the tension
and you wish this was just a bad dream

Content and hopefulness
when good things come our way
as long as we’re in business
we’ll always have words to say

Compassion and happiness
and hopes that friends will stay
we all need that closeness
to help us through the day

This is life, the good and the bad
don’t give up, there are so many memories to be had

Until next time, God Bless.
- MissNiChloe

An Inspirational Person

Today, I found out about someone who is a motivational speaker and author. She is a wonderful soul who doesn't let anyone bring her down. Her name is Lizzie Valesquaz, she is 23 years old, and she is living with a rare, undiagnosed syndrome. It is so rare, only three people in the world has this syndrome, her included. To this day, it is still a mystery.

She has dealt with bullies. She was once voted the ugliest girl in the world on youtube. She's been told she would not amount to anything. Do you know what she did? She proved to everyone that it's what on the inside that counts. She proved every single one of those haters wrong with her successes.

She recently made an inspirational video here:

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhi78RkesU4x0628DB

She currently has two books out: Lizzie Beautiful and Be Beautiful, Be You. Lizzie Beautiful is available now on Amazon. Be Beautiful, Be You is set for release on October 1, 2012. For those who know my love for reading, I will be looking out for those books.

Her story has really hit home for me. It's not that I have the same syndrome, it's what I've had to deal with and my goals in life. I'm sure my troubles can't compare with hers, and I'm not saying I've had more troubles or she's had more troubles. Her story is just very relateable.

For those who know me, you know I want to speak out for awareness on certain subjects. I know I can't touch on everything, so I'm cautious about trying to speak out about everything. Just the other day, I was doubtful that I'd be able to reach out. So, as a child of God, I prayed for Him to show me some inspiration. Today, I got that inspiration and I want to say, God bless you, Lizzie, and thank you for being an inspiration. Keep doing what you do best.

She has a twitter, facebook, and a blog. It's all on her website here:

http://www.aboutlizzie.com/#!__home

I've already contacted her via her website to let her know she's doing an awesome job. I invite you to check out her website.

Until next time, God Bless.
~ MissNiChloe