Video: Humor Heals

Therese,

To quote Mr. Roger's:
"I like you just the way you are." ^I^

Therese:

You are the "funnest" person I know. (Well, maybe except for my girlfriend, LOL.) I'm sure your dad is smiling down -- make that laughing down -- toward you.

Here's something that happened to me recently, not so good.

I work in a Mike Bloomberg-type "bullpen" in my new job with three other people -- a Latino, an African-American, and a Caribbean immigrant. I'm the token white guy of course (which I can call myself because I'm, well, the token white guy).

We usually get along because we all have highly sarcastic senses of humor -- ranging from dry to acid.

Anyway, the Caribbean lady was a little grouchy coming in one morning.

The Latino guy promptly said, "Wow, somebody's bipolar today."

He, the Caribbean lady and the African-American woman promptly burst out into hysterical laughter. Naturally, I didn't.

So then he asked me -- since for any other joke he would have told I'd be doubled over in hysterics -- "Why aren't you laughing?"

I said, truthfully, "Hey, I'm smiling." And I was. With the painted-on face of Pagliacci the sad clown.

Mind you, these are among the most socially conscious, leftist people you would ever want to meet (I'm the conservative in the room, and I'm a liberal Democrat) on all matters ... except one.

Ugh.

Momma1: I echo Tricia's welcome! IMHO, you've"stubled upon" the ABSOLUTE BEST site on the internet in terms of finding loving, caring, GIVING people. What you'll find here EVRY time you visit is a community of kindred spirits who not only WANT to understand, for the most part, they DO. And or inimitable brave blogmistress is ALSO beyond compare! She takes everything her readers "dish out" and yet responds in love and a spirit of reconcilliation (like she has today with this video) which sets the tone for the rest of us to be accepting of each other's quirks, pet peeves and needs. The wonderful friends I've found here are BEYOND THE PALE!!
tHERESE: i'M IN 100% AGREEMENT ABOUT HAVING THE"RIGHT" TO MAKE CERTAIN KINDSOF COMMENTS BRCAUSE WE'VE EARNED it by virtue of our inclusion in a particular group be it by birth(ethnicity), choice(religious affiliation or cirumstance(mental illness) Besides, life is too short to take offense where none has been intended. The freedom to be our true selves here is a result of the fact that you model itfor us on a daily basis! If YOU were to start feeling you must choose your words more carefully, I wager your popularity would take a HUGE dip! NO ONE is FORCED to log on and hear you "poke fun".I regret tht some have been offended, but you ARE who you are, and most of us are crazy about theperson that is.(Pun intended!) Simply watching/hearing THE NEWS THESE DAYS GIVES US ENOUGH opportunites to cry or be offended;I, for one, am GRATEFUL to know I can come here and nearly always get a chuckle(or at least a smile! ! many blessings upon your head for all the good you do. To paraphrase Billy Joel,"don't go changin' to try and please us,you've never let us down before...we love you just the way you ARE

I've not reviewed the negative reviews of the "Eric and Mr. Guardian Angel". It doesn't take much to understand how some people might feel offended by the term 'whackjob' being tossed around in reference to people suffering from a brain disease. That said an examination of context, intention of the whackjob throwing in around, and time spent earning the trust and 'right' cast off the PC chains might permit an attorney to ensure the whackjob doesn't end up on deathrow.

I have innumerable un-PC terms to describe whackjobs like Therese. Actually, I use them on a fairly routine basis in working with whackjobs. Without exception, use of such terms invariably neutralizes the deadly seriousness and heaviness of being a whackjob. In fact, people seem to enjoy competitions that require rapid verbalization of whackjob synonyms in response to the one just tossed out by the lunatic supposed to be be playing doctor; a certified and proud lunatic I am.

Therese, I hope you will consider doing a video where you go on for a good 7 minutes throwing out all the Un-PC synonyms for head case as you imitate someone with Tourette's.........why not, it's a blast trading cuss blurts with a talented T-man........laugh on !

Oh, Yeah...
I often refer to myself as "Totally Loontickie"
How else can I explain it to someone who hasn't a clue?

Love & Peace to All

Sue

Using Therese's argument, is it OK for an African American to refer to himself or herself as the "N" word? I guess some would say it would. However, anyone coming up with excuses for using words that would be offensive uttered by others lowers the common discourse of everyone. We simply should not use such terms and have a more civil conversation.

I thought the purpose of this blog was to erase the stigma of mental illness, not perpetuate the stereotypes.

Thanks for considering this point of view.

Anonymous:

I think you need to read the Mad Pride entry in Therese's blog on Monday.

I take it you would agree with Dr. Torrey that anyone who is "out there" and activist about their disease is just bitter. (Certainly what my parents think ...)