The discussion on the «Bipolar NOS» thread inspired me to google Mary Ann Copeland. I did that because that discussion made me think about how important it is to not be too hung up in diagnoses and then forget about the unique person behind the diagnose. Diagnoses can be a stigma and there is still a long way to go before people without diagnoses are ready to accept people with diagnoses. Even professional people inside the Mental Health System do sometimes still have prejudices against us. (Not that the discussion I refer to (the "Bipolar NOS" thread) had any hints about that the person behind the diagnose wasn't important. It just made me think more).

I have read articles by Mary Ellen Copeland before and admires what she has done. She is the daughter of a mother with Mania. Mary Ann Copeland was herself hospitalized with Manic Depression and was told that she could not recover. To make a long story short, she had her «feeling well moment», found her own way and then started to gather stories from other persons with Mental Disorders and what it was that had helped them. So she made a study and based upon these stories she developed her WRAP; that is «Wellness Recovery Action Plan».

On the WRAP website we can read:

«Discover your own simple, safe Wellness Tools

• Develop a list of things to do every day to stay as well as possible
• Identify upsetting events, early warning signs and signs that things have gotten much worse and, using Wellness Tools, develop action plans for responding at these times
• Guide you through the process of developing a Crisis Plan or Advance Directive
• Introduce you to Post Crisis Planning

WRAP is for anyone, any time. It will support you in being the way you want to be and doing the things you want to do."

“When the group developed WRAP, I was so impressed that I went home and wrote one for myself. As I began to live WRAP, my life changed dramatically. Over time I felt better and better and better. WRAP is a way of life for me—a great life.” Mary Ellen Copeland.

I think that that view: «... a way of life for me-a great life» is a beautiful and respectful way of expressing that we all are unique and valuable and that we learn to cope with our problems as we walk.

If anyone of you need inspiration, google her articles or take your time to view her at Youtube. It might inspire you to keep going ...

Good wishes to all (myself included )!