I am feeling in a stellar mood today after many weeks of mood lability. Part of what gave me joy are some very pleasant interactions and inspirations that made me think about my heroes and heroines. I have many, and will list some below, with as brief of descriptions as possible of who they are and what they do/did. Again, it's not a complete list. I would also very much like to read about your heroes and heroines.

- Hubby - For everything. He's the absolute most wonderful person in the world to me.

- David from my local DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance) group. David has been the primary leader for the group for many years and even cared so much for DBSA that he became the head of DBSA New Jersey. His leadership created a very strong group, managed the move to another facility, organized numerous interesting guest speakers, and DBSA symposiums at our location, and various social events. He has been a good friend to many, including me, and has introduced us to many wonderful opportunities (NAMI Walk teams that he organized and once inspired me to organize for the event, interesting talks/lectures in New York City and through NAMI, and more). He has done all of this for free as a volunteer.

- Patrick Kennedy, former congressman for Rhode Island and son of former Senator Ted Kennedy - In addition to sharing his story openly to the public via TV interviews, magazines, and public forums, he worked very hard as a former congressman to help pass monumental legislation that benefited the mentally ill.

- Kay Redfield Jamison, M.A., Ph.D - Most of us probably know Dr. Jamison because of her many books on topics related to Bipolar Disorder, and her memoir. She is also a very significant researcher/writer and professor in the field of psychiatry, specializing in bipolar disorder. She herself had the courage to share her story, which has been invaluable to people with bipolar disorder, family members, the general public, and students and other people in academia. She regularly speaks at universities and other venues, and has often appeared on television.

- Bryan Stevenson - Mr. Stevenson, a lawyer, and his organization the Equal Justice Initiative is famous for his outstanding work challenging bias against the poor, mentally ill, and people of color. He has won relief for numerous falsely condemned prisoners, won leniency for children excessively penalized as adults, and other excessively or falsely penalized people in prisons. He is a true humanitarian and Christian in the purist sense who encourages mercy, not hatred.

Many thanks to everyone who works hard providing mental health treatment, support and/or advocacy in all forms! That includes people here at Psych Central!

Carrie Fisher. Not much to say about her since she was a strong BP advocate, etc.. But she really helped educate people on the illness, and I am thankful for that. Too bad I never got to meet her, as that would have been awesome.

I don't idealize people much lately but growing up, it was definitely my neighbors in the mountains. When they retired, they bought a lot next door to ours (about the same time my parents did), had a garage with a workshop and storage room built for them and lived out of their Airstream trailor while they built the rest of their home all by themselves. Whenever we went up to our cabin in the mountains I would rush over there at sunrise and he would be working. I was amazed at all they could do and loved to watch and assist. He could do framing, build with stones he gathered (think fireplaces, retaining walls, patios), do cabinetry, candlesticks, plumbing and his wife helped him with it all. She (her name was Dottie-I liked that old fashioned name too) was talented at sewing, went to the same college I attended (even lived in the same dorm), and did wonderful volunteer work in our community. When they discovered Anasazi ruins right on their property, she contacted the closest state university and under their supervision--she began excavating it. When she came across large pots--she dug them out little by little (she moved only small amounts of dirt at a time and used a paint brush a lot, just working when the weather was good)--with these pots, she would number all around the outside because when you dug out the middle, they fell apart then she glued them back together. When she came across bodies buried in the corners of the homes with their belongings--this was when the university came--there was so much that could be learned from this part of her discoveries that they handled this with their experts. The artifacts she found were displayed at our local library for a while. I looked up to her so much growing up and these neighbors were like grandparents to me!!!

Originally Posted by Hopingtrying

I don't idealize people much lately.

Actually, my dad is my hero but I no longer idealize him. He has many of the same weaknesses I do (doesn't like confrontation) but had many successful careers and is such an enjoyable person to be with. He exposed me to so many beautiful places (traveling, the places I grew up) and once I turned 16, I always had a car and he paid for my college education--most of these things I was not able to do for my children. I was very, very lucky and blessed to have these experiences.

my mental health worker toyah (even though she's now left her job, she said we can still keep in contact, and that's exilent!)

my friend laura- because she always makes time for me and my illness no matter how busy she is

nurse rachel of my local hospital- because despite putting her through hell, she kept her cool and continued to just do her job

tara and ryan- 2 friends that have never left my side, (even when I thought about ending my friendship with tara)

my very first therapist jane for making her sessions less like a therapy session, and more relaxed.

my friend angela for keeping me focused and in a good mood even though I might not feel it

demmi lovato- because her music is simply awesome

john legend- because he was responsible for my fave song, all of me
anyone involved with voicing the lion king (or any of it's animated cartoon series) for helping me through some really tough times, especially my very first day in hospital when everything seemed so scary and new

justin fletcher (mr tumble on tv), just a really funny guy, and multi tallented

all my friends on PC

I forgot a few:

ant and dec (the funniest tv comedians who I have followed since their early days)

and the cast of soap opera emmerdale for giving me something constant to tune in to every evening

Thanks, everyone, for sharing these nice stories.

[annielovesbacon]

I have looked up to Carrie Fisher for a very long time. When I was a little girl, seeing her on screen as a strong heroine inspired me. When I got older, seeing her speak out about mental health and addiction inspired me. After I was diagnosed with bipolar, I really respected the way in which she shared her story. It seems like most celebrities with MI share their stories like "I hit rock bottom, went to rehab, and now everything is great!" which may well be true for them, and if so that's great, but I can't relate to that. Carrie was always open, always talked about the negative effects of treatment, never pretended that she had a full recovery or that she never relapsed into addiction again... her story resonated with me deeply.

I've read all her books (I recommend especially Wishful Drinking and Shockaholic for those interested) and her straightforward, brash, and funny way of addressing her mental health made me feel better and helped me to address my mental health in the same way.

After she died I got a tattoo that was a modernized version of the tattoo she had on her ankle. It means a lot to me. I'm currently designing another tattoo that will include a quote from her (the one in my signature). I was absolutely devastated when she died. It still hurts.

annielovesbacon, that was such a nice tribute to Carrie. I admired a lot, too.

All of the tributes here are so nice!

[Guiness187055]

Jesus Christ

[Unrigged64072835]

My husband, who has put up with my crap for almost 7 years.

My daughter who is maturing into a young woman who is taking care of herself.

My daughter's boyfriend, who survived what would've been a fatal car crash. He still has a good head on his shoulders, even if he acts goofy at times.

My old and new T, who did and do a lot for me.

Multitudes of people who do good things everyday without expecting praise or money. That includes people on PC.

[pirilin]

Me. Fentanil.

[VerMOZZica]

My Mom because she is an awesome person and has always supported me and my family. She is an excellent mother. She is very kind and non- judgmental.

My Dad because he is a Vietnam veteran .And even though he can have a bad temper and get angry pretty easily. He has always supported and provided for his wife and kids and grandkids.

My grandparents because they worked hard to build a good life for their families.

My sisters because they are really good and strong people. And because my little sis takes me to Morrissey concerts.

[Pookyl]

My grandmother was pretty special. She died 23yrs ago and I still miss her so much.

[AspiringAuthor]

Dorothy from the "Wizard of Oz" and Alice from "Alice in the Wonderland".