I’m Not Ok has joined with Unseen: A Caregiver Documentary to lend a hand in advocacy for the voices of the many who feel unheard, and “unseen”. The trailer for this powerful film will prompt you to want to learn more and see it in its entirety. Words can stir but adding a visual provides a whole new depth.
So, check it out already!
“I see a pier on each side.
My breaths shallow, eyes moist.
Boats are at each end of the piers. The boats hold priority, decision, woes, etc.
There are so many piers. So many boats.
Imagine the weight of them all with each thought/idea just waiting for their turn. I keep walking. I refuse to choose a boat. It is my job, but it is too hard. The sky is low with grays and blues. There is a slight breeze almost taunting my body to move and go one way or another.
Meet “Trauma”. Trauma is formidable. It is like a ball made up of a hundred stinging bees or needles. It is shattered glass floating in pitch black liquid, sneaky & attacking each time it touches. It is a jar full of the most tear felt screams you have ever allowed out of your dying spirit within. Trauma. It envelopes all emotions, not just anger or fear. Sometimes it hides. Other times it just flows over like an overfilled bathtub.
Why do I just remain in a postured state? Why do I just pass each pier with intention but no intention? Will the boats eventually sink from the pressure? Will they become detached and float away into an unforeseen orbit? What about the architecture of the pier? Will it remain in tact or eventually rot?
It is isolating and lonely, dealing with “Trauma”. Considerations. Anxieties.
I take my hands out of my pockets and criss-cross my legs on the ground. In the center of it all, I surrender. Accepting of the unknown, the misery in the waiting and the neglect of the other.
”
2020 Update
I had a moment.
I began thinking that my mission was all for naught. You know the way it goes, the self doubt whispering in your ear. The thought that none of my efforts were making a dent.
Then, I reviewed.
Regardless of the down days, there have been quite bright ones. In fact, as my fancy purple paper shows, this community has generated around $800.00, totally for the needs of others! Even in a pandemic. Even despite my non-sense worries interfering.
So, I will continue on. And I know if you stick around, we will do great things together.
“Happy Mother’s Day Mamas!
Watch our Mother’s Day Tribute to Special Needs moms from the I’m Not Ok community.”
What is this all about?
Throughout the years, being a mother of special needs children, I found myself becoming frustrated with the callous remarks made by people in their attempts to understand what I was going through. Comments such as “You’ll be ok”, or how do you do it? The insincere attempts to self gratify but not answer the real questions people had.
After collapsing under the illusion that society as a whole had lost all hope, I was reminded of one basic fact. Maybe, they really just do not know what to say. They do not know what I go through. They simply do not understand.
So, I decided to tell the world. Not just my story, but those of other parents. Siblings. Workers and teachers. I decided it was time to break the ignorance.
After completing the project of “I’m Not Ok”, it became obvious that I had merely scratched the surface. Many other parents are out there and long to have their voices heard. We are the silent, behind the scene players. The ones that are taken for granted because we wear a smile so easily. Our joy is deep, don’t get that twisted. It is just that other days, our struggles can be so easily dismissed. So, now it is my goal to continue to break the ceiling for all of those who feel or have felt unheard. This is our platform.
So welcome all!!
Check it out
See the reviews for yourself…
People are taking notice
“I’m Not Ok” took it’s first road trip in 2019 to Boulder, Colorado. The Ball Corporation held a question and answer interview for their employees about inclusion and how we can work together to bring empathy in the workplace.
Lexington, KY
CBD Wellness of Kentucky hosted a local author event where we all were able to read from our books and share our journeys. It was truly an amazing day.
Author signing
Half Price Books in Hamburg allowed a day for “I’m Not Ok” to set up shop and talk to shoppers while selling autographing books. Such a great place to go for a good read.
We are always looking for new ways to promote the message of this book and support local families by raising a voice for them. Come be a part of something bigger than yourself.