Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Disorder Public Speaking My first “public speaking” experience was in English Class, my junior year in High School. It was one of my finest moments, but I was critical of myself. I gave a presentation on The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams with another classmate. While I delivered it I could … Continue reading
Posted by sherryjoiner …
How to make your love relationship work when you have schizo-affective disorder
I have schizo-affective disorder, my husband has diabetes, yet we are fortunate to have the same belief system and ability to work through most of our problems. Our relationship is built on trust, commitment, and communication. I’m not afraid to express myself around him. My emotional freedom is important, and I earned it from being … Continue reading
Destruction
As the climate destroys the earth it changes our attitudes towards life. At times like this, seeing communities come together over the devastation made by a tornado makes me appreciate the real value of being here. We can never be sure what is in store for us. Being able to walk the planet is a gift. Our food, water, shelter, transportation, and special moments are valuable. We … Continue reading
NAMI Walk
It was overcast for the NAMI Walk, a walk for the mind, today. The clouds concentrated on holding the Spring showers tight in the sky. There were loaves of bread being passed out with bottled water at the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland and what seemed like pop western or reggae music being played on a … Continue reading
A Dream, Fantasy with Schizo-Affective Disorder
I had a dream I was painting a portrait of a Baiana woman from Bahia with a golden turban on her head. A clear plastic recyclable bag took up residence on her lap and inside the bag were colorful bows and spools attached to her long frail finger tips. With her eyes closed, she worked … Continue reading
Renoir
Enjoyed the cast of the movie Renoir the other day. I witnessed the tapestry of color and light coming to focus as Renoir painted beauty from his models. Since I had been studying Renoir’s techniques of impressionism, I was touched by his fine brush stokes and drive to paint under such adversity.
A Gay Man’s Life
As I sit a gallery in Portland, Oregon, where my paintings hang with other artists, I’m looking at a photo. That’s me in the denim jeans and white laced blouse with my brother’s arm around my shoulder. He has a dusky Afro and a wide Portuguese smile. A happy picture. I remember stroking his soft … Continue reading
An Event Remembered
We walked through the Rhododendron Garden together viewing the luscious blooms and watched the baby geese feed themselves seeds from the green grass. It was a month since I talked with Amy Meyers, the coordinator of the Music and Art for the Mind show, and she seemed at peace with herself. The warm wind tossed … Continue reading
My Article in NAMI Voice Newsletter
Bringing Peace and Happiness to the Psych Ward An article which ran in the NAMI Voice newsletter, Spring 2013 As a member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness and lecturer in a psych ward, I introduce a meditation exercise to my groups. I have everyone get comfortable and relaxed and count from toe to … Continue reading
Mother’s Day
Having breakfast with my husband and friends this morning. My stepdaughter sent me a “Happy Mother’s Day” email, and I’m overjoyed. I’m wishing all the mothers around the world who care about their children and want to make a difference in their children’s lives, a stress-free and healthy day.
Arts and Writing by Sherry 