The Village Dispatch: CMHRC's July Newsletter
Topic: Cupcakes and Barbies

Giving Corner: In Memoriam

Life is hard. Families living with mental illness know this because they live it. The challenges can feel endless when you're managing involuntary symptoms, searching for the right professionals to partner with, advocating for accommodations at school, battling with insurance companies to pay for treatment, and enduring stigma. Add to this the fact that all the while, caregivers are also balancing the needs of other children, a spouse, friends, extended family, a job, a home, and more. So yes, our community gets it. Life is hard. 

Case in point... after a particularly difficult day of not getting everything exactly when and how she wanted it, my daughter (then aged six) slid into dysregulation. The stars were not aligning properly and she just knew that if she had new Barbie dolls, life would be perfect. My eight-year-old son, clearly wise beyond his years, simply told her, “Well, life isn’t all cupcakes and Barbies.”

Hilarious, yet pertinent and insightful commentary. It’s true – life isn’t all cupcakes and Barbies. Sometimes we feel entitled to “cupcakes and Barbies” because we’ve read the books, followed the doctor’s orders, and done all the things!

But, life is sometimes down right crumby. 

As caregivers, we have the tendency to isolate ourselves into our family and assume these trials, tribulations, and difficulties have never been seen before; can’t be understood. That is simply not the case. Community is a powerful tool that we must embrace.

Being part of an understanding, authentic, like-minded community does not mean life will be easy, but it does mean you will never have to travel through it alone. The burden of pain, heartache, or trial will be shared. Through that connection there will be an unyielding hope that resonates within.

CMHRC offers you that community. A group

of people who will sit with you during the hardest of times, and celebrate you during your biggest successes. A community that surrounds you with courage, strength, and the fortitude you need to power on.

We at CMHRC know that life may not be all cupcakes and Barbies, but when you share it with the right community, life is still pretty sweet.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at angela@cmhrc.org.

In Memoriam

When we lose someone we love, we search for meaningful ways to keep their memory alive. One powerful way to honor their legacy is by supporting a cause that was close to their heart and that brings hope to others.

With a gift in memory of your loved one,

they, and you, become that beacon of hope. Gifts made to CMHRC, during a time of grief, or on the anniversary of a loss not only celebrates a life well lived, but it also ensures the memory of your loved one continues and helps others for years to come. Every gift, no matter the size, becomes a tribute and a light that shines. 

In 2022, CMHRC's Executive Director, Elizabeth Errico, lost her father. Her mother suggested a beautiful way to keep his spirit alive. In lieu of flowers, family and friends were directed to make a gift to CMHRC in his name.  Now, hie and others are honored on our donor recognition page where their generosity of spirit lives on. 

If you, too, wish to create a lasting legacy, consider making a gift to CMHRC in a loved one's name. Your contribution will help us continue our mission and bring hope to so many families. To learn more about gifts in memoriam, contact Jana Cupp, Director of Development at jana@cmhrc.org.

We're taking a break in July. Please check our website for information on webinars for August and into the fall. 

As always, webinars take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm Eastern Time

Sent by CMHRC

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