First of all assume “crazies” is spelled with quotations. I jokingly said I wanted to reclaim the words “crazy”, “insane” and “nuts” the way some black people have reclaimed the “n” word. Of course it is meant to be understood that those words are in quotations. And can only be spoken by those who fall into the category of having “lived experience” with a mental illness. I hate the terms lived experience and consumer survivor. Call a damn spade a spade I say. I have since found out that my trailblazing mentor, who has since passed, was trying to reclaim those words as well! My grandmother always said “great minds think alike… and fools seldom differ” hahaha. My mentor was definitely a great mind. I use them jokingly among my village of supporters sometimes. It lightens the mood a little sometimes.
Anyway, when I was in the hospital there was a patient who didn’t speak the same language as me very fluently. I had issues with not having an appetite and not eating. They noticed and would often motion me to come closer and give me a piece of food and watch closely until I ate it. It was actually a beautiful exchange. One “crazy” person clear enough to see, in the midst of their own psychosis, that I would benefit from a piece of banana and not to offer me the whole thing because it was just too much at the time.
Sometimes that same person would motion for me to lie down because I was becoming too overstimulated and needed a break. That touched my heart.
We’re more than just our illness.
Take care my lovelies,
Naz
Just Mai 2 Cents 