T.H.E. “My Warrior Life” Brand Ambassador

 

 

 

“I am a woman who shows resiliency in all battles I face, this is My Warrior Life.”

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porsche.george

 

A little about Porsche:

 

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.  As a therapist I go above and beyond expectations to serve my clients and their families with tenacity. I am enthusiastic, display high energy and the ability to maintain good humor and hope in the face of pressure. I am trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), Moral Recognition Therapy, Crisis Intervention and Seeking Safety. I have over 4 years’ experience working with adults, couples, families, children, adolescents and individuals seeking treatment for depression, survivors of trauma (abuse), bipolar, psychosis and life adjustments.  I am experienced in the hospital settings and community mental health outpatient clinics. My expertise is workshops and group therapy due to the unique environment and the specialty that is brought to add to group cohesiveness.

 

 

 

 

Warrior Woman of the Week

Guest Blogger: Adrienne Cannon

 

 

 

 

  

 

I Am A Survivor 

 

(Testimony of a Child Growing Up With a Mentally Ill Parent)

 

My name is Adrienne Cannon. I am 36 and live in San Bernardino County. I work as a claims examiner in Auto Insurance for Mercury Insurance.

I have been for 11 years and am a college grad. I have 3 beautiful daughters ages 8, 5 and 2. I have a sister and 4 step-siblings. Me and my younger sister (Stephanie 33) have the same parents. My mother Maja VanTilborg Combs pronounced Maya, I believe was diagnosed initially soon after I was born. Her diagnosis has flip flopped from bipolar to schizophrenia, because they are very similar disorders. She is typically classified as Schizophrenic.

Growing up was fine as a kid I didn’t realize things were too un-normal until much later. Looking back I can definitely see and realize perhaps why my mother did certain things that may have been puzzling. I believe she was on medication here and there, off and on when I was a kid. I recall her being very strick on TV we could only watch certain channels such as KCET, channel 28 and the christian network channel 40 TBN. I recall that very well. Back then kids liked to play outside so limiting TV was not so much a big deal. Later on I came to realize that my mom really hated TV and it triggered her to hear voices and she was distracted / disturbed by it. Also the radio and the presence of police she was not fond of. When I got older and understood more probably just before Jr. high age, I realized that she had a very strong distrust for people and police and felt that the government was monitoring her thoughts and mind etc. She had a pretty large set back when I was about 8 years old and from that time until now she has been in/out of hospitals, board and care homes and other living facilities.

An incident I recall when she was having an episode is when she pretty much kidnapped me and my sister and we were both under 10 years old. We spent the night in the car after a family wedding. The next day one of us distracted her and the other called our dad. He came with the police but because they stated its a domestic problem we left with her. There were some rough moments but also pleasant ones too. I recall when she lived in a facility when I was in college coming by and dying her hair when it needed a touch up. If its one thing my mom has taught me its most definitely to roll with the punches of life good or bad!!!  You will always come out swinging and the victor no matter what.

It was very hard not having a what you would call, ” a normal mom” and sometimes when having to explain to others who had no clue or idea what i was talking about. Mental Illness was not talked about and a true unknown in the 80’s and 90’s. These days many have a better basic understanding but it still is a bit of a “taboo topic” and many still do not fully understand.

Its a blessing we had a great dad, grandparents on both sides, a caring step-mom and a host of other family to always be there for us and help us growing up. My sister and I were very fortunate to have a great support system many may not have had the support we had. We had many folks to turn to and a great village in our corner. We also were raised in church and were very active in doing things at church which helped keep us busy and involved. Having a “faith foundation in God,” I believe was also key in us having hope for ourselves and hope for our mother to become well. My faith has helpled me over the years and still continues to in my adult life. As the song says… If it wasn’t for the Lord JESUS Christ by my side, I don’t know where I would be. I still continue to serve in my local church as well.

We always saw and kept in touch with our mom. We would see her about one time a week or so. She has always been a presence in our lives. We would talk to her like any person would all the time and visit with her. Sometimes was weird visiting her in the hospital but I suppose we just got use to it. It is different when “your mom” is not in the home and you’re visiting her. She always apologized for her being, “a visiting mom,” I knew its not all her fault persay and its her illness not her. She wished she could be a better mom to us but was not able to. I tell her hey we all do the best we can with God’s help…

Now I am my moms conservator. Its like I’m her legal guardian and the roles are reversed like I’m the parent which is sometimes weird. We fight and argue and get along like many child parent relationships. We go through what most people go through. It is hard to make decisions sometimes on her behalf but I along with my family have to make tough calls sometimes.

Dealing with mental illness is a rough pill to swallow especially in a CRISIS situation.. but we all pull together and figure it out!! If nothing else my moms illness has brought our family together moreso. We all depend on each other and help when we can!! I definitely try to help fight the stigma of mental illness when possible, with the proper help you can make it and the family as well. I have been an advocate for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Chapter in Pomona, CA for over 10 years and we continue to educate those suffering with mental illness, their families and the public on what these various brain disorders look like and what resources are available in the community. There is no direct roadmap for everyone, all paths are different, but there is HOPE and one is able to function in life with help and support. My mom has her ups and downs and not always compliant on medication but is doing great and stable. She has overcame Leukemia and continues to struggle with diabetes. Everyday is a fight for her to maintain sanity and not everyday is a good day, but she lives another day to fight on!! She is one of my Shero’s and I admire her courage and strength to push through her challenges. She currently lives in a facility at this time and because she is not close by I do see her now about 1 time a month and talk to her often throughout the week.

 

 

 

Stay Tuned…

Next week for the introduction of T.H.E. My Warrior Life Team’s Healing Warrior: Carla Necole Williams