Give A Hand For Diane's IWLA

It was quoted to me, "It can't be done". "There's no cure for Mental Illness". WRONG!!! Would you please be a supporter for myself, a woman who has a dream and a goal at age 59 going on 60 that has always been in the "waiting room" and for a long time needs to move into my dream. I have been nominated for the IWLA. I need to raise $199 for membership dues and $795 for lifetime membership in order to be recognized for my work and network with other women for a trademark for my historic and creative jewelry designs. Let me tell you what I've been doing since 1979 when I was informed I might be mentally ill at age 20 when people make dreams come true while getting college degrees and making their families. I advocated for M.I. from 1985 - 2008 for supportive housing, proper medication and social security benefits for the mentally challenged. I raised the benefits payment 500%, from $350 (1981) to $1609 (2016) with mentally uncomfortable hard work, trials and errors, friendships and national assistance. I was not hospitalized from 1983 from correct medication management & crisis intervention. I worked part/time from 1983- 2007 while also leading support groups with others. I received numerous awards for work accomplishments and teaching the group members management skills for their mental disease. I picked up jewelry design in 2001 from memories of my past UP North Indian family second home where I learned to bead. This was my goal; to keep myself healthy and occupied when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and going through treatments. I ended up teaching beading activities to mentally challenged adult social groups year long, including many other types of groups; from kids to seniors. I also was gifted with volunteering for a charitable beauty pageants designer and model. 
My mom passed away in 2013 and I slipped on ice and broke my arm in a length of two days; Christmas Day. I decided my work was limited and maybe I need to dream a bit.  Jewelry design is my passion and I continue to display my pieces, design, consult and mentor. I was privileged to learn, from an Ojibwe American Indian as a teen;, one bead, one stitch. I was in awe, totally.

My advocacy Credits go to my mom, Eve, GROW, SA, NAMI Dupage, NAMI National, WDSRA and Marni, E Fuller Torrey, AA, MDDA, WHO, The Pope, Mother Teresa and her sisters, the Dalai Lama. Nancy Ging, The Wellness House, Greek Restaurant owners and friends, my doctors and therapists, my Democratic family and the Walsh Institute (now Mensah Institute) LOLC and classical musicians. It was quoted to me, "It can't be done". "There's no cure for Mental Illness". We did it.