A Powerful Story That Impacts Every one of us

The healing power of feeling "Yes! That's what it's like to me, too!" is the driving force behind NAMI Coastal's "You are not alone" mission and the core theme of the production "Let Me Tell You What It's Really Like". This incredible one-act play shares the true, compelling story of how a mental illness will affect not only the person, but those who love them as well. It's the tale of Jennifer and Kate Ives, and NAMI Coastal wants to help share it with as many as possible.

Kate and Jen live in northern Virginia and have used not only their personal, poignant experiences with mental illness but their skills as theatrical story-tellers to craft this production. At times humorous, often poignant and always completely candid, they pull back the curtains surrounding those who experience all of the elements that make living so very, very hard for everyone involved.

They wrote, produced, and share this story on stage, and now we have the opportunity to professionally film it. In video form, these dynamic sisters will be poised to share it far beyond geographical limits. NAMI Coastal Virginia, in cooperation with Zeiders American Dream Theater, will make that film a reality in 2024. We are seeking compassionate, modest contributions to help defray the cost. Anything you'd care to share will help put this story - which really needs to be told - within reach of thousands. At a recent live production of "Let Me Tell You What It's Really Like" we watched the dozens of people in the audience who, like Jen and Kate, find themselves in this club that no one wants to join. To a person, the nods, smiles and tears confirm the show's power and resonance. Please help us share this as widely as possible.