Schizophrenia Sucks-Support Melanie Armantrout
Donation protected
10 years ago today, the people of Coloma and Garden Valley lost a pillar of the community. Stevie Armantrout was a devoted father and husband, a true friend, and a generous man who was best known for his sincerity, sense of humor, infectious loud laugh and an ability to have a conversation with anyone. He was an accomplished whitewater river guide and surfer, and a mentor to many. He had the ability to make each person in his life feel special.
There were two great loves in his life; his wife Amy and his daughter Melanie. Amy was his soulmate and his rock. Their home was filled with love and laughter.
They are now in desperate need of financial assistance as Melanie has developed schizophrenia.
Melanie’s intelligence, beauty, wit and athletic talent made her stand out in a crowd. In the late 1990’s, she was one of the first women’s professional snowboarders in the country. She shared the love of river guiding and surfing with her dad, earned a college degree, and had a career in interior design. Stevie and Melanie were very close, and she was devastated by his death.
Melanie married a year after Stevie’s death, and shortly thereafter, suffered from toxic mold poisoning in their apartment, which almost ended her life. As medical diagnosis of this condition is difficult, she visited 9 doctors before the illness was diagnosed. She was left disillusioned with western medicine, and has not seen a medical doctor since. Over a couple of years, she healed with loving support of her husband, family and friends. However, during this time, her mental health began to steadily deteriorate.
In October 2015, at age 39 Melanie was arrested in Arizona. She drove from Southern California, and upon arrival there, she became fearful, abandoning her car at a local farm, leaving her purse, keys and jacket behind. She broke the window at a car dealership thinking that she saw her purse inside. Police responded to the alarm, and she fled. She was found the next day terrified, with torn clothes and no shoes. She was held at the local jail for 2.5 weeks since she would not divulge her identity. At the jail, a psychiatrist spoke with her daily. State regulations did not allow him to make an official diagnosis, but the doctor was able to reveal to Amy that a hypothetical person, similar to Melanie, was most likely schizophrenic.
Amy brought Melanie back to Placerville, where she tried to work, but was unable to keep a job. She was arrested three times for intoxication, but did not test positive for alcohol. Unfortunately, law enforcement released her and did not order psych evaluations.
At this point, her progressive mental and physical deterioration resulted in her need for Amy’s loving support. As her only caregiver, and unable to bear the cost of living in California, they moved to Michigan, where they now live more affordably, renting an apartment from family.
Melanie is now terrified of water, despite her past love for whitewater rafting and surfing. She is afraid to visit relatives with a home on the lakeshore. She is also fearful washing machines, which leaves her unable to wash her own clothes. Her fear of objects and nature gradually worsens. She has conversations with people only she can see, and laughs inappropriately. Socially, she is unable to hold a conversation for more than a few minutes. Physically, her balance has deteriorated to a point at which she can no longer ride a bicycle, which was her main source of transportation. She suffers from headaches, has depth perception problems and an enlarged stomach. Melanie is a kind soul, is not aggressive, and is very loving during her lucid moments.
The unofficial psychiatric diagnosis in Arizona, support from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and observation of professional social workers, reveals that Melanie clearly fits the profile for schizophrenia. She also has a history of mental illness on both sides of the family. Mental health and legal professionals have indicated that the only way to receive an official diagnosis, is for her to be arrested and held for psychiatric evaluation, showing that she is a danger to herself or others. Because of this lack of diagnosis, Melanie is in a grey zone. Her illness has robbed her of the ability to make the rational decision to seek treatment and federal assistance. Legal protection of her personal rights makes it impossible for Amy to become her legal guardian.
Amy just turned 71 and her social security benefits don’t cover their living costs. She works two jobs, including a graveyard shift. They live paycheck to paycheck with virtually no safety net. She is exhausted, but maintains a profoundly positive attitude. She is grateful to be physically able to work. However, she worries about the day that she is not able to sustain this lifestyle, and is even more fearful of how Melanie will be financially supported after her death. Family will help with caregiving, but cannot support her financially.
Amy currently has less than $2,000 in her savings account. Income from her second job pays into savings and a monthly life insurance premium to provide for Melanie after her death. Her estimated life insurance premium for the next 15 years is $38,500.
Melanie’s mental illness has resulted in isolation from friends, and divorce from a husband who continues to be loving and supportive. We grieve for the loss of the person she once was. We hope that she will one day gain access to medical treatment and federal assistance.
On this day, 10 years after Stevie’s passing, we ask for donations to help the two greatest loves of his life. Our goal is to raise $35,000 to cover life insurance premiums for the next 15 years. Together, as we have helped others in our worldwide river community before, we can make it happen. Every donation counts, no matter how small the amount. If you can donate $10, or any multiple of 10 above that, you will be making a big difference in Melanie’s future.
There were two great loves in his life; his wife Amy and his daughter Melanie. Amy was his soulmate and his rock. Their home was filled with love and laughter.
They are now in desperate need of financial assistance as Melanie has developed schizophrenia.
Melanie’s intelligence, beauty, wit and athletic talent made her stand out in a crowd. In the late 1990’s, she was one of the first women’s professional snowboarders in the country. She shared the love of river guiding and surfing with her dad, earned a college degree, and had a career in interior design. Stevie and Melanie were very close, and she was devastated by his death.
Melanie married a year after Stevie’s death, and shortly thereafter, suffered from toxic mold poisoning in their apartment, which almost ended her life. As medical diagnosis of this condition is difficult, she visited 9 doctors before the illness was diagnosed. She was left disillusioned with western medicine, and has not seen a medical doctor since. Over a couple of years, she healed with loving support of her husband, family and friends. However, during this time, her mental health began to steadily deteriorate.
In October 2015, at age 39 Melanie was arrested in Arizona. She drove from Southern California, and upon arrival there, she became fearful, abandoning her car at a local farm, leaving her purse, keys and jacket behind. She broke the window at a car dealership thinking that she saw her purse inside. Police responded to the alarm, and she fled. She was found the next day terrified, with torn clothes and no shoes. She was held at the local jail for 2.5 weeks since she would not divulge her identity. At the jail, a psychiatrist spoke with her daily. State regulations did not allow him to make an official diagnosis, but the doctor was able to reveal to Amy that a hypothetical person, similar to Melanie, was most likely schizophrenic.
Amy brought Melanie back to Placerville, where she tried to work, but was unable to keep a job. She was arrested three times for intoxication, but did not test positive for alcohol. Unfortunately, law enforcement released her and did not order psych evaluations.
At this point, her progressive mental and physical deterioration resulted in her need for Amy’s loving support. As her only caregiver, and unable to bear the cost of living in California, they moved to Michigan, where they now live more affordably, renting an apartment from family.
Melanie is now terrified of water, despite her past love for whitewater rafting and surfing. She is afraid to visit relatives with a home on the lakeshore. She is also fearful washing machines, which leaves her unable to wash her own clothes. Her fear of objects and nature gradually worsens. She has conversations with people only she can see, and laughs inappropriately. Socially, she is unable to hold a conversation for more than a few minutes. Physically, her balance has deteriorated to a point at which she can no longer ride a bicycle, which was her main source of transportation. She suffers from headaches, has depth perception problems and an enlarged stomach. Melanie is a kind soul, is not aggressive, and is very loving during her lucid moments.
The unofficial psychiatric diagnosis in Arizona, support from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and observation of professional social workers, reveals that Melanie clearly fits the profile for schizophrenia. She also has a history of mental illness on both sides of the family. Mental health and legal professionals have indicated that the only way to receive an official diagnosis, is for her to be arrested and held for psychiatric evaluation, showing that she is a danger to herself or others. Because of this lack of diagnosis, Melanie is in a grey zone. Her illness has robbed her of the ability to make the rational decision to seek treatment and federal assistance. Legal protection of her personal rights makes it impossible for Amy to become her legal guardian.
Amy just turned 71 and her social security benefits don’t cover their living costs. She works two jobs, including a graveyard shift. They live paycheck to paycheck with virtually no safety net. She is exhausted, but maintains a profoundly positive attitude. She is grateful to be physically able to work. However, she worries about the day that she is not able to sustain this lifestyle, and is even more fearful of how Melanie will be financially supported after her death. Family will help with caregiving, but cannot support her financially.
Amy currently has less than $2,000 in her savings account. Income from her second job pays into savings and a monthly life insurance premium to provide for Melanie after her death. Her estimated life insurance premium for the next 15 years is $38,500.
Melanie’s mental illness has resulted in isolation from friends, and divorce from a husband who continues to be loving and supportive. We grieve for the loss of the person she once was. We hope that she will one day gain access to medical treatment and federal assistance.
On this day, 10 years after Stevie’s passing, we ask for donations to help the two greatest loves of his life. Our goal is to raise $35,000 to cover life insurance premiums for the next 15 years. Together, as we have helped others in our worldwide river community before, we can make it happen. Every donation counts, no matter how small the amount. If you can donate $10, or any multiple of 10 above that, you will be making a big difference in Melanie’s future.
Organizer and beneficiary
Janeen Stewart
Organizer
Fornis, CA
Amy Armantrout
Beneficiary