#Project I Am Not Ashamed
Donation protected
My name is Ross Trowbridge. I have Borderline Personality Disorder and am not ashamed. I have had this disorder for my entire adult life but wasn't properly diagnosed until July of 2015. It has been a very rough last few years with some ups and some pretty severe downs. At one point I was in bed for 23 hours a day for about 5 months straight with severe suicidal ideation--just hanging on to life. This led to the loss of everything I had and a near suicide attempt last year.
Everyone needs a moment of clarity at times in their lives and that is exactly what I received late last year. I decided it was time to put everything I had into managing this disorder, stop making excuses for myself and regain control over my life again.
I work my butt off each day to maintain manageability of BPD. As I always say, I never took a day off from being sick so I have no reason to take one off in recovery. I started holding myself accountable for my mistakes. Past, present and future. I decided I was no longer going to pin them on mental illness. At that point, my life changed. I started making choices that led to healthier thinking which led to healthier emotions, which then led to healthier behaviors. But the biggest impact that has occurred in my life in recovery is finding my purpose.
I firmly believe that my purpose is to help myself by helping others. I have a voice and the ability to communicate that voice. I have passion for mental health, advocacy and educating the public and putting a face and a name to mental illness.
Back on February 17th, 2018 I launched a mental health initiative called #Project I Am Not Ashamed. This project takes those with mental illness (and those who are supporters of those with mental illness) out on to the streets in their communities (or surrounding communities--whatever they are most comfortable with) on August 18th. It gives them an opportunity to shed their masks, be real, face fears as well as vulnerability. Equally important is that it gives us the opportunity to educate the general public about mental illness. The concept originated from when I participated in this same activity when homeless on the streets of Des Moines, Iowa 2 years ago.
As of June 24th we have participants in 28 states, 96 cities and 14 countries confirmed to go out into their communities with their sign. I am living and breathing this project and putting everything I have into gaining as much exposure as possible. In order to do that, I am in need of your help. I am actively searching for work so I have no resources to contribute towards this project. Funds will go directly to the support, marketing and promotion of the project. Business cards, flyers, an upgrade to the website and pay per click advertising on Facebook and Twitter are just a handful of examples of where your money will go.
Please see the link to the website at www.projectiamnotashamed.com for more details. Please help me help others. Please help stop this stigma-one person at a time.
Thank you.
Ross
Ross Trowbridge
[email redacted]
Twitter:@bpdinwaterloo
Everyone needs a moment of clarity at times in their lives and that is exactly what I received late last year. I decided it was time to put everything I had into managing this disorder, stop making excuses for myself and regain control over my life again.
I work my butt off each day to maintain manageability of BPD. As I always say, I never took a day off from being sick so I have no reason to take one off in recovery. I started holding myself accountable for my mistakes. Past, present and future. I decided I was no longer going to pin them on mental illness. At that point, my life changed. I started making choices that led to healthier thinking which led to healthier emotions, which then led to healthier behaviors. But the biggest impact that has occurred in my life in recovery is finding my purpose.
I firmly believe that my purpose is to help myself by helping others. I have a voice and the ability to communicate that voice. I have passion for mental health, advocacy and educating the public and putting a face and a name to mental illness.
Back on February 17th, 2018 I launched a mental health initiative called #Project I Am Not Ashamed. This project takes those with mental illness (and those who are supporters of those with mental illness) out on to the streets in their communities (or surrounding communities--whatever they are most comfortable with) on August 18th. It gives them an opportunity to shed their masks, be real, face fears as well as vulnerability. Equally important is that it gives us the opportunity to educate the general public about mental illness. The concept originated from when I participated in this same activity when homeless on the streets of Des Moines, Iowa 2 years ago.
As of June 24th we have participants in 28 states, 96 cities and 14 countries confirmed to go out into their communities with their sign. I am living and breathing this project and putting everything I have into gaining as much exposure as possible. In order to do that, I am in need of your help. I am actively searching for work so I have no resources to contribute towards this project. Funds will go directly to the support, marketing and promotion of the project. Business cards, flyers, an upgrade to the website and pay per click advertising on Facebook and Twitter are just a handful of examples of where your money will go.
Please see the link to the website at www.projectiamnotashamed.com for more details. Please help me help others. Please help stop this stigma-one person at a time.
Thank you.
Ross
Ross Trowbridge
[email redacted]
Twitter:@bpdinwaterloo
Organizer and beneficiary
Ross Trowbridge
Organizer
Cedar Falls, IA
Jennifer Buckhahn
Beneficiary
