Mental Health Resource Fair - 9/11 Remembrance

[Lidig8r 1873]

Gentlemen, some on here may recall that eating disorders took my daughter in October 2016. My mental make up is such that the crushing grief manifested itself in a certain way. I have become a bit of a loose cannon, madman (so to speak) in the eating disorder community. Helping kids get into treatment. Fighting insurance companies. Writing frequent articles on the industry. Suing the National Eating Disorder Association for fraud. Along the way, I have collaborated with quite a few and have made some wonderful connections.

So, these connections and collaborations are coming together this upcoming Saturday, Sept. 11. On the 20th commemoration of 9/11, we are hosting a mental health resource fair in Addison. But, the event will have more of a "Morning in Central Park" vibe to it. The Revelers Hall Band is giving a free concert (N'awlins type jazz band), power yoga, fishing in Prestonwood Pond, games and oh yes... about 40 mental health resource tables. The Addison Fire Department is going to send an apparatus after their event concludes. The idea is to get people to come out, have some fun and oh by the way, if anyone is curious, there will be many resources and people who can help right there.

So, come one come all.

And, if we can even help one person, one person in need ... then, is there anything better in life than that?

And, we are still looking for volunteers to help set up exhibitor's tables and chairs early Saturday and break them down after the event. For those who can help, we will throw in an invitation to come to the VIP event on Friday night. Homemade Texas Bar-B-Q, a different jazz band, adult libations. Also, a military vet who was stationed at Andrews AFB on 9/11 is going to say a few words about what it was like that day at Andrews.

And afterwards ... you will be home in time to watch us pound the Hogs into mulch.

ANNOUNCE-INFO-NEW2.pdf Covid Protocols2.pdf

[Guest Lobo]

I am still so sorry for your loss of your baby girl.  Thank you for trying to do something positive in all of the fog and sorrow.  Everything you can do is a step in the right direction and all of us dads of daughters walk in your shadow.  

I'm nowhere near Addison but if I can help connect you and your efforts with the School of Social Work at UT-Arlington.....please let me know.  I've got some connectivity there and maybe they can be a long-term partner going forward.  They do incredible work and can focus efforts.  

Best wishes on your event this weekend.  God Bless.  

[Lidig8r 1873]

1 hour ago, Lobo said:

I am still so sorry for your loss of your baby girl.  Thank you for trying to do something positive in all of the fog and sorrow.  Everything you can do is a step in the right direction and all of us dads of daughters walk in your shadow.  

I'm nowhere near Addison but if I can help connect you and your efforts with the School of Social Work at UT-Arlington.....please let me know.  I've got some connectivity there and maybe they can be a long-term partner going forward.  They do incredible work and can focus efforts.  

Best wishes on your event this weekend.  God Bless.  

Lobo, that would be wonderful!  My email address is steven@dunnlawfirm.net. Would be incredible to get them involved. Mental health issues on our college campuses are skyrocketing.

[mchookem 16330]

i don't know you @Lidig8r but i recall your story vividly...and i have thought about you specifically many, many times the past 5 years...

my niece is what i suppose you could call 'in recovery' from anorexia..but only by a few months right now. the past 5 years have been quite harrowing and i don't know how it makes you feel to hear this but i have referred to your story many times with her as a means to get her to understand what she was doing to her body.

i hope that doesn't upset you to read that as that's obviously not my intent. i just thought you should know that your story is personally very relatable to me and i have used it to try and help my family. 

i wish i had had the nerve to reach out to you before, bc we encountered many difficulties and roadblocks at various points when seeking treatment and it sounds like you are all too familiar with all that. 

so...i am so incredibly sorry for your loss but i have felt an odd 'connection' to your story from the start. good bless you for trying to help others.

[Lidig8r 1873]

30 minutes ago, mchookem said:

i don't know you @Lidig8r but i recall your story vividly...and i have thought about you specifically many, many times the past 5 years...

my niece is what i suppose you could call 'in recovery' from anorexia..but only by a few months right now. the past 5 years have been quite harrowing and i don't know how it makes you feel to hear this but i have referred to your story many times with her as a means to get her to understand what she was doing to her body.

i hope that doesn't upset you to read that as that's obviously not my intent. i just thought you should know that your story is personally very relatable to me and i have used it to try and help my family. 

i wish i had had the nerve to reach out to you before, bc we encountered many difficulties and roadblocks at various points when seeking treatment and it sounds like you are all too familiar with all that. 

so...i am so incredibly sorry for your loss but i have felt an odd 'connection' to your story from the start. good bless you for trying to help others.

No, it doesn't upset me. To the contrary. It fills my heart with joy. If others can recover, or have Morgan give them more strength or courage or inspiration, then what a legacy my daughter is leaving. 3 weeks ago was her birthday. I published an article on her that day. Within 15 minutes after I did, I received this message:  "Hi Steven, I was a friend of Morgan’s. We were both at Remuda Ranch together. She touched me in more ways than I could possibly say. One memory I have is her borrowing all my headbands-she LOVED them for some reason even though they had to be some dollar tree 6 for 1 special. Morgan acted like me letting her borrow them was on par with gifting her a Chanel bag! I remember every morning she’d just stand at my door and without words, I knew she was there for her damn headband! It always made us giggle. She found the joy in the small things and even greater joy in connection with others. I miss her terribly. She’s in my dreams constantly and she inspired me to get a grasp on recovery. I’ve been in recovery for two years now and sober for 42 days. I realize I’m one the lucky ones and lately I’ve been drawn to the idea of giving back to those pursuing recovery or struggling with this disorder themselves. I am inspired by how you’ve turned tragedy into a crusade to raise awareness. I read your blog a lot, and am touched by every word. Just yesterday I found one of the headbands. Imagine my surprise to see it is sweet Morgan’s birthday. Happy birthday to an eternal soul. I’ll certainly never forget her."

If there is anything I can do for you, your family or anyone else struggling with this very misunderstood illness, I am there. I have connections nationwide with many of the treatment providers. I couldn't save my daughter. But, by God, if there are others I can help have a chance to live, who would I be if I did not do all I could?

All the best to you, your niece and your family. Hook 'em.

[Lidig8r 1873]

This is the bio of the veteran who will be speaking on Friday night at the VIP event. Can't wait to hear his recollection about what Andrews AFB was like on 9/11.

 

[Samson's Wig 3192]

I love the mental health resource fair idea.  You sound like a great father.  Keep up the great work - it makes a difference!

We lost my niece last December (different circumstances), and my sister has responded in similar fashion by channeling her grief into helping others.  She has a bill being introduced to Congress this month that she has busted her ass to get sponsored.  

[Lidig8r 1873]

The Agenda for Friday night

[Lidig8r 1873]

This is an "Almost Final" list of Exhibitors who will be appearing. Everything from eating disorders to Veteran's Mental Health Needs, Patriot Paws, Suicide Prevention, counselors, therapists, organizations with resources. We started putting this together in May ... Not May of last year, but this year. We were told it would not be possible. The generous hearts of volunteers overwhelm me!

[Guest Lobo]

Sorry for the delay.  These big schools move slow.  But please post how it goes this weekend and any other thoughts/feedback and I'll get you with these folks at UT-Arlington who have an outreach program in this space already, but could very nicely compliment your work (plus they bring  capital and a workforce).  I think you'd make a very effective team.  Again, this is a great thing you're doing, all the best this weekend and beyond.  Hope I can help a bit.  God bless.