Hear our Stories
Our digital storytelling series highlights the lived experience of individuals with mental health conditions and developmental disabilities. This effort aims to raise awareness and educate the public on best practices when it comes to working with this population.
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MHDD Digital Storytelling Series: Consuelo's Story
Al hijo de Consuelo le diagnosticaron autismo cuando tenía siete años. En este episodio, Consuelo habla sobre los desafíos que enfrentaron ella y su hijo, como obtener apoyo en la escuela y perder su seguro médico. También cuenta los apoyos que la han ayudado y cómo mudarse a un nuevo país puede traer oportunidades y también algunas dificultades.
Consuelo’s son was diagnosed with autism when he was seven years old. In this episode, Consuelo talks about challenges she and her son faced such as getting support in school and losing their health insurace. She also tells about what supports have helped her and how moving to a new country can bring with it opportunity as well as some difficulties. -
Mecha's Story Part One: Mecha’s Initial Feelings and Thoughts When Hearing Her Son’s Diagnosis
Mecha talks about what she learned as the parent of a child with a disability and what she wishes she knew earlier, such as her rights with the school system. She also talks about challenges she faced because of language barriers and how grateful she was for her family’s support, even from outside of the United States.
Mecha habla de lo que aprendió como madre de un niño con discapacidad y de lo que le gustaría saber antes, como sus derechos con el sistema escolar. También habla sobre los desafíos que enfrentó debido a las barreras del idioma y lo agradecida que estaba por el apoyo de su familia, incluso desde fuera de los Estados Unidos. -
Blanca's Story Part One: Why Blanca Came to the US and Her Initial Response to Her Child's Diagnosis
Advertencia de contenido: este episodio contiene contenido potencialmente perturbador o desencadenante. Antes de continuar, tenga en cuenta que Blanca habla sobre el abuso sexual cuando comparte su historia.
Descripción: En este episodio, Blanca habla de su experiencia como madre de un niño con una discapacidad del desarrollo y las preocupaciones que ha tenido. Ella comparte sobre los desafíos que ha enfrentado al acceder a los servicios tanto para su hija como para ella misma. Blanca también habla sobre los efectos que las percepciones culturales pueden tener en la obtención de ayuda y cómo en todas las culturas duele que alguien sea juzgado.
Content Warning: This episode contains potentially disturbing or triggering content. Before continuing, please be aware that Blanca discusses sexual abuse when sharing her story.
Description: In this episode, Blanca discusses her experience as the mother of a child with a developmental disability and what concerns she has had. She shares about what challenges she has faced with accessing services both for daughter and herself. Blanca also tells about the effects cultural perceptions can have on getting help and how in every culture it hurts someone to be judged. -
Erin's Story Part One: Differences and Similarities | "All of Me"
In this episode, Erin Miller from Wisconsin discusses mental health and disabilities from multiple points of view, including her own. She breaks down how realizing the specific needs of each individual allows us to accurately provide care and accessibility to services and the community. This takes weighing the similarities and differences between all people – notably those with developmental or physical disabilities, mental health disorders, or any combination of the three – and critical understanding of each person’s situation. Listen through the whole story to hear a guest voiceover from Erin’s colleague, Disability Rights Activist Morénike Giwa Onaiwu. She emphasizes the importance of giving one an opportunity to bring their whole self to every instance and obstacle in life. -
Lukas' Story Part One: About Lukas and His Thoughts on His Diagnoses and Disabilities
Lukas is a Cold War Veteran living in Hyden, Kentucky. In adolescence, he was falsely diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression. The resulting traumas left him with PTSD to confront throughout a childhood and young adulthood in both Germany and the U.S. He was also diagnosed with Asperger's in the last decade - but Lukas does not view this as a problem. From his house tucked at the top of the small mountain at the center of town - he serves his community via the Red Cross. These efforts earned him the prestigious Volunteer of the Year award in 2020. He is now a clinical psychotherapist with a private practice in town, actively serving the people around him in multiple ways. Lukas believes that all people have a purpose to serve in life. -
Isabel's Story Part One: About Isabel and How Anxiety Affected Her
In this digital storytelling episode, Isabel talks about her personal experiences with anxiety and as a caregiver when anxiety began affecting her son. Isabel also discusses how Mexico and the United States differ in their perception of mental health and the effect this had on her. She shares many things she learned on her journey and speaks out against misconceptions.
En este episodio, Isabel habla de sus experiencias personales con la ansiedad y como cuidadora cuando la ansiedad comenzó a afectar a su hijo. Isabel también analiza cómo México y Estados Unidos difieren en su percepción de la salud mental y el efecto que esto tuvo en ella. Ella comparte muchas cosas que aprendió en su viaje y habla en contra de los conceptos erróneos.