JANE SAYS .. chapter22

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Chapter 22 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Marissa Varcho <[email protected]>

Mental-Health Consumer Perspective

Alan Johnson <[email protected]> Wed, Jan 22, 2014 at 9:34 PM

To: Marissa Varcho <[email protected]>

Marissa,

I apologize for not replying before to your email. I was busy but that's no excuse....

I'm glad to have met and talked with you today. I will view the DVD you gave me tonight.

If you don't mind, I will get in touch again if I have questions.

Thanks,

Alan Johnson

________________________________________

From: Marissa Varcho [[email protected]]

Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2014 11:25 AM

To: Cathy Candisky

Cc: Alan Johnson

Subject: Mental-Health Consumer Perspective

[Quoted text hidden]

[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

http://thecultivationofbeauty.com

http://janesaysrise.com


Mental-Health Legislation - Interview Follow Up Materials

Marissa Varcho <[email protected]> Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 9:29 AMTo: [email protected]: Marissa Varcho <[email protected]>, Geoffrey Collver <[email protected]>

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the follow up ;0) I appreciate it, and I think the most important part is that we were finally able toconnect. I am so grateful-- more than I can express fully in words today.

I wanted to follow up in response, and first let you know, I would be happy to answer any questions you haverelating to my own mental-illness and struggles relating to same, Ohio's pending mental-health legislation, myideas for the compromise I think we could create out of the pending legislation, etc., etc.

I didn't hear Senator Coley say they were voting the amended legislation out of committee next week - I must havebeen zoned out or something. I don't really know why he wants to meet with me on Monday in that case--I can'tsee how any of my ideas for the compromise could even be incorporated into the legislation in a matter of two daysprior to voting the bill out of committee. It makes me wonder whether he just didn't want me speaking in front ofeveryone in committee... I mean, I have no idea. It just seemed strange to me, is all. It's tough, trying to figurethese legislators intentions...

But in any case, I think the only way a compromise would be possible, would be to figure out some way to get thelegislature to slow down and take their time on the issue, to actually craft some meaningful legislation. I knowhow we can fix this, but I can't tell them if they don't want to take the time to listen.

So, it's kind of out of my hands at this point - in terms of the personal power I have to exercise with the legislature. I'm hoping if there's any way you are able to get an article published in the Dispatch on Sunday, maybe it mightbring public awareness to the issue and put some pressure on these legislators to slow down and do the right thing. I'm not opposed to taking swift action at all-- I just want the action taken to be helpful, both short-term and long-term. What's been proposed to-date, as is, threatens great harm sociologically, as it poses significant danger toour mentally-ill population.

Also, I heard you mention a comment in passing at the interview about the good intentions of Terry Russell. At therisk of alienation, I want to point out anyway, that Terry's position on the pending legislation represents a conflict-of-interest. NAMI-Ohio says that it represents "the voice of mental-illness in the State of Ohio" but, when you stripaway the nonsense, you can begin to see the conflict-of-interest between the mentally-ill and their family members. NAMI-Ohio represents the best-interests of family-members, not the best interests of our mentally-ill populationwhen the two are in conflict. I tried to communicate with Terry regarding the matter back in October 2013, but herefused to respond. I wrote about that in my House paper back in November 2013. I'll attach the emails I had senthim though, so you can get a picture of what went on "behind the scenes", leading up to the House paper Isubmitted.

And then lastly, I really really appreciate that you are willing to take the time to watch the video I prepared for theOhio Senate CJC this past week. I tried to cover all the basic issues going on behind-the-scenes for the mentally-ill, that people in our society just generally don't understand. If you have any feedback, I would greatly appreciateit. If there was some way I could figure to get that video in front of our community for viewing, I think it would go along way in helping to reframe the issue. And really, I think that's the only way it is even going to be possible toresolve this issue-- to first, get rid of this stigma...it's just so suffocating.

Anyways, sorry this is so long. I have been told I have a tendency to go on and on ;0) So, I'm working on that...

One final note in closing though-- I don't know if you are aware, but I think it's New Albany high school,Johnston I think in New Albany here in Columbus - they've had 5 teenage suicides already in just the past year.

I'm worried sick about our kids...they're just falling left and right. So, while I may have no idea what I am doing

legislatively-speaking-- I just can't ethically sit aside and do nothing, knowing full well that we have children who

are dying in the meantime. I want to save them...but it's like I find conflict-of-interest and consequential

resistance no matter which way I turn.

So anyway-- it's been a frustrating process, but I'm hopeful your article may be able to help shift the focus in the

conversation. I'll keep trudging forward either way, but any awareness that you can bring to the issue, I want you

to know personally, is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time, with any questions. I will help you in any way that I can.

Sincerely,

Marissa

Marissa K. Varcho

4799 Seven Lakes Place

Powell, Ohio 43065

(614) 633-5155

[email protected]



9 attachments

Letter to Chairman--MKV S.B.pdf34K

MKV-SB43 Written Testimony (final).pdf230K

MKV Proposal Memorandum 10.22.13.pdf109K

10.25.13 MKV Email to Terry Russell, NAMI Ohio re S.B.43 Concerns.pdf218K

Ohio S.B.43 Questionnaire--submitted to NAMI Ohio.pdf1056K

10.30.13 Email to Terry Russell - re refusal to respond.pdf665K

MKV HB104 OPPOSITION.pdf179K

MKV-Opposition to SubHB104 Part D'eux.pdf68K

MKV Ohio CJC WT Jan2014.pdf162K



Alan Johnson <[email protected]> Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 9:39 AM

To: Marissa Varcho <[email protected]>

Hello, Marissa,

I was very moved by your video. It was very emotional and gave me more insight into your struggles.

As for discerning legislative intent, don’t bother. I’ve covered the legislature for more than 20 years and

sometimes what they do, and how they do it, makes no sense. The only way to approach it is to provide your

input and work to see that the outcome is the best possible.

The intent of my story is to focus attention on the issue. I won’t take sides either way. But the input from

yesterday is every important in providing the balance to those who support the proposal.

I will be in touch.

Thanks,

Alan

From: Marissa Varcho [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2014 9:32 AMTo: Alan JohnsonSubject: Re: Mental-Health Consumer Perspective




Marissa Varcho <[email protected]> Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 12:20 PM

To: Alan Johnson <[email protected]>

Hi Alan,

I apologize...I didn't mean to infer that I wanted you to pick a side. I am capable to argue my own position-- it's

just that it makes no difference in any case, if no one's listening. Hence the great appreciation...

I'm looking forward to reading your work this Sunday. And thank you again for watching my video-- I'm really just

kind of blown away. Your investment of time and open-minded willingness to listen is overwhelming. Such

generosity is rare, and of the type that reaches beyond any material measure of value. I am so grateful.

Sincerely,

Marissa

Sent from my iPad



video

Marissa Varcho <[email protected]> Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 12:52 PMTo: Geoffrey Collver <[email protected]>Bcc: Marissa Varcho <[email protected]>

Geoff,

He watched the whole video ;0) Fingers crossed... ;0/

!!

Marissa K. Varcho

[email protected]



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JANE SAYS .. chapter22