The short version: yes the first week was successful – both for the Jeffry Stijn Foundation and me personally. But it came with a LOT of unexpected twists and turns!
What’s that saying? We plan and God laughs? For the first week of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation my plans were pretty simple. Basic start-up things needed for any new venture.
Begin the process of incorporating the foundation at the notary. Pay the deposit for the notary. Put on paper the ideas that have been rattling around in my brain for more than a decade as the basis for things such as the articles of incorporation and business plan. Think of things such as mission, vision and organization. Draft a budget. Make an outline of short-, mid- and long term goals for the Foundation. Approach people on my ‘short list’ of 15 people I thought would be suitable to become part of the Supervisory Board.
Invest in a domain, email address, accounting software. Create a site map as an outline for the site, start writing content. Set-up social media accounts such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Start blogging. Share the blog with my social circle.
In short, nothing terribly different from what I’ve done professionally or personally for others, just this time, for myself.
I went live with the site, added basic content such as:
What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness
Answers to frequently asked questions about mental illness
Started the resources section with resources in Aruba and a glossary
Posted information about the Foundation such as why I chose the name Jeffry Stijn and a bit of background about me
Wrote my inaugural blog post and its follow-up.
Wrote an overview of my personal journey to finding fitting treatment for cPTSD.
Three amazing people have agreed to be on my Supervisory Board. And the rest of my “list” has been checked as well.
I figured I’d get MAYBE 50 hits and 10 responses. All very doable.
On the personal front I also had a few things planned. My first online intake for possible treatment and making sure I got my car back, which I should have gotten back fixed half of February.
[Insert booming laughter in Morgan Freeman’s voice here]
Firstly the permanent representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (yes, that includes Aruba) to the United Nations was at the University of Aruba to discuss Human Rights. The session was open to members of the community. Despite barely being able to leave the house due to the severity of my cPTSD, and not having my own transportation, I managed to go.
It did not go as planned.
But it did put something sharply into focus. There’s a long way to go before patient- and human rights are a natural and integral part of society. I had planned on addressing these issues in a few years. But apparently the universe decided the time is NOW.
Secondly it became apparent that the activists trying to fight for human rights have been running into the same things. To name a few:
Lots of support from individuals for causes in private, but not many who concretely step up
Extreme backlash for speaking out – to the point of being physically restrained, assaulted and intimidated just for asking questions. Not to mention the economic impact of parties interfering with their future careers. Freedom of speech comes at a heavy price.
The lack of funds and concrete know-how when it comes to incorporating NGO’s, Foundations and Associations. Also the lack of suitable board members, both by qualification, integrity and willingness to stand up to government or large special interest groups.
Pfff. Heavy stuff! Thus Human Rights Activists Aruba was born. Definitely not a first week plan. Stay tuned…
For the Jeffry Stijn Foundation I reached goals I was hoping to maybe reach after its inaugural year. The private outreach and support have been staggering. The number of unique visits to the site, the amount of sessions and their demographics are way beyond the 50 I was expecting. By about 20-fold.
The amount of people from my past or acquaintance circle who have reached out in private with similar stories is astonishing. Most are not ‘out’ when it comes to their mental illness for fear of reprisals when it comes to their career opportunities, their social environment and their own well-being.
For a lot of them I have been the first they dared to share their stories with.
But I’ve also had completely unexpected messages from perfect strangers, who have run into the same things. The stigma is so great, and the economic and social impact so vast that they dare not speak out, even in private.
Parents faced with sons or daughters struggling with mental health issues, who want to help and understand their children, but have few persons in their sphere to really talk to about what they are facing, how to support their loved ones AND deal with their own personal fears surrounding the situation.
It breaks my heart AND makes the need for the Jeffry Stijn Foundation that much more apparent.
Most everyone thinks my decision to publicly come ‘out’ is brave, but dangerous. They’re willing to talk in private, willing to seek help privately, but in a lot of cases not even their closest family and friends, let stand their employers, know which struggles they face.
On the personal front there is much to share, but it will keep. This week I have been dealing with questions of autonomy, the boundaries I set in personal relationships being consistently crossed, fighting ignorance and discrimination, just to name a few. On the bright side the relationship with my mother and close friends has deepend, and I am finding my tribe. I managed to get out of the house, and though not all were positive experiences, the ones that were, were incredibly meaningful.
And I had my first online intake with a possible treatment center.
Phew. Quite a lot right? Even for someone without mental health struggles.
I’d like to let you, dear reader, know what I had planned for week 2, but….well I think I already hear snickering in the sky.
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