Week in Review 6 & 7 – Some things take a little more time I started writing last week’s week in review and then things just kept on happening that needed a little more time and required a little more attention. That’s life; it happens. So this week’s week in review is a double feature. Jeffry Stijn Foundation Purpose Foundation One of the things that took a little time was to formulate the purpose of the Foundation. After a brainstorm session with the Foundation’s council of sages, it was formulated as follows: The purpose of the Jeffry Sijn Foundation for…
Tag: treatment abroad
It’s Chronic and Complex
The Week in Review Week 5 This past week has been all about things being chronic and complex. Both when it comes to the Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy and when it comes to living with metal illness in a small society with limited resources. As well as for me personally, both as a professional and as a mental health patient. Jeffry Stijn Foundation When it comes to the work of the foundation it’s all been about adding information about trauma and all its forms. Basic information about acute trauma, chronic trauma, complex trauma and covert…
Complaint Respaldo
When I first started at Respaldo, Aruba’s National Mental Health Foundation, I was immediately informed that there probably wouldn’t be fitting treatment for me here on the island. That I’d have to move abroad. Or try to get sent abroad for medical treatment. I was informed that the chances of that happening would be pretty much non-existent. As residential mobility is my root, unresolved and as yet still untreated trauma, I decided to go for the latter option. Why add to an already existing trauma and make myself worse, when there is another option? One that would allow me to…
Service Animals: The quest to get my doggos certified
Ever since I got the okay to be sent abroad for treatment, I have been trying to find out how to get my dogs, Azula and Monroe, certified as service dogs, or at least emotional support animals. Initially I was told by Respaldo that they knew of one person who had managed it. This was in October 2022. A few days ago I finally manged to get in touch with the person in question. Unfortunately it tuns out that he started his dog’s training here in Aruba, but finished it in the US. Where he got the certification for service…
Week in Review 3 – back to basics
The past few days have all been about going back to basics. Basic explanations about incredibly complex subjects. Basic ideas that will be the cornerstones of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation for Mental Health and Patient Advocacy. And the basic fact that I really need to put my mental health first, and consciously focus on self-care. Back to basics: Providing information I’ve been focusing a lot on providing basic information about incredibly complex subjects. After things like the difference between mental health and mental illness in general, then delving into the basics of mental illness, now it’s time to try and…
Week in Review 2 – I’m late, I’m late, I’m very, very late
For all you Alice in Wonderland fans, I’m sure you recognize this. The White Rabbit running around with his pocket watch, hurriedly exclaiming, “I’m late, I’m late, I’m very, very late!”. The whole I planned and God laughed theme just kept right on, right onning, this week. So here’s the week in review week 2. Or more accurately, the week in review part 2.5 because, well, I’m late. The Foundation The good The biggest news: The site has finally migrated to WordPress. Of course I would’ve built this site directly in WordPress if I hadn’t listened to the “authority”. I…
4 Years and 9 months for an online intake for possible fitting treatment
I have cPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder). I have probably suffered from it since pre-school. Though I was treated in my mid twenties for PTSD in the Netherlands (e.g. my acute traumatic experiences), I was not diagnosed with cPTSD till 2019. It’s taken 4 years and 9 months to get to an online intake for possible fitting treatment abroad. I realized I was heading toward a complete breakdown halfway through 2018. I informed my employer, and asked to come up with solutions in order to prevent said break down. My boss suggested I quit. I protected myself and called…
A perfect inaugural day
Today was a day of firsts. The first forms filled out for the incorporation of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation. The first pages of its site live. The first emails sent and received bearing a logo. The first day I became the founder of something I truly and passionately believe in. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Julie, I live in Aruba. Though I am Dutch by birth, I’m international by parentage and past residency. I love dancing, reading and writing. I love learning new things. My home is besieged by pets, filled with books, surrounded by greenery. My…
