DETROIT, Mich., May 19 Patrick Hendry lost his career, home, wife and his sense of self because of bipolar disorder. He spent seven years in and out of the hospital, trying every medication available. He was desperate; he even went so far as trying electro-convulsive therapy, similar to shock therapy.
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"That was a confusing, scary and trying time in my life. You feel hopeless and lost," said Hendry. "It's difficult to figure out what to do or where to go next."
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After years of frustration, doctor's visits and lots of different medications, he began to understand the disorder and that's when he decided to begin working as a mental health advocate after 16 years as a gem dealer and prior to that, a filmmaker. "That's when I got back control of my life," said Hendry. "So it's only fitting that I come to this one-of-a-kind international conference being held in Detroit and tell my story!"
Hendry, along with 100 panelists and moderators and 800 attendees, will be in Detroit next week, attending the International Conference on Self-Determination, May 27-28th at the GM Marriott located in the Renaissance Center. Hendry is a panelist in a session related to budgeting, fiscal management and peer supports.
"I want people to know that recovery is possible and that people need to understand how to be in charge of their lives and how to take control," said Hendry who is now the Executive Director of the Florida Peer Network, a non-profit for people with psychiatric disabilities and disorders. "Self-direction should be the primary way that we provide mental health care in the United States. "The combination of choice, independence, responsibility and self-esteem is invaluable in recovery."
Hendry has also just edited and published a book telling the stories of recovery of many Florida residents.
There is still time to register for this cross-disability, precedent-setting conference where changing the human service structure will be discussed by people from across the globe. Please log onto, www.self-determination.com for more information.
SOURCE Community Living Services, Inc.
