tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post8995122500340351806..comments2023-07-18T07:27:08.516+00:00Comments on Siren Voices: man, sittingSpence Kennedyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-15110904292291586252009-11-17T22:01:53.689+00:002009-11-17T22:01:53.689+00:00Thanks DD! :)Thanks DD! :)Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-30512512914015974552009-11-17T10:25:51.937+00:002009-11-17T10:25:51.937+00:00So beautifully written. Love the line about the Ge...So beautifully written. Love the line about the Geneva convention/balance sheet, so exactly right. The poor, poor man - and his mother. At least he will now get some treatment - I hopeDulwich Divorceehttp://www.dulwichdivorcee.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-49758422971164351812009-11-16T21:51:31.959+00:002009-11-16T21:51:31.959+00:00Rach - It'd be great to know how things worked...Rach - It'd be great to know how things worked out. He did seem to have a supportive family, though, so hopefully that'll help.<br /><br />Jo - I know what you mean. You want to help, but the danger is that it turns into the kind of practically-based, generalised pep talk that doesn't take into account the very real 'substance' of the illness. <br /><br />Gia - Such a difficult area. It's easy for us, striding in / doing what we can / handing the patient over / striding out again. I don't think I'd be quite so bluff in a longer-term care situation. <br /><br />Thanks for all your comments!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-1219659374747091762009-11-16T08:14:43.027+00:002009-11-16T08:14:43.027+00:00Great post, Spence. Mental illness is such a vast...Great post, Spence. Mental illness is such a vast disease and comes in so many forms. Your compassion is commendable!Gia's Spothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482742283418885642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-1407412589842093032009-11-15T22:30:32.197+00:002009-11-15T22:30:32.197+00:00Hi Spence,
It's so hard watching a family memb...Hi Spence,<br />It's so hard watching a family member with mental illness, not knowing quite how to help.<br />xx jo<br /><br />P.S. You should see Clissold Park now. It's become very nice.lulu's missiveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137536605784710186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-66426969701485438072009-11-15T20:59:32.526+00:002009-11-15T20:59:32.526+00:00You certainly take us to some fascinating places S...You certainly take us to some fascinating places Spence, thanks for sharing the journey once again and I hope he gets the help he so obviously needs..xRachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05254109361061114465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-26630792440504654672009-11-15T18:47:15.236+00:002009-11-15T18:47:15.236+00:00Cogi - Thanks for that!
Liv - Events like these ...Cogi - Thanks for that! <br /><br />Liv - Events like these really do crash right through family life. Of course, as always, we only get a tiny snapshot of the circumstances. The mother obviously still cared about her son, but fear was her dominant emotion that night and she just wanted him safely away. Best thing for everyone, but horribly traumatic nonetheless.<br /><br />Kitty - It always seems so blunt and unsatisfactory having the police effectively arrest the patient and cart them off to the cells to see the duty psych, but there's nothing else available. Hospital isn't a place of safety (if the person is volatile / aggressive). It's a shame there's not a psych unit with a secure reception facility for acute cases (maybe there is in other parts of the country). Until they invent something better, the police have to step in for the welfare of the patient, relatives and the public. They do such a good job, speaking to the patient with a lot of humanity and understanding, whilst keeping an eye on what might develop. A difficult situation for them, too. <br /><br />Know what you mean about the Daily Mail! (I almost made a joke about it to Mrs Turnbull, but managed to bite my tongue...) <br /><br />Thanks for all your comments! xxSpence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-62442191928741986212009-11-15T17:21:02.188+00:002009-11-15T17:21:02.188+00:00Hi Spence, beautifully written as always. As some...Hi Spence, beautifully written as always. As someone who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, I always read the posts where you've had to deal with someone in those circumstances with great attention..it always strikes me that you're very caring and professional, despite often trying circumstances. I must confess though that I get terrified reading these posts sometimes..I hope I never end up in such a state.<br /><br />That said..I do think he has a point about 'The Daily Mail'....<br /><br />LOL:)<br /><br />Keep the writing coming Spence, it's as wonderful as always. <br />Best wishes to you and your crew, <br />Kitty =^..^=Kittyhttp://www.kittywitchin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-30912221219970514202009-11-15T16:45:26.311+00:002009-11-15T16:45:26.311+00:00So sad :( I hope, as you do, that he starts to get...So sad :( I hope, as you do, that he starts to get the help he needs. Must be horrible for the entire family to have to cope with someone like that - it's obviously not their fault, but it must be so hard not to resent the effect they have on the family.<br /><br />As thoughtful and caring as usual Spence :)<br /><br />Liv xxxloveinviennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061067320547283159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-85599763295865472822009-11-14T22:00:42.383+00:002009-11-14T22:00:42.383+00:00good posting Spence...nailed it cold...good posting Spence...nailed it cold...cogidubnushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03542717738481600745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-18571725629351458772009-11-14T19:17:41.414+00:002009-11-14T19:17:41.414+00:00The poor guy was so reduced by his illness, it was...The poor guy was so reduced by his illness, it was like trying to communicate with a mannequin. <br /><br />Of course it's not ideal having to be carried out by the police, but there was no other option. He'd be assessed pretty quickly in the cells. I hope that marks the beginning of finding the help he so desperately needs to get back in control of his life. <br /><br />Thanks v much for your comments, G & TA7!Spence Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11183848895584919812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-2511168793039226222009-11-14T15:02:59.025+00:002009-11-14T15:02:59.025+00:00I can see how this all ends up, sad but inevitable...I can see how this all ends up, sad but inevitable.<br /><br />You're a jewel among writers, Spence. Thanks for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27691111.post-11382519162149429092009-11-14T14:29:23.890+00:002009-11-14T14:29:23.890+00:00Spence, you've nailed it again. This is a sto...Spence, you've nailed it again. This is a story I know. Mental illness buffets a whole family in a raging storm of love and guilt and despair.Gerryhttp://torchlakeviews.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com