Women and Mental Health
Title:
Celeste was a younger in a large Catholic family. Everything in her world was dominated by her adoration of her much older siblings and by her parent's strict devotion to the Catholic faith. At 8 years old she prepared for her first communion. She was overwhelmed by God's love for her and by the repeated insistences by her parents that now she would be clean and pure. She was enamored by that idea. She so wanted to be pure and clean before God. She fantasized about how wonderful it would be in her pretty new dress and new frilly stockings and shiny shoes to receive her first communion and become clean. The day finally came, extended family came for the occasion, and the morning was full of excitement and, of course as with any large family, bickering. But Celeste saw only the good and shiny moments of that morning because she was so looking forward to her first communion. They went to the church, everything was beautiful - just as she had imagined it would be. After church they all piled into the cars and drove back to the house for a big back-yard picnic to celebrate. At home everyone piled out and straight into the kitchen and backyard to start the party. Celeste's mother sent her upstairs to change out of her clean, new white dress. When she got to her room to change her older brother was already there - with his friends. They were drunk. They grabbed her. They ripped her dress up over her head and raped her - each of them taking a turn. They were dirty and she knew they were making her dirty as well. They took away all of the new cleanness and purity of her long-awaited first communion. All to the sound of her parents, and grandparents bickering only a few feet away. When her attackers were done and they left her alone. She changed her clothes and went down to the party. She tugged on her mother's apron to try and say what had happened but her mother in a frustrated voice and with a dismissive hand gesture told her to go away. Celeste obediently went.
In 1992 Celeste was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. This story, when she tells it now, is dismissed as an attention getting ploy - a facet of her disorder so that even at age 56 the people charged with her care and well-being respond to her still with a frustrated voice and a dismissive gesture. They tell her to go away. And she does. Rating: R - for disturbing imagery and subject matter.
Summary: To honor the stories of women whose stories have not been believed or properly honored because of youth, or mental illness, or fear. The Story of Celeste.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder please seek information and support.
Pope John Paul II said:
"This year the World Day of Health, with the theme, "Mental Health: Stop the Exclusion Dare to Care", will be celebrated on 7 April. On this occasion, I renew my appeal that, everyone, in accordance with his responsibility, commit himself to defending the dignity and rights of people suffering from mental illness. May no one remain indifferent to these our brothers and sisters. The Church looks with respect and affection on those who suffer from this affliction and urges the entire human family to accept them, giving special care to the poorest and most abandoned."
Celeste was a younger in a large Catholic family. Everything in her world was dominated by her adoration of her much older siblings and by her parent's strict devotion to the Catholic faith. At 8 years old she prepared for her first communion. She was overwhelmed by God's love for her and by the repeated insistences by her parents that now she would be clean and pure. She was enamored by that idea. She so wanted to be pure and clean before God. She fantasized about how wonderful it would be in her pretty new dress and new frilly stockings and shiny shoes to receive her first communion and become clean. The day finally came, extended family came for the occasion, and the morning was full of excitement and, of course as with any large family, bickering. But Celeste saw only the good and shiny moments of that morning because she was so looking forward to her first communion. They went to the church, everything was beautiful - just as she had imagined it would be. After church they all piled into the cars and drove back to the house for a big back-yard picnic to celebrate. At home everyone piled out and straight into the kitchen and backyard to start the party. Celeste's mother sent her upstairs to change out of her clean, new white dress. When she got to her room to change her older brother was already there - with his friends. They were drunk. They grabbed her. They ripped her dress up over her head and raped her - each of them taking a turn. They were dirty and she knew they were making her dirty as well. They took away all of the new cleanness and purity of her long-awaited first communion. All to the sound of her parents, and grandparents bickering only a few feet away. When her attackers were done and they left her alone. She changed her clothes and went down to the party. She tugged on her mother's apron to try and say what had happened but her mother in a frustrated voice and with a dismissive hand gesture told her to go away. Celeste obediently went.
In 1992 Celeste was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. This story, when she tells it now, is dismissed as an attention getting ploy - a facet of her disorder so that even at age 56 the people charged with her care and well-being respond to her still with a frustrated voice and a dismissive gesture. They tell her to go away. And she does. Rating: R - for disturbing imagery and subject matter.
Summary: To honor the stories of women whose stories have not been believed or properly honored because of youth, or mental illness, or fear. The Story of Celeste.
If you or someone you care about is suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder please seek information and support.
Pope John Paul II said:
"This year the World Day of Health, with the theme, "Mental Health: Stop the Exclusion Dare to Care", will be celebrated on 7 April. On this occasion, I renew my appeal that, everyone, in accordance with his responsibility, commit himself to defending the dignity and rights of people suffering from mental illness. May no one remain indifferent to these our brothers and sisters. The Church looks with respect and affection on those who suffer from this affliction and urges the entire human family to accept them, giving special care to the poorest and most abandoned."