Inspiring Lives Award

Carol Tooton, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division, has nominated me for an Inspiring Lives Award. The awards are presented by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia at a luncheon on May 6, 2009. I understand that 17 people have been nominated.

The Awards are presented to a Nova Scotia who has:

i) overcome the challenge of living with a mental illness;

ii) shown perseverance in taking control of his / her life;

iii) created greater understanding of mental illness and reduced the stigma;

iv) inspired and supported others; and

v) contributed positively to his / her community.

Canadian Health Magazine

I completed the draft article for Canadian Mealth Magazine, to appear in the 2009 summer issue. I thank Diana Swift at the magazine for her assistance.

Alan Stern, Q.C.

One morning, a few days after my article appeared in the Bar Society's magazine, I checked my emails and there was one from Alan Stern, Q.C. Now, Alan was the Bar Society's lawyer when I was suspended. As we work in an adversarial system, Alan's job was to act in the best interest's of the Bar Society, and thus, to act "against" me.

So, just to see Alan's email in my inbox was something. I took a breath and clicked on. He wrote

"Hello Keith,

I just read your article in the Society Record. Thank you for having the courage and taking the time to tell others about what happened to you.

One of the facts relating to your real estate practice that stood out to me at the time was how well all of your files were organized. My obvious conclusion was that you were a highly competent real estate practitioner.

Over the years I have provided advice to individuals on reinstatement from suspensions or disbarments and should you need any such advice I would be pleased to talk to you ( at no charge of course ).

Sincerely, Alan "

linkedin.com

I joined www.linkedin.com today. I had heard about this site, then caught the founder on Clarlie Rose last night. It is a networking site for people with a career/ job focus. Another forum in which to spread my mental health advocacy work.

Facebook

I joined Facebook ( www.facebook.com ), looks interesting. It could be a great means of contacting people and being found. Just trying to continue with discussing depression , in a different forum.

5th Annual Living with Mental Illness Conference

I had sent Linda Alderson my mental health "resume" in the fall of 2008 (gotta get the word out there !) .She then wanted to meet. Ms. Alderson is with the Family Working Group, Cape Breton District Health Authority, which spondsors the Living with Mental Illness Conference, held in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

After our neeting, she asked me to speak at the Conference, tentatively scheduled for Octobert30, 2009. This year there will be 4 speakers, each allotted an hour to speak.

I attended last year's, it was a well done event, with great speakers. There were 550 people in attendance.

Now, this may be my first public speach on my depression in my home town ( unless something comes along before), so I am looking forward to this event for sure.

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

I was asked by Krista Daley, CEO / Director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, to be a panel member at the Canadian Council of Administrative Tribunals Annual Conference scheduled for Halifax on May 31-June 2, 2009. The other panel member is Prof. Archie Kaiser, of Dalhousie Law School.

I have been asked to discuss how one (me) with a mental illness (depression) dealt with various bureauracies, sort of a consumer's perspective.

I can bring a different view of appearing before tribunals, I suggest. I have appeared before such as a lawyer on behalf of clients; I have sat on the Cape Breton-Victoria Counties Residential Tenancies Board for 7 years and on the Nova Scotia Assessment Appeal Court for a few years; and now, I was before two Bar Committees as the "client / consumer".

As well, Ms. Daley has asked me to speak with the Commission's staff.

It should be interesting indeed.