It amazes me how few peole even know what the DSM is. I know of several schools that have a copy. Just the way your friendly pharmacy company likes it.  More and more children are becoming  pill poppers. LEGAL pills.  
Read this article in Macleans magazine:
                                                         http://www2.macleans.ca/tag/dsm/
Is your child mental or normal? 3 out bursts a week, and they could be diagnosed mental!  Some schools even have a copy of the DSM... WTF!? 

It is one thing to diagnose an adult with a mental illness but a child? Give them a chance to be a kid, that included outbursts and bratty behavior from time to time.  Embrace it, it is a chance to teach a lesson to both parent and child.

If I thought the DSM was helping more than hurting I would probably just go about my business, but it is HURTING. 
More and more children are diagnosed every year - that does not mean they get help. In many cases they get a prescription and nothing more. Well, besides the stigma of being labeled mental. As if kids don’t have it hard enough.

 Then to put them on a medication - for depression? Possibly a psychotropic drug that will cause more long term damage than not.  Because a BOOK suggests it! 

Yep. They sit around a table and make suggestions.  No scientific facts. No X-rays, No blood tests, No test to prove a chemical imbalance - Even Dr.s & Psychiatrists are starting to question the DSM. 

“The result is that people with normal variations in emotion, behavior, and thought can receive a psychiatric diagnosis, leading to stigma and inappropriate treatment.

Because we have to live with a diagnostic system that is provisional—and that will almost certainly prove invalid in the long run—much of the research on mental disorders has to be taken with a grain of salt. “  
Read more:       http://www.neuropsychotherapist.com/dsm-5-handle-with-care/

I guess so, especially when they must  explain to the parent of a child on medication that does them more harm in long run. In some cases the child commits suicide on the drugs they are prescribed to help them. FACT - Google side effects of PROZAC  
I took that crap for too long...      twitch, twitch...

Think about also how your child might feel about YOUR decision to medicate them, when they are 30, they might have an opinion on what you decided regarding their mental state. If they live that long.  Do you think I am being dramatic? 
Research. Look at the rise in numbers with children being medicated and prescribed with such things like Bipolar at the age of 2!  
Perhaps not your children but your grand children? ANY child! We need to speak up for the ones that can’t.

 Calling yourself crazy and having someone diagnose you as crazy are two very serious and different things. It could affect the child forever. 
I have several cartoon ideas and I plan on drawing them all. 

WE ARE NOT CRAZY!   
WE DONT NEED the DRUGS! 
We just need MORE TLC.

xox   <><

Ignorance is bliss... ? How about when it is killing our kids? Still feeling blissful?

How about when you get a F*&^% twitch that drives crazy? Did you know it was a common side effect of one of earliest “mood” drugs approved by the  “who’s, who’s”
and pushed to the millions as ‘mama’s little helper’.  And tongue* darting...  lovely.
Twitches that never go away.   They made a pill to try,  but that just paralyzed motor skills.

This is a difficult blog. 
Deep Breath, and in my mind I think help me speak.
I have not been drawing as much this past week or so, several reasons...

I had a bit of a set back. Dr.s still do not know what is causing my problem. I had a couple of days that were so bad I must say; I was considering- considering surgery - again LOL
Not fun ;-(  I am also thinking of my botox Dr.   
I also had a run in with arthritis and Daisy. I have Psoriatic arthritis - it moves. For what ever reason sometimes it moves to my hands. I can just about tolerate the pain anywhere else-  when it moves to the hands it also becomes a mental stress and can be somewhat depressing to a artist to have hands so sore you don't want to draw. The weather is not helping. Arthritis is not fun. Some days it literally hurts to pull up my own undies. I have a friend with sever arthritis and has had it  for years. I never knew how bad it was for her of course, until I started to deal with it.  I do remember she was in so much pain one time when  her little guy was a baby - I had to go over - she could not even do up his diaper because of the pain.
 It has been a difficult week, I was close to calling my friend Marco  and informing him I would  not be at this years EXPO.  

I had a long conversation with my guys - they get it - they see how I am and understand I am self conscious. Storm reminded me that - "people will think what they want, but when you speak mom they will hear you, and they get past your appearance."  ❤

 I had someone say to me - you have to get over it, then the other day she was saying in conversation "I would not go out if my hair was a mess... I would feel so self conscious" - HA! And I'm to GET over it!? - It will take time.  That's just messy hair! 
Either way,  I was reminded that this is a opportunity for me to help educate and we have some fun. We booked the hotel.  If people have trouble talking to me that is their problem not mine. Perhaps I am a lesson.  We are all a lesson for someone. 

For the past 2 days,  I have been using 'Bubble hash' Storm got for me and my twitch last night was one of the best days it has been since surgery!  I hope I figure out he camera thing - It will amaze some people! I will be in full twitch - have a puff and it stops, less than a minute later. 
I am amazed! LOL - You have no idea. A twitch that goes on constantly - is exhausting alone  but physically after a long day - it just WEARS me down.  Last night -when it is usually at its worst in the P.M. - I could not believe how good it was!! I will be using nothing but for a couple of days. It would be so awesome if I could control it sometimes! 

Norm could not believe I was not stoned. LOL And Storm happy to help his mom ❤.

If not for Cannabis, I do not know where I would be-  yes, I do!  
In bed miserable and feeling sorry for myself and in pain. 
Instead today - is a new day and I am ready for it. 
I am going to my painting room and paint some creations for this years EXPO. 
Relax and enjoy this day,  I know it is a blessing that it was given to me.
I hope to get back to drawing  as of today. Thank you for your patience.. xox

I have a friend who says his all the time.. Let Go and Let God. Surrender.  Have faith.  I struggle every day with this. 
It is so hard to just let go. I try to  control this ^%$# twitch - still - 3 years later and I say to myself - I can make it stop.  It's no different from yesterday - it just seems like on some days it becomes too much. Little things that I deal with all the time suddenly seem HUGE and I want to scream out of frustration. I feel myself build up anger, resentment - I start to feel emotionally and physically exhausted and overwhelmed. 
Time to LET GO! 
Time to stop fighting it, take a mental break - step aside, read a book, distract yourself, meditate.  Time to hand it over. 
As if we have any control over any of this anyway.
xox <>< 

Cannabis is recognized as a medicine. Our Government and many US states (as well as other countries) all know Cannabis helps many life threatening illness and diseases. Chronic pain, cancer patients - and more. BUT some people are trying to get cannabis prescribed for headaches, depression and more and are being refused with Dr.s telling them it is NON-life threatening. In who's opinion?
I know from our own personal experience this past year with me not working as much, our financial situation 'tighter' than usual - and with that comes added stress. Stress because I am too sick to work, adding on top of everything else.  

My friend has been prescribed Migraine medication that is expensive and addictive! 
Fiorinal side effects: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) slow, weak breathing, severe weakness or dizziness, black, bloody, or tarry stools or blood in your urine or vomit. Other, *less serious side effects may be more likely to occur: dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite, dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness, ringing in your ears. 
Butalbital may be habit forming.* << She agrees.
She like me, says all she wants to do on these pills is SLEEP. She cannot function at work on them so she goes all day in pain - by the times she gets home and take the pill -it usually does not even help her very much. She said once home she has one puff- ONE PUFF- This I will tell you is NO lie- All I need is one puff and my twitch calms right down and I feel better.   You don't need to sit and smoke an entire doobie - well people with pain like Storm - they do. 
In my case I dont' and neither does my friend. 
The one puff does not get her 'high' - it keeps her going- even puts a smile on her face while doing it! She eats ALL natural is a vegetarian and cares about what she put in her body - no alcohol and as few chemicals as possible, she does not even use skin creams unless they are all natural ingredients. 
So why is she being FORCED to take something - where there is a safer, natural alternative?
As for Cannabis and depression... I KNOW it works.  
As for life threatening -  tell that to someone in pain, worried about paying the bills and still trying being a positive, productive member of society.
SHE LOVES being a teacher. Was born to do it she believes.. 
It is o.k. for her to take her prescribed medications at work - that keep her at her desk - not capable of much more that what is required.  So why not Cannabis?  xox <>< 

I saw this cute stick figure drawing on line and was inspired to re-draw. I like the message.
My mind is full these days. Looking forward to meeting with the surgeon (although -no lies- a little nervous), and of course there is always other stuff.  LIFE. Up and DOWN
Last week Storms hearing aid broke - but when he told me, for once it did not stress us out as he had purchased  an extra years warranty at his last visit for  almost $400.oo!  So we thought- I was called this week (so much for client patient privledge also- Storm being the client who paid for everything himself - yet I was called) was informed - "oh, that was just for one hearing aid" ... clearly WE miss understood.
And when I called to question I was verbally yelled at, was told  (meaning Storm) "perhaps he should learn to read".  Adding insult to injury.  
Storm finally called him as he still had not bothered to call Storm - only to be just as offended by this "professional".  He also denied (lied) to Storm and said he did not yell at me or say anything. I was literally shaking after our phone conversation - which was in fact BULLYING on an adult level.  
I had to let it go I don't need the stress. BUT I can't not let it go . This man is in my community and most of his clients are older disabled clients.  IS this how he will treat them - when something is not explained clearly? Will he yell at them when they ask for an explanation?  I have many elderly friends in this community - many who I met through church and care for very much- the thought of one of them experiencing this - is concerning.   If one other person is spared this treatment - GOOD!  YES, I realize it is his word against mine. We have no reason to lie. It is the last thing we need to worry about. 
I was so upset I was going to post it on FB - but I have too many people - disabled that would be disgusted. 
That's it - we wrote it off. 
At least the seed has been planted - people made aware- they might not believe me - I don't care, HE will NOW have to PROVE otherwise - and EXPLAIN properly to patients,  provide CLEAR, professional paperwork and  God wiling - be a better person. 
Unfortunately Storm is out almost $400. and still has no hearing in the one ear. ;-(

Today I have spent time with the dogs, Daisy especially with a ball being forced into my ribs as I TRY to draw-  is teaching me to be mindful. The toon is with Tequila - as she is getting old she just likes to sit beside me and look. I look at her and I see Peace. I pat her and I feel peace.  I wish everyone could have a dog. 
I also better understand the phrase the more I know people (like this hearing aid guy) the more I like my dogs.

Now back to work on Snoop lion.
xox <>< 

I get irritated when I realize all the difficulties  around Cannabis as a medicine for children,  but I get infuriated when consenting adults are denied Cannabis for P.T.S.D. 
I have read  about soldiers and using Cannabis  to ease their mental anguish as well as physical pain (the above photo is of soldiers that all lost limbs due to the Iraq war. Only 3 of thousands.  We remember those that die but what about all those that come home and have been  - impacted by the war? 
What about what you can not see. The suffering, destruction, anger and death that they witness daily over there and then they are expected to come home and la-de-da...  move on.  For anyone that sits on the sofa watching this only from a television and dares to judge - SHAME on them. Dares to say what they may or may not use to help quiet the mind and heart.

I hear this time and time again at the EXPO. Not me personally - but others telling me that they deal with this all the time. WHAT does sick look like? Can you see Cancer? Can you tell when someone is dying from a terminal illness? In many cases NO- So stop making Assumptions people!  Thank God,  everyone who is sick does NOT look sick - that is an entirely new issue to deal with -TRUST ME on that - I know!   My son does not look sick.  He does wear hearing aids and glasses but other than that he looks good! Several times he has had strangers  comment - WHAT the heck !? Is there not more serious issues to deal with? Why must someone LOOK sick to justify the use of Cannabis as a medicine?! 
If no one ever smoked it and only used "medibles" -medicated - baked goods, these comments would probably stop.  Smoking is the fasted way to medicate and I don't know about you but when in pain - I want it treated as quickly as possible. WHO does not?  It was one of the biggest problems for my son when he was little - by the time he asked for medicine - (codine for example)  the pain was so great that it took even longer to work - at the same time - if you know the side effects who wants to give a child codine ALL the time. 
 I am So happy my handsome son does NOT look sick.
I on the other hand have been dealing with a very 'visual' problem and get the opposite! Especially from those close to me - I have lost a lot of weight and have a very painful 'Twitch", Luckily my Dr., is able to somewhat control the twitch (contractions) with Botox for the time being - but as you can see in the Video below - it is obvious I am dealing with something. I've had people look at me and comment on my appearance for the past 3 years! 
"Did you have a stroke?"  "OMG are you O.k.?"  "You look terrible!"  "You better not lose anymore weight!"  AND I MUST say - That ON TOP of dealing with  actually NOT feeling great is even harder. It is depressing! I can't smile like I use to - I look like a mad woman sometimes - I use to be a bit of a hottie. Yet I don't feel that anymore when I look in the mirror.  ;-(
So MIND your business!!!
What does it matter to you? 
People if you use Cannabis to medicate, lucky if you have a Dr. that cares and has prescribed Cannabis -- - don't justify yourself - forgive the ignorance and look past the reefer madness! If you don't look sick than thank God -*Buddha,  Jehovah, Yoda- whoever you need to thank - thank them! 
Thank your lucky stars you look fine!  It is ONE less issue to deal with.
Video taken at the Treating Yourself EXPO - I was nervous. But I MUST look past my appearance - I am on a more important mission. If you can't get past my appearance that is your problem.  Thank you to Remo - the Urban grower for this - helping me spread the word! xox  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GgzJ3Kj1pI&feature=g-u-u

How many people know what the D.S.M is ? It is a book.  A book that describes mental disorders - so that - when you go to to a Dr., they can look in this book and see your symptoms and diagnose you with a MENTAL disorder and prescribe you drugs!  
There are NO facts for these diagnoses. They can not be proven.
The NEXT copy if the D.S.M is out this year 2012. It is anticipated that some of the possible new disorders added will be - internet addiction, shopping addiction, -road rage, apathy- to name a few. You could be labled with a mental disorder according to this fictious book. FACT.        So?! You ask...
WELL once you are diagnosed using 'made up' conditions in a book - other people use it also - like Insurance companies, judicial systems use it in sentencing, custody battles - all based on LIES.  MADE up conditions to sell DRUGS. Drugs that are addictive, cause serious harm and many times KILL. PLEASE educate yourself and your kids today .
Oh - In an earlier edition of the D.S.M  Homosexuality was in fact listed as a mental illness, until there was a protest- then it suddenly was no longer a mental disorder ? More like a pathetic attempt to ruin more lives. Thank God people spoke up! 
We need to do that with more. 
I suggest you watch - The marketing Of madness.
 http://www.cchr.org/videos/marketing-of-madness.html
If you do not - who will you blame when you have ben diagnosed with a mental disorder and have your rights taken from you? Education is POWER. 
xox <><

I have had another person contact me telling me how Cannabis has saved her life - I get a few quite often I have decided to share  because it is different and  one thing I have learned with all we have experienced this journey YOU CAN not always see pain! Think about your back hurting - can anyone see that - no - not unless you are hunched over.  Here is Caroles story:I am 48, married 26 years to my best friend. We have 3 grown children, and 7 grandkids! 2 Dogs Snoops or wiener dog, Jeepers are Chiweenie, 2 cats Trapper John M.D. (Mouse Detective) and Itsie Bitsie!
We love the outdoors, gardening, hiking, camping, and finally I can enjoy again!
In 1998 I tore my articular cartilage; I had surgery to repair it. After surgery things still were not right, I started having problems. After a year of ongoing pain and problems I was sent to a specialist in Seattle. I told him about my leg feeling like it was burning constantly, that when anything touched my knee it would cause an increase in pain, clothing, sheets, air condition a breeze anything that touched my knee created more pain. I soon learned that other things triggered the pain, like a change in weather, stress, too much activity, too little activity, taking a shower created pain. 
I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. Because chronic pain is an invisible condition, it’s difficult for others to accept that something is wrong; after all you don’t look sick…
I was on three different anti-depressants, one anti-anxiety medication, for the pain I took, 4 60mg. of Ms-Contin, 4 2mg. of Dilaudid, and 4 10mg. Vicodins, a day. I also have two spinal Cord Simulators (SCS) implanted, they have wires that are connected to certain nerves in my spine and sends out a electrical signal to help block the pain signal being sent to the brain, that also helps but still have pain. 
After years of being an advocate for chronic pain, I learned more about other treatments for chronic pain. One treatment that I was hearing about was Cannabis. At first I was like "o hell no, just a legal way to get high…."  but so many people were using and it was helping! So I researched it. I then tried it I was shocked at how well it really did help. It does not take away all of the pain, but neither did the pain pills, neither do the SCS units! So I got my Washington State medical Cannabis License two years ago. During this time, I have gone off all anti-depressants and the anti-anxiety pills. And I now take one pain pill a day! I also lost 58 pounds! As I said it did not take away all of the pain, it helps me deal with “pain flares” and sleepless nights. The best part is I feel better! I use tincture, smoke, vap, and some mediables.
This is what I hear all the time. The thing is I don't need to hear it because we have the best proof...  Living proof.   xox <><