DBSA Kentucky

Letter from the Acting Director, DBSA Kentucky

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Don Thurber, current President of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Frankfort. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Type II with Rapid Cycling at the the age of 46. I was fortunate to be notified that Frankfort's first support group meeting for mood disorders would begin just two months after I recieved the diagnosis. I remember the courage it took to attend my first meeting. I met serveral dozen individuals and family members who were, like I was, living with mood disorders. It was a diverse group, with some folks newly diagnosed and others with a personal history of multiple hospitalizations and who were living on small disability incomes. Yet, there were others who spoke of recovery and wellness. One in particular said he came because he had learned to manage his symptoms, return to work and wanted the group to know that "There is life after this diagnosis". That a "normal and healthy" life was possible with consultation of treatment professionals and attention to one's plan of treatment. It was a message of hope; that we can get better and we can recover.

I have been active in DBSA ever since that first support group meeting. I have attended five annual DBSA conferences and several of the Chapter Leadership Forums and found them to be excellent, each time. In 2005, with the initation of Chapter Relations staff in Chicago, DBSA Frankfort hosted a statewide conference of chapter leaders in support groups statewide. After some more discussion, in October, 2006, I applied for and received a small startup grant from Chapter Relations to establish DBSA Kentucky. My initial goal has been to establish an online presence for this new organization, so with apologies to Descartes; "I type, therefore I am." I have been in touch with other Kentucky DBSA Chapter leaders and we agree that we want expand to other communities. With a statewide organization working with Chapter Recruitment Staff and with this website communication and coordiation of a collective effort should be enhanced so that is the initial purpose of establishing this site. We have re-establishing a support group in Lexington, KY, which is 25 miles away, SE of Frankfort. Hopefully, through our website, we will reach others, perhaps in other communities, who are looking for groups for themselves or their friends and family. Please let us know.

The real purpose of DBSA, Kentucky is to be the voice of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance here in our state. This is a peer-led organization and that does not replace professional treatment which most often includes both talk therapies and medication. I like to think of "support as the third leg of the wellness stool." Treatment is not enough for the "stool" to stand alone; it will fall without the social piece, which is peer-support. We know the need for support groups is great and we also know that we, in Kentucky, have support groups operating in fewer locations than in other states in our region and of comparable size. The New Year holds great promise and hope for expanding our impact in Kentucky.