We learn lots of things in the disability community. As a young person with a disability, we learn what our rights are, and how to advocate for ourselves. We learn what career opportunities are available to us, how to file complaints when people wrongly park in our handicapped spaces, or when we cannot get into a building of our choice. Some of us are privileged to learn about disability culture.  What about DEPRESSION? The frequency of depression is very high among people with disabilities, however no one wants to talk about it or deal with it.

  Early on in our lives our parents seek out physical, occupational, and speech therapies for their children with disabilities because we know that these therapies can be of tremendous benefit. Why don’t we seek out therapy to help with depression? It is because we are ashamed and afraid. People are like volcanoes. If we keep our problems bottled up inside, eventually we explode and react in unhealthy ways. I had a close friend who suggested I get some help, but for a very long time I denied that I needed professional help. I had depression in high school but decided not to let any one know how serious it was. At times I wanted to die. When I finally decided to seek help I went to one session with a recommended therapist. She was just not the right fit for me and I opted not to go back.

 After high school graduation I applied for employment services through Montana Vocational Rehabilitation. Since I had never had formal intelligence testing, I was required to have a psychological evaluation and  intelligence test administered by a psychologist as part of the application process. I was so impressed with this therapist that when the testing was done I spontaneously asked her if she would take me on as a client. That was in 2002, and I have learned a lot about myself since then. Asking for help was the greatest risk I have ever taken. I realize what a good advocate I have become for myself.

 I have a hero. He also cannot speak and has cerebral palsy. He is so brilliant and successful working on his doctorate degree in special education. I was shocked to know that he struggles with depression. In an odd way, it was comforting to me that he would go public with his secret. That was his way of helping others and I want to follow in his footsteps.

For more information contact Sierra at sierrasmil@bresnan.net