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Advocacy |
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Advocate-
To speak in favor of; recommend
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1.
A person who argues for a cause; supporter or defender
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2.
A person who pleads in another's behalf; intercessor.
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Advocacy-
Active support, as of a cause, idea, or policy.
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Musician/Advocate-
Why?
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Through
my music, lyrics, songs, and performances, I feel blessed to be
able to try to convey the thoughts, ideas, and feelings of not only
myself, but of the countless hundreds I have met in my lifetime.
These wonderful and unique individuals have suffered abuses that
defy description. Their strength and perseverance help guide me.
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Equally
important are the many great organizations dedicated to advocating
for those who have felt the sting of discrimination and stigma pertaining
to mental illness/health and the sheer horror and impact felt by
those who have endured childhood sexual, physical, and emotional
abuse. You will find some of these great groups listed in the resources
section below and on the links page.
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I am forever honored to have worked with and met so many of you. God has indeed blessed all of you. |
| "Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world, it's
the only thing that ever has." - Margaret
Mead |
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 The Cedars at Potomac Point overlooking Washington, DC |
These 2 photos of me playing the guitar and singing with some friends were taken at a restaurant & pub at Georgetown University in Washington, DC in November 2005. We had all just been part of the conference held at Georgetown University - "Children In Slavery - The 21st Century Summit". It was a truly powerful experience and I was quite honored that I was asked to present and talk of my experiences as a child and a young teen. Though emotionally draining for me, I knew that by sharing I would be helping others who have suffered and for those enduring horrible hardships today.....music is indeed a powerful remedy for hope and as these photos show..having fun. I was once again honored to be asked to speak and to perform a concert for the students of Georgetown University [along with some other colleges] in February 2006 who held their own conference to end the exploitation and trafficking of children and adults.  The photos of The Cedars [where I stayed Nov. 2005] are worth sharing because
of the mission statement and beliefs held by those involved with The Cedars.
A place where people of different persuasions, religions, political beliefs,
race, nationality , etc can come to talk in a peaceful and neutral setting.
The following text is part of their Vision:"I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you made me welcome. I was naked and you clothed me.I was ill and you came and looked after me. I was in prison and you came to see me there.......I assure you that whatever you did for the humblest of my brothers and sisters, you did for me." |
| Links to resources Published Articles By Me And About Me 1] Consumer Musician Helps Raise $20,000 - Seacoast Online 2] College Essay About A Hero - Alisa Skinner 3] In The Name of God - National Press Club & The Healing Times 4] My Musical Career - Male Survivor Newsletter 5] Changing The Stigma of Mental Illness - Mental Health World & The Health Care Review 6] Music and Healing - Many Voices Press Newsletter 7] ManyVoices03 - Many Voices Press Newsletter 8] Nami Advocate 9] Nursing News 10] Healing Times 11] Surviving Spirit |
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Although stereotypical views of mental health consumers are those of dependent individuals pertpetually in need, some people with mental illness are succeeding at erasing such images from the minds of the public. Among such successes is Michael Skinner, a professional guitarist and drummer from Manchester, who has been publicly advocating for a less negative picture of what mental health consumers have to offer the larger society. He donates his time as a professional guitarist and drummer to fundraising events in N.H., especially those sponsored by organizations raising money to address mental health related issues. His performing helps erase erroneous public images of mental illness and serves as a type of self-help therapy. Last year, Mr. Skinner performed live during registration for the Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) Annual Walk-A-Thon, held in Portsmouth on April 22, 2001. This event succeeded in raising more than $20,000 for SASS. According to an article recently printed in Seacoast On-line, "Mr. Skinner uses his music on two levels: to entertain, and to speak out against the stigma of mental illness." "The one thing that I hope comes through loud and clear is how much I plain enjoy playing now," Mr. Skinner told Karen Dandurant, who interviewed him for Seacoast Online. "I love music. It's a healthy part of me that gives me a pleasure that I want to share. I want to erase the stereotype of mentally challenged people only being capable of doing piece work in a workshop. Skinner released an album entitled "Train of Tears" last year. Part of the proceeds from each sale of his album, available on CD, goes to benefit the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of N.H. In addition, Mr. Skinner co-chairs the Manchester chapter of NAMI-NH with Nancy McGuire, who has a family member with a psychiatric disability. Further information on NAMI-NH aactivities is available at their website: http://www.naminh.org. Mr. Skinner is also President of the Consumer Advisory Council to the Disability Rights Center, as well as an active member of the Coalition on Family Law and Mental Illness. The coalition seeks to end discrimination against parents with mental illness in child care, visitation or custody matters, and is funded by the N.H. DBH and DCYF, the N.H. Bar Foundation and the N.H. Charitable Foundation. For additional information on family law and mental illness, one may visit http://www.ffcmh.org as well as http://www.bazelon.org/custody.html. Also recommended: The N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence at http://www.nhcadsv.org. Excerpts by Karen Dandurant reprinted with permission of Seacoast On-line, http://www.seacoastonline.com |
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I've always looked up to my father and have admired him. His strength and wisdom were admired not only by me, but also those around him. He's one who stands firm in what he believes. After this past year my love and admiration for him has grown. My father is the most heroic man I know by the strength and courage shown by him through the tragedy he is facing. During the past year my father has gone in and out of the hospital because of his illness with major depression. The result of this has caused his business to fail. The business that he built himself and made the most successful in New England. Around Christmas time last year he started having flashbacks of treacherous acts his parents did to him and his brothers and sister. As a child his parents physically and sexually abused him. Because of these horrifying scenes he could no longer work from the shock of what had occurred. When I think of a hero, I think of a survivor. One who has overcome many obstacles in life. A hero is also good-natured and well-liked. A hero has courage and amazing strength. I am amazed at my father's strength to handle what he has gone through and turn out so well. He is a hero to make good of what he came from and turn his life around. He was a hero to survive the treacherous battle that went on between him and his parents as a child. |
| For
Immediate Release Contacts: November 9, 2002 David Roscow, 703-276-2772, ext. 21 Scott Treibitz, 703-276-2772, ext. 11 New
Report Group
Calls on International
Humanitarian Campaign Against the Exploitation of Children Washington, DC - The Catholic Church is guilty of a historic, systemic cover-up of human trafficking of sexual predators and victims as defined by the United Nations according to a report by the International Humanitarian Campaign Against the Exploitation of Children (IHCAEC). The report, In the Name of God, documents clear evidence of global patterns of behavior and tactics by church officials that has resulted in "global human trafficking" of sexual predators and their victims under the guise of protecting the Priesthood, the image of the Catholic Church, and avoiding legal and financial liability for their actions. "Even in these very dark days of the Roman Catholic Church's worse sexual scandal, the Church hierarchy and the Vatican continue to co-conspire to cover-up heinous sexual crimes by members of the clergy including sexual rituals, orgies, and ritual abuse sex rings." said author of the report and former CNN Political Director Christine Dolan, CEO/founder of IHCAEC. "In this cover-up, the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy use their usual tools-Denial, Deflection, Secrecy, Stonewalling, and Blaming victims, their families and supporters, and media who attempt to report the true nature of this sexual torture." "It is time for Law Enforcement agencies worldwide to do what the Roman Catholic church Hierarchy, who clearly consider themselves 'A Royal Priesthood' and above the civil laws that govern laity, to do what the Vatican and their Bishops continue to lack the moral leadership and moral courage to do. Positions of power in the church can no longer be protection from CRIMINAL ACCOUNTABILITY! Their acts of commission and omission are as criminal as the predators' sadistic torture and savagery of children!" says Dolan. For more information about IHCAEC visit www.helpsavekids.org.
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| My
ongoing efforts to make the public aware of the seriousness of childhood
sexual abuse and it's long- term consequences through my music,
my advocacy work, and my website, has led me to interact with many
others, not only on a regional basis, but an international one as
well. This networking led others to make Christine Dolan of the
International Humanitarian Campaign Against The Exploitation Of
Children contact me and ask me to participate in the above mentioned
Press Conference. I was extremely honored to do so. Here is the
prepared speech I gave at the National Press Club in Washington,
DC. I also spoke for 10 minutes following this prepared text and
was given a standing ovation. I was truly humbled and honored to
be able to help convey words for those who have been abused. Slowly
but surely we will end this abuse.
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