Memories from the first Montreal Walks for Mental Health in 2009…

Helen Keller once said, “If you keep your face to the sun, you cannot see the shadows”.
On Sunday, October 18th, 2009, Margaret Trudeau stood on a podium in front of a huge crowd of individuals gathered for Montreal’s first walk for mental health and echoed similar sentiments. She encouraged those of us affected by mental illness, as she has personally been, to walk with our heads held up to the sky and no longer feel the shame and stigma that have been associated with mental illness for so many years.

More than 600 people showed up, far surpassing the expectations of the organizing committees and sponsors. The weather was spectacular. Crisp fall air and a shining sun energized participants, some of whom completed a three kilometer walk and others who went on for another two.

Whether or not one actually walked didn’t matter. Organizers cheered at the finish line for those who did. Others manned food and refreshment tables. Literature from sponsoring organizations was made available to those searching for help and support. Everyone made a difference. Warriors against stigma and labeling found compassion and acceptance from each other.

For me personally, the day marked an achievement that we could all be proud of.
I dreamed for years that someday, we could alert society to the toll that mental illness takes on both individuals and those who love and care for them in a show of solidarity. Alone, we can effect little change. As a group, we can create miraculous opportunities to change attitudes. My vision blurred through a few small tears as I made those first small steps, arm in arm with a friend who accepts me just the way I am. As in many years ago, when I made the first small steps towards healing, I was very fortunate to have someone’s arm to hold me up as well.

Not many are as fortunate. If nothing else, Montreal’s first gathering proved that no one need be alone in the face of an invisible, yet insidious illness. As I walked, I was aware that I did so for many who still cannot, for those whose heads are still too heavy to look up into a cloudless sky and appreciate the freedom of re-discovering the joy of life.
Perhaps the shadows still fall across their paths and a great deal of struggle is still ahead.
We can only hope that someday, the burden will be easier to bear. During the bittersweet moments of shared celebration and personal stories of struggle, I found that I was in the midst of the bravest people I have ever met. It was a day, not of grief and sadness for what illness has taken away. It was a gift of hope for what lies ahead for the future of mental health in our country.

Sylvia Smith
Montreal, Quebec

Sunday, October 18, 2009 was the beginning of a new annual tradition in Montreal. Over 600 people gathered at park Pierre Elliot Trudeau, in Cote St. Luc, for a 3 or 5 km walk. The sunshine followed us all day. What a magnificent day! It was a great success since organizers were expecting from 200 to 300 people. All of us there were touched by mental illness in one way or another and we wanted to talk about it. We also want to invite everyone to come out to help find ways to better live with the diagnosis.

The spokesperson for this event was none other than Margaret Trudeau, former first lady of Canada, who herself is touched by mental illness being diagnosed with bipolar. Her testimony moved and inspired us all. When someone like Margaret Trudeau lends herself to this cause it gives hope to people living with mental illness. She helps sets the stage for people to talk about mental illness in order to better understand them. We need to educate people if we want to demystify mental illness.

I am proud to have been a part of this event and I hope to see you all this year on Sunday October 24, 2010.

Have a great day!
Carmy Santoro

Dear Filmmaker / Artist,

We are pleased to inform you that your submission has been selected to screen at the 2008 Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival, August 7-9, 2008, Houston, Texas. We are excited about your project and commend you once again on your
outstanding efforts.Your project will be screening along with other selected submissions in your category at this year's festival. Winners in your category will be announced at the 2008 BCIFF Awards Banquet on the last night of the festival.

As a selected artist or filmmaker, you will receive one complimentary 2008 BCIFF VIP All Access Film Festival Pass that will allow you access to the opening night
extravaganza, seminars, workshops, film screenings, special platforms and the 2008 BCIFF Awards Banquet. Please see below details regarding your 2008 BCIFF VIP All Access Film Festival Pass.

You should be proud of your outstanding accomplishment and once again we are honored to have you included in this year’s screening. Thank you again for submitting your
project to the 2008 BCIFF. We look forward to seeing you at the festival.
Sincerely,

Shanda Davis
Executive Director
Bayou City Inspirational Film Festival
shanda@bciff.com or info@bciff.com
www.bciff.com

The launch of The 80/20 Project DVD took place on January 23, 2008 and for me, it was an amazing event. Months of planning went into organizing that evening and it was great to see that all that hard work paid off. It was a full house (there were about 90 people present) and the feeling in the room was indescribable. I was extremely nervous especially when the weather forecast called for -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) that evening. Everyone had a great time and the feedback from everyone was very positive. Several people that evening told me the same thing, that if I was nervous it meant that I cared. I started off the night by saying that I must have cared a lot for this project because I was very nervous. One of the things that touched me greatly was the attentiveness everyone in the room had towards what was going on. It proved to me that people are very interested in Mike’s Story and willing to listen and learn more about mental illness and recovery.

I would like to thank all those who were present and who took time from their busy schedule to be there with me that evening. I would also like to thank those who showed their support for this project by purchasing The 80/20 Project DVD. You can show your support by purchasing The 80/20 Project DVD off this website.

Once again, thank you for all your support and I look forward to meeting many of you along my journey.

Mike Santoro

The following is a card I received the night of The Official Launch of The 80/20 Project DVD...

Dear Mike,

It has been really neat getting to know you better through AMI-Quebec. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute in a small way to your website. Your willingness too share your story will continue to inspire me as well. I have come to discover the person inside me that does not live in a box or with a label. This is a journey that many do not make and one that most “non-consumers” can’t appreciate. But it’s a gift that recovery gives us and the difference is that we enrich everyone by offering our gift openly.

With many great wishes for a life full of re-discovery and joy!

Sincerely,
Sylvia Smith
January 23, 2008

Hi Everyone,

After a lot of hard work it is finally here!!!

Daniel Gervais and I am very excited to invite you to the official launch of The 80/20 Project Educational DVD, which will be held on Wednesday January 23, 2008 at 6:00 pm till about 9:00 pm at Centre St-Pierre de Montreal, 1212 Panet Street, Montreal, Quebec, H2L 2Y7. Walking distance from Metro Beaudry and parking available next to building for a reasonable cost.

That night, you will be the first to see the official trailer of The 80/20 Project Educational DVD, bloopers, some chapters from The 80/20 Project DVD and several other surprises await you. You will also have the opportunity to meet the actors who took part in the making of this DVD and have a chance to ask any question you may have.

That night, individuals will be able to purchase The 80/20 Project DVD at the Special Launch Price of $24.95 plus applicable taxes. Cash or cheques accepted. (Institution price: $295.00 plus applicable taxes).

We will be honored to have you among us. Light snacks and beverages will be served.

If you are interested in attending, please e-mail me no later than Friday January 11 by using the “Contact Us” button on the left of this page. Please indicate the names of the people coming and their e-mail address.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Mike Santoro
www.MikesStory.com

This is the time of year when I usually look back at the last 12 months and try to think of all the things that have happened. I look at what I have accomplished and take the time to appreciate what I have and the good people around me. This year has definitely been a big one; I was one of the faces of Mental Illness Awareness Week across Canada, Daniel and I started and completed The 80/20 Project Educational DVD which will be on sale on MikesStory.com starting in January 2008, we produced many videocasts, movie episodes, podcasts and wrote many articles for MikesStory.com, I have done many presentations to people suffering from a mental illness, family members, siblings, doctors, nurses, students, different professionals, etc. etc. I have done interviews with the media, recorded public service announcements, been recorded via podcast for another website, and the list goes on and on. It is great to hear people tell me how Mike's Story has helped them and/or impacted their lives. For me, this means that all the endless hours I am putting into this project is really having a positive impact on many people and that is what gives me the strength to continue.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season and say thank you for your support and encouragement. Take good care and take the time to enjoy this time of the year with those you love.

Mike