I talk to so many women these days. Mothers of women suffering from postpartum disorders. Mothers of women who have killed themselves. Women who have survived. Women who are just now suffering. They all say the same thing: We need to do more. Lots of people are trying to do more, each in their own way. I’ve decided to make my contribution with this weblog. In it I will post whatever I can find that might be of help or comfort to you — stories of women who’ve gone through it, articles from newspapers and magazines, bits of inspiration and more. It’s true that you may be able to find those things on other websites, but my goal here is to post things real-time, so you see them immediately, and to keep this journal very clean and clear so it’s highly useful.
Things you should know:
* It will be collaborative, as I would love to add your thoughts.
* It will be all-encompassing, covering postpartum depression, postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder and postpartum psychosis.
* It has only one allegiance — to women who have suffered or will suffer this these terrible illnesses.
There are still women who can’t get treatment because they either don’t have insurance or what they have covers little to no psychiatric care. There are still women killing themselves and/or others. There are still women being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. This can’t continue to go on. I hope Postpartum Progress helps in some small way.
KATHERINE,…I AM MELANIE BLOCKER-STOKES'S FATHER.
I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE IN THIS NOBLE STRUGGLE.
A FAVORITE AFRICAN PROVERB SAYS THAT "IT TAKES A WHOLE VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD". AND IT SURELY WILL TAKE A WHOLE VILLAGE TO ERADICATE THE IGNORANCE AND DENIAL THAT PERMEATES OUR SOCIETY REGARDING THIS PROBLEM….DADDIES AND HUSBANDS WILL ULTIMATELY BE QUINTESSENTIAL KEYS. AS SOURCES OF COMFORT AND UNDERSTANDING, THEY WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IN MANY CASES. I WAS WITH MELANIE FOR 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN HER HOSPITAL CONFINEMENT, IN THE LAST FIVE WEEKS OF HER LIFE…I ONLY WISH THAT I HAD POSSESED THE "KNOWLEDGE" THAT WOULD HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE. WITH AFFECTION..WALTER
katherine, thanks for bringing this to light for so many women and men. you rock!
-eko
Katherine,
Your honesty, bravery and committment is such an inspiration. Countless number of women and families will be helped by your information. Keep up the GREAT work!!! – Tina
Katherine,
Your story, your experience, your words of wisdom and support, your continued journey and your vision for change and progress in the treatment of PPD is absolutely inspirational. Thank you on behalf of all women struggling with depression after the birth of their baby. I'm impressed with the work you are doing, but more importantly, I'm impressed with who you are and the spirit and commitment that drives this project. I hope it's as rewarding for you as it is for the many women you are helping…
–Karen Kleiman
Katherine,
Your story, your experience, your words of wisdom and support, your continued journey and your vision for change and progress in the treatment of PPD is absolutely inspirational. Thank you on behalf of all women struggling with depression after the birth of their baby. I’m impressed with the work you are doing, but more importantly, I’m impressed with who you are and the spirit and commitment that drives this project. I hope it’s as rewarding for you as it is for the many women you are helping…
–Karen Kleiman
Hi,
I'm glad to learn about your site. The difficulties surrounding my son's food allergy, plus probably the genetic triats or anything else, has brought me to know depression better. Like other comments here, I am thrilled at your well spoken words. I know this website is going to be so helpful for the many women and families around. Thank you for your work.
I’m just now getting here (reading the link on your 9th blogversary). Thank you for this and all the hundreds and thousands of posts after it. You’ve made a difference.
Also? I love how you call this a “weblog” in your post- oh how social media has changed in a decade! 😉