It's 3pm. I'm sitting at Reagan National Airport. And suddenly I'm really, really hot. Like burning up. I think now that I can finally sit down it is hitting me what an important day this was. I can't believe I got to stand up at the front of that press conference and speak alongside Carol Blocker, who experienced the ultimate sacrifice of losing her precious daughter to postpartum psychosis.
I have yet to eat anything other than a piece of delish cake provided by the gracious team at Senator Menendez' office in celebration of today's event and the passage of the MOTHERS Act, and I only have 30 minutes before my plane boards to head home, so I'm going to have to write more tomorrow so I can go grab a bite.
Suffice it to say today was a very important step. It provided official validation. We exist. These illnesses exist, in great numbers actually.This nation's officials are recognizing that. That means more than I even realized until I was standing there in full view of the U.S. Capitol with the trees swaying in theblustery wind and a photo of Melanie Blocker Stokes in my hands.
We have more to do, but today was a great step forward for all of those people who have labored so long to get to this point and for the mothers who have yet to experience perinatal mood or anxiety disorders.
Maybe Melanie was making the breeze blow to say thank you for remembering me.
AWESOME. Congratulations and thank you.
So moved by this. BRAVO! What a wonderful day. So glad you got to be a part of it.
Thank you, Katherine. Reading this post made my eyes fill with tears – for those who have been lost and for how much progress we are making in their/our honor!
This made me cry…but good, proud tears…thank you Katherine for being such an inspiration to us. Thank you for giving us a strong voice and never letting anyone silence it.
You ROCK.
Congratulations is in order, but is it enough? An amazing leap forward, Katherine. Bravo!
So very well done, all. Let's get to work on the programs that will carry out the goals of The MOTHERS Act.
give yourself a big wraparound hug from all of us who are cheering from the balcony! it truly does take a village, no? you are one bright light, miss katherine. huge thanks for all you do.
What an amazing moment to be remembered and celebrated. Congratulations are most definitely in order, thank you for remembering all of us.
Thanks everybody!!
I will never forget this day. My eyes filled with tears of joy for what is to come and sadness for those lives lost to this horrible illness. He truly gave me hope that I too shall one day overcome this…
How amazing! Thank you for all your hard work on behalf of women worldwide.
I have goosebumps reading this. What an honor to be a part of something so historical an so, so meaningful for our country's moms and families.