Sharen Neal, Lifetime Achievement Award, NAMIPC

NAMI – Placer County

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IMG_6957Today, August 15th 2013, my mom, Sharen Neal, received a well-deserved lifetime achievement award from National Alliance on Mental Illness association of Placer County (NAMIPC – http://namipc.org).  It was so wonderful that Loretta alerted us in advance of this event so that we could plan to be there in-person.  This was a regularly scheduled meeting for NAMIPC but Loretta (President of NAMI – Placer County) added a twist by adding a special ceremony before their regularly scheduled meeting for my mom and Pauline.

IMG_6952It was very special and they presented both Sharen and Pauline with an awesome/custom-engraved plaque recognizing their years of service and then we all had some delicious celebratory cake and drink.  Of course neither woman went looking for recognition like this; rather personal situations drove them to commit their lives to helping others.  I admired both Pauline and my mom for their commitment to the cause of improving the welfare of the Mentally Ill because it is such a vicious condition.  It’s hard to diagnose, difficult to treat and challenging to treat in the proper way (especially with such limited resources).  It simply is a lifetime affliction for most and more research/education on the topic needs to be forthcoming so we can better address the needs of those in-need.

 

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Click the banner link above to learn more about NAMI – Placer County 

For those who might not know, my mom has been a relentless advocate on behalf of the Mental Ill of Placer County (California, in the Sierra Foothills where they live).  She has been a strong advocate for rights and due-process.  Her life is dedicated to making others lives better through her advocacy in the association.

While I’m not exactly sure how many years she was involved in NAMIPC as a volunteer serving in several capacities, the fact-of-the-matter is that she will most likely always be involved in some capacity.  To help others is simply in my mom’s DNA and I absolutely love her for this!

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It was quite the feat to pull-off getting everyone organized but my wife, Brandee, managed to pull it off perfectly, although there were a few close-calls considering the constrained time considerations.  This is how it went down.  First, my older brother, Mike and his wife, made the trip from Santa Rosa.  Then my younger brother, John, made the trip from Chico and, finally, Brandee and I made the trip from San Jose.  So, as you can see, this was a weekday (Thursday afternoon) collaboration with many participants, from various parts, that typically does not happen.  However we were all determined to be there for this great event and we wouldn’t let anything stand in the way;  so we did it in honor of Sharen!


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Pictured from left to right:  John, Sherry, Mike, Floyd, Sharen, Kevin
(behind the camera = Brandee)
 

Mom, we, and especially on behalf of all those whom you have helped in life previously, as well as that you will help in the future, appreciate your passion and commitment to helping the Mentally Ill!  Thanks so much from everyone!!!

 

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