1 0 N to H COV ER Coloring from page 35 ference." Now Lora is in her sophomore year at Oakland Community College studying culinary arts. She says she's gone from taking 30 medications daily to only two, and she's living in a supported, independent program at a home in Farmington Hills with three roommates. "I tried to go to school before, but I never really succeeded:' she said. "I almost had a ner- vous breakdown over school, but I've had a lot of support here. They've helped me stay on track." Now she does the same for others as one of two peer coun- selors who work part-time for Kadima. As Lora tells her story, friend Steve Katz recalls when Lora first came, agreeing that she was a troublemaker. She can't deny the truth and clowns around, holding two fingers to her head to signify she was a little devil. Steve shakes his head and says, "Not any more." He's been involved with Kadima for nine years. Diagnosed as schizophrenic, he says he wasn't doing well at home, so he moved into a Kadima house. He's since "grad- uated" and now lives in his own apartment in Oak Park. "I come to the activity center a lot, and I have a lot of friends from Kadima," Steve said. "I've gotten a lot of support here. I'm moving forward." Stigma Lingers Mental illness cuts across gen- der, social and economic lines, catching those who are single, married, parents and profession- als in a web that allows them to cope as long as they can before spiraling downward. "How does it happen?" Shallal said. "Who knows? Sometimes it depends on how you're able to handle the stresses of the world. Sometimes something just puts you over the edge." For many, onset happens in late adolescence, perhaps late in high school or early in college. "There's a tremendous amount of shame for family members — shame, resentment, anger:' Shallal said. "Shame and stigma start from Day 1. Denial often 36 September 28 2006 goes on and on until the kid is into early adult- hood. Then the dark curtain falls and they start accepting and medication is introduced. "No one likes the labels, even the professionals. There's fear asso- ciated with the mentally ill. And the only time you hear about it is when someone is Janette Shallal, Kadima executive director: "I hurt or killed by feel like clients are my brothers and sisters." someone who is mentally ill." When Shallal learned she had Shallal says Kadima is commit- cancer last year, she debated ted to educating and sensitizing about telling her clients. The the community about mental ill- cancer now is in remission. ness. Even some clients don't want "But they are family and they to be associated with Kadima and really helped me," she said. mental illness, she says. "Every single one sent me a "How do you do surgery on card, called or dropped by for stigma and shame?" she asked. hugging and kissing. Here are "It's an unfortunate these people with thing." the worst disease, While Kadima is not in who put aside their competition with JARC, troubles and gave an agency that's been me their love. It was around more than 45 so healing, and it years, Shallal sees JARC's or brought me closer to cause getting more hype understanding their in the community. pain." Steve Katz "Mental illness is not Shallal says she sexy enough — am I sup- also feels a kinship posed to take my clothes with Jewish people. off?" she said jokingly, but "I'm very grateful with genuine frustration. to the community "These clients are adults. for taking care of its It's easy to say they need own. You have to step to get off their butts. But forward. If not, who people need to be under- will?" standing." D. Mic hael Shallal, a Chaldean Looking To Kratc hman married to a Russian The Future Jewish immigrant, is an Thanks to donors, empathetic, hands-on Kadima owns its own director. three-story building "I feel like clients are on 12 Mile Road in my brothers and sisters," Southfield, complete she said. "How much suf- with the activity cen- fering should they and ter on the lower level their families have to that offers a kitchen, live with? Kadima helps TV, billiards and ping- Nancy Stein them to feel less pain pong tables, crafts and turmoil and to live area and room to as productive lives as possible relax and enjoy friends. — with dignity, respect, love Its $2.3 million budget sup- and caring. And the reward is ports programs run by 65 staff, immediate changes in people's including Nancy Stein, clini- lives." cal director. She says fees for Lora Dibiase, 26, of Farmington Hills used to be a "little devil" when she first came to Kadima. services are very nominal and that most clients are on fixed incomes from Social Security • or Social Security disability and receive assistance from Medicare or Medicaid. D. Michael Kratchman of Bloomfield Hills is chairman of the Kadima board, which has 32 members, including a client. About 10 on the board have a family member who is a client. "During my term, a goal has been to add to the financial stability of the organization:' Kratchman said. "The other main goal is to introduce younger people to take over in the future. "It takes little arm-twisting because Kadima sells itself. The quality of what we do is impres- sive. People realize it's an orga- nization they can start with now and grow with. And we're .fairly unique in the U.S. We get calls all the time. People don't know how we do it." Kadima is unique in its com- prehensive approach — from group homes to clinical services. "I can't just offer shelter and medication and not try.to improve people's quality of life by adding employment, social- ization and therapy," Shallal said. "This has added tremendously to their lives and that of their families." At Kadima, clients are moni- tored closely to make sure they don't fall into the cyle of starting their medication, then stopping it when they feel better — which leads to problems again. "The staff knows everybody, so someone will figure it out quickly," Stein said. Also, the two clients serving as peer counsel- ors keep an eye out for trouble. Families, too, are involved in the healing. "No one family or one agency can do it alone,' Shallal said. "When we mobilize parents, staff and resources, we can do something. Though the challenges are great, Shallal remains optimistic. "There is no cure," she said, "but the research going on out there is wonderful. I know we're going to find some answers!" 7: What did Abraham Lincoln, Vincent van Gogh, Charles Dickent, Winston Churchill, Michelangelo and Leo Tolstoy have in corn- mon? Mental illness. Kadima will host Joshua Wolf Shenk, author of Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct.19, in its Zussman Activity Center, 15999 W.12 Mile Road, Southfield. Shenk's talk will be followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Martin Hershock of University of Michigan-Dearborn and Drs. Richard Ruzumna and Seymour Baxter, both psy- chiatrists and psychoana- lysts. Cost is $25, adults; $15, students. For reservations, call Leah Foltyn, (248) 559- 8235.