Blazing a Trail: My Journey to Illuminate Mental Health and PNES

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

These words echo in my mind as I stand at the edge of the familiar, peering into the uncharted territory of mental health advocacy and PNES awareness. The well-trodden paths of silence and stigma stretch out behind me, but ahead lies a wilderness of possibility, waiting to be explored and transformed.

I've decided to be a trailblazer and hoping to form a non-profit, Seizing Hope: The Tim Crawley Foundation.

The journey to become a trailblazer began in the intimate spaces of my own life, watching my husband battle the twin giants of depression and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES). I realized that our struggle was not unique, but part of a larger, often hidden landscape of challenges faced by countless individuals and families.

The path of least resistance would be to keep our struggles private, to navigate this terrain alone. But that path leads nowhere new. Instead, I choose to forge ahead, to create a new way through the thicket of misunderstanding and isolation that surrounds mental health and PNES.

With each step forward, I clear away the underbrush of misconception:

• I speak openly about our experiences, normalizing conversations about mental health and PNES.
• I educate myself and others, replacing fear with understanding.
• I challenge stigma wherever I encounter it, from doctor's offices to friendly conversations.

It's not easy work. There are days when the terrain seems impassable, when I'm tempted to turn back. But I press on, knowing that each difficult step makes the way easier for those who will follow.

As I move forward, I leave markers for others to find:

• I share our story through social media, blogs, and conversations.
• I connect with others facing similar challenges, creating a network of support and shared knowledge.
• I advocate for better research, treatment options, and understanding of PNES and mental health conditions.

These markers are not just signposts; they're beacons of hope, assuring others that they're not alone in their journey.

Where I encounter obstacles too large to clear alone, I build bridges:

• I collaborate with healthcare professionals to improve understanding and treatment of PNES.
• I work with mental health organizations to include PNES in their advocacy efforts.
• I reach out to policymakers, pushing for better recognition and support for those affected by these conditions.

Each bridge connects isolated islands of experience, creating a stronger, more united community.

What began as a solitary path gradually widens. Others are joining me, adding their voices, their stories, their strength to the journey. Together, we're creating not just a trail, but a road - a way forward that's visible, accessible, and inviting to all who need it.

As I pause to look back at how far we've come, I'm filled with a mix of pride and determination. The trail we're blazing is still rough in places, still winding its way through challenging terrain. But it's there - a clear alternative to the old paths of silence and isolation.

I see others finding their way along this trail, and my heart swells. Families feeling less alone, individuals finding the courage to seek help, healthcare providers gaining new insights and approaches. This is why we blaze trails - not for ourselves alone, but for all who will journey here.

The horizon still holds much uncharted territory. There's so much more to discover about PNES, so many more minds to open about mental health. But I'm no longer daunted by the vastness of the task. I've learned that every great journey begins with a single step, and that even the widest roads started as humble trails.

So I'll keep walking, keep clearing, keep building. I'll continue to shine a light on the realities of living with PNES and mental health challenges. I'll persist in challenging the status quo and pushing for better understanding and support.

Because that's what trailblazers do. We go where there is no path, and we leave a trail. A trail of hope, of understanding, of change. A trail that leads to a world where no one faces mental health challenges or PNES alone, where support and understanding are as abundant as the obstacles once were.

This is my path. This is my purpose. And step by step, day by day, I'm creating a trail that will lead us all to a brighter, more compassionate future.