Visit

2009 Winner - Isaiah Uliss Advocacy Award

Dr. Margo E. McMahon
Mental Health Recovery Specialist In the Office of Consumer Affairs
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Western MA Area Office

Speech given at MassPRA Conference on Friday, December 9th 2009:

I am so surprised, amazed and deeply honored to be the recipient of this award. Thank you so very much.

A heartfelt thanks to the people who helped me along the way and encouraged me to find my voice and speak my truth.

• To Betsy and Ralph, my previous therapist and psychiatrist who heard my need for an alternative to the traditional spirit-breaking mental health system;
• To Pat Deegan, Rene Andersen and Mary Ellen Copeland who mentored me along the way; • To the BU Center for Psych Rehabilitation, especially Dori Hutchinson, Debbie Nicolellis, Lynn Legere an Joan Rapp who have been tremendous supporters in my education and work;
• To everyone at Human Resources Unlimited (HRU’s) Star Light Center Clubhouse where I go for support and to maintain my sanity when I need support or a break from the stress in my work or in my life;
• To my family of friends in Amherst and Western Mass;
• To my WRAP buddy, former housemates and colleagues Cheryl Stevens, MD and Michael Babcock, LICSW, along with MA WRAP and the gang of peers with lived experience in trauma, mental health and addiction recovery I’ve been privileged to work with at DMH, the Transformation Center, M-Power, and the National Empowerment Center.
• To my DMH Area Director, Liz Sullivan, my supervisors past and present, Kerry Holland, Joan Gruszkowski and Nick Simms, along with Mary Ellen Foti, MD, Steve Holochuck, my colleagues at the Department of Mental Health (DMH), all who nurtured, sustained and encouraged my advocacy. Their support allowed me to be a visible presence and reminder within the DMH that the system needed to make a paradigm shift to a trauma informed/trauma specific, person-first, recovery oriented system.

I am an individual with lived trauma, mental health and addiction experience in recovery. This experience is but one aspect of who I am. I’m here to tell you that living well, living into your recovery one day at a time is extremely important.

For those of us who were ever told that their only hope for the future was a back ward somewhere, or the revolving door of a hospital, or custodial care, I am here to tell you that recovery is our best revenge! Each one of us has survived. We will continue to survive and thrive in our recovery if we support one another. Life is a gift we have been given. Live it well. Live it out in the light for all to see. Finally, live proud, be proud. There is no shame in recovery. Thank you.

Selection Criteria

Isaiah Uliss was a pioneer in advocacy by a person in recovery from a psychiatric disability. He used his background as a Teamster’s Union Treasurer within Center Club to build a national reputation as an aggressive advocate. He served on Center Club’s board of directors at a time when this was unheard of by people with psychiatric disabilities who were also service recipients. He developed a reputation for speaking truth to power at every opportunity, loudly and clearly but with humor and (mostly) grace. He related to governors and other leaders in exactly the same manner as he did to members of Center Club, and he came to serve as in inspiration for generations of peer advocates that followed him.

The Isaiah Uliss award is being presented for the sixth year.
Previous recipients have been:
• Paul Seifert, IAPSRS (USPRA)
• Jonathan Delman, Consumer Quality Initiatives of Massachusetss
• Deborah Delman, M-POWER
• Moe Armstrong, Vinfen
• Marcia Webster, The Transformation Center

Required:

• Individual has made a significant contribution to promoting quality psychiatric rehabilitation services
• Individual has taken a public, leadership role in psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery activities
• Individual has made a significant contribution over an extended period of time, thereby showing dedication and persistence
• Individual has succeeded as a change agent, influencing attitudes and practices in rehabilitation and recovery

Preferred:

• Individual is a self-identified person in recovery
• Individual is a USPRA member
• Individual has been active in MassPRA and/or USPRA affairs
• Individual has demonstrated creativity and/or critical thinking, changing the way psychiatric disability, rehabilitation and recovery are viewed

Nomination Process

Any USPRA member can nominate a person who meets the above criteria. The Board of Directors of MassPRA will select the award recipient from among the qualified nominees. Nominations are due October 31st, 2009, and the winner will be announced and presented at the MassPRA conference on December 4th, 2009.

Submissions must contain the following information:
• Nominees name, address and telephone number (either home or work), e-mail (if possible), and any other contact information
• Nominator's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail.
• A narrative between 1/2 and 2 pages in length describing how the nominee meets the criteria above and why they are deserving of the award.

Send by snail mail or e-mail to:
Mary C. Gregorio
Center Club 31 Bowker Street Boston MA 02114
e-mail mgregorio@baycove.org
For more information, call 617-788-1002