Surviving the Asylum - McLenaghan, Michael

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Résumé :
In this raw and poignant memoir, Michael recounts his harrowing journey through the psychiatric system and his struggle to find purpose after losing custody of his beloved autistic grandson. After a suicide attempt lands him in a geriatric psychiatric ward for the third time in recent years, Michael finds himself cut off from the outside world and the grandson he raised for three decades. Facing abuse and isolation, he contemplates ending it all. But a lifeline appears in the form of his vocal coach and support worker, who encourage him to channel his pain into art. As Michael discovers new passions in singing, painting, and poetry, he forges an unexpected friendship with a fellow patient that reignites his will to live. This powerful story of resilience and reinvention shows how creativity and human connection can offer hope even in the darkest of times. Michael's journey reminds us that it's never too late to find a new voice and a reason to keep singing....

Biographie:
Fortunately, Mike, the author, was born just months after WWII, when life was full of excitement and change. By the age of four he was already working as a chimney sweep, and by eight he was up and out at 4 a.m. on the milk run in a horse?and?cart, seven days a week in rain, snow, or sunshine. He went on to have a diverse military career with tanks and paratroopers, followed by five migrations to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada - all for just the ?10 assisted?passage fare offered to Poms. Over more than 30 years of travel and global business ventures, he built a life of adventure and achievements, gaining a level of success beyond anything he had imagined. Over the next 35 years, Mike experienced severe mental health issues, including anxiety, Parkinson's disease, loss of mobility, depression, strokes, dyslexia, and various forms of dementia such as senility and Alzheimer's. Now categorised as Severely Mentally Impaired, he lost everything: his wealth, banking properties, and even his marriage. Like countless others, he felt robbed by a system that offers no avenue for appeal. Now, 80, as an accomplished writer and author, he has published three notable works: A History of Chimney-Sweeping, Who Cares Who Wins, and Surviving the Asylum. His latest work continues to add to this rich portfolio. In addition to writing, he is passionate about painting, poetry, singing, and entertaining. Each day is indeed an adventure...

Sommaire:
In this raw and poignant memoir, Michael recounts his harrowing journey through the psychiatric system and his struggle to find purpose after losing custody of his beloved autistic grandson. After a suicide attempt lands him in a geriatric psychiatric ward for the third time in recent years, Michael finds himself cut off from the outside world and the grandson he raised for three decades. Facing abuse and isolation, he contemplates ending it all. But a lifeline appears in the form of his vocal coach and support worker, who encourage him to channel his pain into art. As Michael discovers new passions in singing, painting, and poetry, he forges an unexpected friendship with a fellow patient that reignites his will to live. This powerful story of resilience and reinvention shows how creativity and human connection can offer hope even in the darkest of times. Michael's journey reminds us that it's never too late to find a new voice and a reason to keep singing....