Page 158 - ReAwaken Ebook 1st Ed

ReAwaken Ripples

The pieces below are written by some of the amazing people who participated in
ReAwaken. They include reflections on the event itself, as well as the ripple effects they
have observed both personally and within the community as a result of ReAwaken.

‘A utopian experience’ by Suki Marek

Looking back on what was a profound week, I have many
feelings about what it meant to me. I may or may not
label them all, I haven’t decided yet. I went into opening

night not having a clue what to expect but I just knew I
needed to be there. After all, it was a group of
consumers and people from the mental health industry

that had some amazing ideas and plans to improve the
system from the inside out. How great!

I got to know people that I knew briefly from along my
journey and I met new friends. Some who had travelled
great distances to be there. As the week went on I noticed some emotion stirring in me, I

think hearing peoples stories and seeing the emotion through the art pieces felt like my
own stories and emotions, it reminded me of my own experiences and so I could

empathize. It made me think how we are not so different after all. We are all humans
with experiences that form who we are and maybe if we are able to stay in connection
with each other then I think in the end, we will all be ok? I don’t think it needs to be
complicated.

I did feel a bit out of my depth at first surrounded by all these amazing change makers

and dreamers. I needed to find my reason for being there. And I found it, for me I wanted
to just take it all in, learn as much as I could. Maybe make some new friends and most
importantly keep my heart and mind open.

My biggest take away from the event was witnessing the impromptu demonstration of
the peer supported open dialogue run by Amanda Waegeli and Cherie McGregor. It

sparked something in me, it worked! And I could see first hand how it worked.

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