Up Close and personal 8
Hey everyone, I hope you’re all well today. This is my eighth new style of blog so far, I’m hoping you’re all enjoying it.
I’m going to have guests answer some questions and hope it helps someone out there.
Today, my eighth guest on the blog is my friend from twitter, who i have had on a podcast before. He’s a very loyal Reading FC fan, loves all sports. I love our sport conversations we have and Johnny is a true warrior and expert of lived experience, I’m grateful for him sharing his story.
Question 1.
You’re a loyal reading football club fan, and this is where I found you on social media. Would you say football is a release for everyone that goes?
I can’t speak on everyone’s behalf but for me, and a lot of people, it is an escape for 90 mins from whatever is going on in life. You see friends while you watch the game, and hope for a win.
Being a Reading FC fan, with all our off the field issues, this has really impacted so many people’s mental health, but the team is doing an amazing job in the circumstances
Question 2.
I know through sharing online, you have an eating disorder, I’ve not really heard of an eating disorder with a man, it’s mainly young girls and women, is it as common in men as it is with women?
Eating disorders In men is much more common than people are aware of! Men don’t talk enough about their mental health as we know. It’s certainly much more common than everyone realises. I started with my issues back in the early 90s.
Question 3.
Again, through your work on social media and personal conversations, I know you have bipolar disorder. Do you think this is more commonly known, or should more work be done to educate people correctly on this condition?
Like so many mental health issues, it needs to be an everyday conversation. Bipolar doesn’t define who I am, just like the eating disorder, it’s just part of my identity, and I’m ok with that. I’m comfortable talking about it, and I want to make it the same for everyone else
Thank you Johnny. I hope Reading FC is safe during the issues they are facing.
This new blog of mine is coming to you every Thursday from 9.30 am UK time.
Thank you for reading, and if you want to take part, please drop a comment or leave me an email.
One Response
Dear John
I have been to Reading a few times.
1. Reading Festival many moons ago.
2. Reading deaf club for my Uncle Christopher’s Wake.
3. To visit Microsoft Building 3.
The worst thing about MH in my opinion is Stigma. If an individual can get past this barrier to a happier life then a happier life manifests. We still have ups and downs, however, stigma in my case seems to amplify the effect.
>I< think stigma is externally generated rather than internally generated. For that reason community should consider itself. There is so much loyalty and respect for other people in MH Lived Experience world.
I would suggest that football is a massive sport in the UK, let alone the world. If a person supports a part of it they contribute to a continuing ethos. Anything that continues a good thing is good, I hope.
Sport on the whole is good and healthy, although some of the extremes the sports men and women have to go to is quite exacting on their body and mind.
I hope this comment is passable. 🙂
KR
David