Kindest Regards, Wayne Gearey geareyw@cadvision.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 5:08 AM Subject: [CCC-L] Genetically Inherited Diseases - Depression - Part 1 > DEPRESSION > > By Muriel M. Davidson > > The weather is very damp and the sky is without a hint of sun! > How often have we remarked or heard others say the "day is depressing!" > However, as soon as the sun warms the earth, which lightens our moods, > the depressive feeling disappears. Many are not so fortunate as he or > she > suffers from a disease caused by a possibly inherited gene, not the > weather. > I am referring to an honest-to-goodness illness -- clinical > depression. > This disease, unrecognized by many, is probably the biggest single > medical cause behind most human sufferings and illnesses. This > condition > strikes as many as one of every five persons. Very often many who > suffer > from this common malady are undiagnosed. The victims of this > genetically inherited disease are generally regarded as strange, > weird, > often unable to associate with others, which compounds and increases > the problem. > Personally I am one of the fortunate ones with diagnosis years > ago. > My two sons have also been diagnosed, but my daughter did not inherit > this gene, nor did her children. There have been other family members > known from previous generations. > Sufferers of depression are all around us -- the homeless, the > alcoholic, > those trying to survive within the confines of society. The ailment has > no > class distinction, is a genetically inheritable disease -- very often > family > doctors prescribe sedating medication. > There is still an age-old fear of psychiatrists -- often the > patient is > simply not referred. Close relatives refuse to accept the family member > is a victim of an ancient gene, therefore not realizing the > psychological > condition is treatable not only by suitable medication, but mainly > family understanding. > Many with clinical depression, unlike the gloomy day > depressives, > often resort to alcohol, drugs, resorting to crime so more expensive > drugs can be obtained. This is the way of dealing with how he or she > feels. > Many of the young people who commit suicide or fill our jails and > prisons are victims of this age-old mood inhibitor. Although many > have a high degree of intelligence, due to depression, they are > unable to make friends, become loners and eventually many do > commit suicide. > - 8 - > ----------------------------- > Depression - Continued: > > The gene that causes clinical depression dates back to the cave > age, is ancient and is not a mutant gene. Depressed brains do not > function properly, very often there is a chemical imbalance. The > inability to function properly is similar to brain wires being cut -- > preventing the transmission of emotions and rational thoughts. > The victims feel empty, unable to think, often unable to remain > employed. An example of non-functioning brain wires is the inability > to send an internet message when the server is unoperational. > Many family researchers have studied Canadian census records > of 1871, 1881, 1891and 1901 -- we are grateful for some of the > personal questions asked by enumerators when it seems a family > member "disappeared" -- yet still living. Working with church records, > we find there generally is NO recorded trace of the relative's > disappearance among our census records. > Years ago, in my family, as in many other families, family members > were admitted to the "county home" or "poor farm". with personal > family history denoting a mental disorder. This disorder was possibly > a form of depression -- unrecognized years ago. > The family members disappeared without a trace because > census records WERE NOT taken of institutional residents. Although > alive, they were not included, unless residing in a community and > he or she were listed as having a mental disability. We are thankful > these intrusive questions were asked by the enumerators -- there is > acceptance in knowing. > My family members know I suffer from depression, have refused > medication, but prefer my own "treatment" -- keep busy and active. > I have accepted depression, part of the healing process -- often > reading or crocheting is better than routine household chores. > Part of my personal treatment is a great deal of "people contact":- > > 1. Coordinator of 150 knitters for Brampton Memorial Hospital > maternity ward, a volunteer position -- my daughter is my "boss". > 2. Eight family history books researched, printed and filed at National > Archives. > 3. Public relations for my Rebekah lodge, IOOF. > 4. Recently serving as liaison for 31 local Brampton service clubs > with the local city newspaper, where I had been women's editor. > This is a challenge -- a first!! > 5. An active member of the internet-based Canadian Census > Release Committee. > - 9 - > ------------------------- > Depression - Continued:- > > My two sons combat their depressive problems differently. > The oldest son is in sales and administration at a large motorcycle > shop, races motorcycles and gets rid of any nagging problems > at the gym. > The youngest son, a long-distance truck driver, has a chemical > imbalance. He combats SADD by turning on lights to counteract > lack of sun and Vitamin D, plus medication. > In summary, many who suffer from depression could live a > normal community life through acceptance. People need to be > accepted for "what they can do" -- not "what they have". This is > one strong way of living with a disease that dates back to the > early days of mankind. > As an active member of the internet-based Canadian Census > Release Campaign, it is out sincere hope the Expert Panel will > report favorably to have the 1911 and future Canadian census > records made available for research by families faced with > Genetically Inheritable Diseases. Many are anxiously awaiting > your report. > Thank you for serving on this appointed committee. > > Sincerely, > > Muriel M. Davidson > 25 Crestview Avenue > Brampton, ON L6W 2R8 > <davidson3542@home.com> > > > > > > > > > > Depression - Continued:- > > The young people of today are intelligent, want to know family answers. > Many > denominational avenues of research are unavailable. It is for this > reason the most accurate > of all documents, our Canadian census records, must be released and made > available to all. > It is only through usage of the Post-1901 census records, young > researchers will > learn of any possibly inherited mental illness, to include depression. > They will then be able > to deal with it and prepared, so correct diagnosis may be made by our > modern medical > system. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >