Kindest Regards, Wayne Gearey geareyw@cadvision.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Wayne N. Gearey <geareyw@cadvision.com> To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 7:14 PM Subject: Fw: [CCC-L] Genetically Inherited Diseases - Depression - Part 1 > > 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. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >