Trekking/Climbing Messages of Support
I would like to congratulate Stuart for all he has done for raising positive awareness of schizophrenia.David Cameron. Prime Minister.
You’re a champion of a man, with a champion of a heart, and you will be an inspiration to so many fighting the struggles you have gone through. By way of advice, the key to climbing is to be able to summon up those reserves of energy that we at times doubt we possess, but that is deep within us all; make wise decisions up there and above all come back safely. You’re loved by many. God’s speed.
Bear Grylls. Adventurer.
I certainly wish Stuart all the best with his climbs in the Himalayas. It is always a huge and daunting challenge and the outcome is always uncertain. Some of the challenges come from unexpected quarters such as home sickness, loneliness, a private dread of the objective dangers high on the mountain and perhaps worst of all that knawing fear of whether YOU will be up to the task. But Stuart has already had to deal with some substantial challenges and this may even fortify him for the long hard climb ahead.
Peter Hillary, Explorer.
steve Subject: Go man go!
You're the best. You offer inspiration and hope to us all. Hope you find your funding...
Name: Dan Dare Subject: Absolutely Brilliant
You are amazing. An inspiration to us all. Dan.
Name: Karl Williamson (Subject: :)
Your story is incredibly interesting and i wish you nothing but the best of luck! Your previous experience on Mera Peak (from what i saw from the BBC website)looked nothing but breath taking. You saw beauties which most people would never dream of experiencing. I look forward to viewing your documentary and i shall stay interested and supportive untill the end. Keep yer chin up buttercup! Karl Williamson
Name: Patrick Dottridge Subject: Congratulations
Well done, sterling effort.
Name: Sarah Subject: Good Luck!
You have, and will continue to serve as an inspiration to many.
Name: SLAPS Subject: Everest, here we come!
I hope you and your team succeed this fantastic challenge next spring. I trekked the Annapurna circuit in '97 and totally get where you are coming from. It was an experience that changed my life forever, you feel so small up there among those amazing mountains and yet somehow protected! It is totally mind blowing and since then I dream of returning to discover another little piece of that magical place. Good luck to you and let the gods guide you on your courageous path.
Name: mdohoney Subject: Best wishes
Good luck and thank you for sharing your journey and your courage! You inspire and teach us all!
Name: Paulina K Subject: wonderful
Hi Stuart - you are an inspiration! I was diagnosed eight years ago Bipolar I, classic and severe, as I have been told. I feel the stigma and fear that society reflects to me, the stigma burns slow and keeps it's coals red hot. I vacillate from hiding, to standing tall and proud of who I am. Your story and attitude frees something inside of me, spurs me on to continue with vigor and enthusiasm while working towards my dream. Years ago I started studying and working in film to use the medium as a tool to help create change within the mental 'health' system. I will reach up to my mountain. Thank you for showing me it is possible! I wish you so much success and applaude your journey. Paulina
hi my name is kc. i just want to say keep on going until you reach the top. life is too short to let others say you cant achieve your dreams. if you believe in yourself then that is what matters most. if you think you can do it stuart then go and do it. forget those who say otherwise. KC.
Steven Johnson-Subject: Keep going
i have read your story with much interest. you are an inspiration to all of those who have mental illness and many who dont. sj
Jan Olson Subject: Go for it.
hi, my name is jan. please keep climbing your dreams. it will help others. good luck.
Name: Terry Bradford Subject: Keep going
dear stuart keep going for your dreams. you are helping so many people out there. you can only inspire so many with your own aims and ambitions and will help many to reach their own goals in life. just keep going for it mate...and keep proving people wrong. T
Name: Daniel Subject: Best Wishes
Good luck mate
Name: Grissom Subject: The climb
Stuart keep looking for sponsors , even if it takes you until o8 or o9 to get the funds
Name: James Stevenson Subject: You can do this!
Having such a diagnosis myself means I am somewhat able to empathise with your situation...Schizophrenia is different for everybody - but I'm sure like me you've dealt with a lot of the same issues, and blatant misunderstanding by people in general as well as those in the medical profession. Personally I beleive you can do this...having watched the film. I'm glad somebody with such a diagnosis is willing to make such a stand in the face of what other people would label 'adversity'. Personally...I don't label it as 'adversity'...naturally it doesn't make things easy - but you know best how to deal with the condition - and you also know that you can achieve your goal. I will be keeping an eye on this site. I'm glad that there's somebody out there with schizophrenia who's not willing to lay down to other peoples ill-informed perception of themselves...nobody has the right to tell you what you are and are not capable of doing. I know you can do it. Rooting for you Stuart.
Name: John Soden Subject: fighting spirit
Stuart, Whether you achieve your ambition to climb everest or even if you don't you have proved already that you are a real fighter in life. I know myself how hard it is with to cope on a daily basis with the illness. What you have already taken on and achieved is very commendable. I don't think people realize that even to make it to basecamp is a tremendous effort. A lot of people can learn from your achievements. Keep up the fighting spirit and best of luck.
Name: Dewi Subject: Everest
Stuart, I read about your story as part of my psychiatry placement at Keele Medical School. Best wishes in your quest for the summit, you are an inspiration to us all. Dewi Griffiths - Keele/Manchester Medical School.
Name: Ill Kapitan Subject: Much respect and love
I'm going to be following you all the way, Stuart. Much respect and love to you for this inspiring endevour. Peace.
Name: Amy Bott
Subject: Good Luck
Hi Stuart, You are truly inspirational. I have depression and anxiety disorder and I have often thought about partaking in something to raise awareness and help mental health charities. Your acheivements and plans have just encouraged me to do so! All the best with your challenge. I am sure you will do amazingly well. Amy
Name: Himanshu Shekhar Subject: Message of Support
Hello Stuart, I was elated to hear about your plans. You are an inspiration to me. May god give you the strength many more peaks in life. With Best Wishes, Himanshu Shekhar Special Correspondent India TV
Name: william alan johnstone Subject: everest expedition
Hi Stuart. your bmj article is an inspirtation to all humans, sick and well! My thoughts and prayers are with you in you latest endeavour.. I was particularly intestedd in my patients with psychiatric illnesses when in general practice .... and managed to make a contribution to that field of medical knowledge by demonstrating that hidden disorders can be accurately detected and treated in that setting ( for which I was awarded a post graduate doctorate) Good wiahes ... Alan
Name: Edmond O`Flaherty Subject: Nutritional treatment of psychiatric conditions
Dear Stuart, I am glad to hear that you are doing so well and best of luck to you on your climb. I am a G.P. in Dublin and have a special interest in psychiatric conditions. I notice that your health care professionals were very negative about your condition so you had a mountain to climb to escape from that point of view. I have a much more positive view of mental illness.I do various tests on the chemistry of the body and then try to normalise those chemicals.About 50% of those with schizophrenia or bipolar and up to 80% of those with depression get a significant improvement. Those with a history of psychosis have to continue their meds too though although the consultants usually reduce the doses in due course as they get well.15% of OCD patients respond and 0% of Downs.Autism is now treatable too if started by age 4.I saw one patient this week who dropped of of college three years ago due to schizophrenia and after getting his biochemisry right he has now gone on to get a first class honours degree and a good job. I have described this in more detail at www.omega3.20megsfree.com
Name: Stuart Baker-Brown Subject: Love and thoughts.
my thoughts and love are with you and your family. mental illness can too often result in tragedy. i have nearly been there myself. i wish, finances permitting, to climb everest and offer light and hope to all sufferers, to ease pain and inspire all to carry on living life to the full. love to you. stuart.
Name: Lee-Anne Subject: You are such an Inspiration
We lost my brother earlier this year, he suffered with mental illness for 13 years and then finally decided he could no longer cope (age 31), I cannot put into words how much we miss him. Your determination and courage is truly inspiring, I wish you all the luck in the world and we will follow you in our thoughts all the way to the top. Good Luck x
Pat Baker-Brown
Subject: You
Stuart, I am very proud of what you have achieved and how much support you have given to other people in the same circumstances. I heard your radio five interview and wish you all the luck in the world. I know you will get everything you are aiming for. I never stop praying for you. Love.
Name: Sarah Bentley
Subject: Why I am here? and good luck.
My mother is currently in hospital after a psychotic episode. Her first serious one at 45. She thought she was god and that my father was the devil. My mother is a christian and I believe her voices confused her. I was familiarising myself with other expereiences via the internet and have found it helpful. I think I can be more helpful now. Good luck on the climb - you are inspiration to all. Sarah
Name: Klaudia Subject: THANKS!!!
Hello........ My name is klaudia .......... And I wish .....I really wish I was more like you................. I believe that any physical limitation can be overcome........the mental or spiritual ones are to me the real mision, almost imposible for most of us humans......sooooo.... when someone like you brake our the obstacles and prevale.........I can only see you as heros......the real ones....the ones who show to normal square people, how our will is more powerful than any thing...... I really wish I was like you ....... smiles and lots of thanks for existing......... Peace And Love
Ann Wellnitz (Subject: Admiration, Inspiration
Your symbolic climb speaks for itself. At least, I cannot seem to find words adequate to describe how powerful a message you are sending to all who suffer from mental illness and to society. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors.
Name: Chester Subject: Look forward to it
Hi Stuart, this is a fantastic expedition that you are going on and I look forward to hearing more about it. I will check in regularly to read your diary and keep up with your progress. This will be an amazing journey that you are going on and I look forward to joining you on it; if only in spirit. I can't wait to see the documentary and believe that it will be truly inspirational to everyone who watches it. I wish you the best of luck with your fundraising and will spread the word about the expedition to all my friends. Thanks again, Chester.
Name: vykky (Subject: your journey
stuart, as a sufferer from schizoaffective disorder and ocd,i think that what you are doing is absolutely amazing. and i want to say all the more power to you and your journey. peace&joy, your friend, vykky
Name: Val Cole Subject: Wow!
So inspiring to read this I know what it must be like on a daily basis for you my son was scizophrenic but killed himself 3 years ago to do this is truly amazing!Will avidly watch this space!Good Luck.
Name: Jan Richardson Subject: More power to your elbow, Stuart!
Wishing you all the luck in the world, you're a star! I've recently started work with a local mental health charity having spent most of my life battling with social phobia and depression. I'm passionate about tackling stigma and believe that everyone with a mental illness is a unique special person who has the right to live life to the full. It's just like anyone else with a chronic illness, we have rough days and ordinary days and society needs to accept that. Best wishes Jan x
Name: Charlotte Laugharne Subject: Support for Stuart
I followed a link to this website from the Mantal Health Foundation e-bulletin. I'd like to support Stuart's effort because he will be achieving a great deal both on a personal level and in representing people who have to live with mental health problems. I hope this expedition gets loads of support, publicity and sponsorship.
Name: Rob Scheepens Subject: Respect!
Stuart, I just wanted to let you know that I have huge respect for you and your awesome adventure! Go, Stuart, go!
Name: Shaun McNeil Subject: Message of Support
I would like to commend Stuart for his amazing determination and dedication to defeat the stigma of mental health problems. Shaun McNeil Interim Secretary VOX-Voices Of eXperience (Scotland's National Mental Health Service User Organisation)