Down But Never Out: A Collection Of Poetry

Down But Never Out is meant to be an inspirational book that will encourage, motivate, and give you hope and faith to persevere when inner turmoil is clouding your thoughts. May you take away from this book a positive view you can refer to when feeling overwhelmed.The collection is really written in two parts. Most of the poems in the first half of the book were rewritten from entries in my journal, which I began keeping at age 14. They reflect my initial struggle with mental illness but, more importantly, a shift in mindset that occurred after I participated in the day treatment program at Care Plus NJ. Before then I was experiencing writer's block, and my writing seemed rote. But after enrolling in Care Plus NJ's weekly journal group and a few years later a poetry and drama group there, I gradually regained my writer's voice, though I still felt frustrated. Then one day out of the blue I came up with what I now think of as my signature poem, "Down But Never Out," and I've been writing ever since. Over the years I have received excellent care, and I attribute my success to Care Plus's commitment to helping people with various mental health and other disabilities live full, fulfilling lives. It's rewarding to be able to give back to the organization that helped me.I am sharing my story with you because for too long mental illness has been presented as something to be ashamed of. It's time that we can acknowledge our illness and work together to help ourselves and others. I hope you will be inspired by this collection. You may gain a new perspective, knowing that you are not alone. You may also discover you have a fighting determination and willpower despite whatever issues or problems you're facing. Read it and find a passage or two to help you redirect your thoughts and encourage you to keep pressing on, as I am doing each and every day.

• | Author: Gina Renee Drakeford
• | Publisher: Care Plus Foundation, Inc.
• | Publication Date: Mar 08, 2019
• | Number of Pages: 54 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback/Poetry
• | ISBN-10: 0998045411
• | ISBN-13: 9780998045412