Bill, please never apologize for your point of view when you come to one of my posts. Years ago after I was told I needed a third back operation with the pins and screws and was told I might not walk properly. This was after a bitter divorce. I went into a extreme depression and was put on a watch list. The only thing that got me through this was a man I met that could make you laugh with any subject and he told me if you cannot laugh at the hardships put in front of you then you will never last in this world. I hope this explains my point of view – Peace and Love my brother!

Hello Kathy

     Do you really think I am having a sensitive day. Well, this is a different day and I still feel the same. Heard any good cancer jokes lately. How about the ones about paraplegics not being able to swim. Am I the only one sensitive to this type of humor? We have soldiers killing themselves because they have some of the problems that are being used to entertain people in this forum. Do you think any of them might also be subject to having a sensitive day?

Hello Nick

    I think you may have misunderstood something in my post. I really didn't apologize for expressing my viewpoint. While it is wonderful that you have learned to laugh at adversity in your own life, we have to understand that there are many people who have not yet learned this particular coping skill. I am one of the lucky few, like you, who hs learned to accept life as it comes. I too have had two back operations and four knee surgeries. Presently, I am dealing with the loss of all of my hearing in my left ear and about %50 in my right ear. Also, I have lost my equilibrium. I do walk funny now because I am continually struggling to keep from falling down. And Yes, I do laugh at myself sometimes. It does help me cope a little better. Laughing at myself is one thing but laughing at someone else with the same problem is something else. When I go to the VA hospital and see veterans still around from WW11, walking funny, It is all I can do to break a smile as I greet them. I couldn't even force a laugh if I tried. Mental illness is something that really needs to be taken more seriously. People have to understand that it is a real illness and that it is just as debilitating as other types of illnesses. We also have to remember that the vast majority of people with a mental illness do not get the treatment they need and there are two main reasons for this. The number one reason people with MI don;t get treatment is because of the stigma associated with their illness. They are afraid of being chastised, discriminated against and made fun of. The other main reason for the lack of treatment is because treatment isn't available. It isn't available because our government doesn't take mental illness very serious either and insurance companies don't cover this illness like it does other illnesses. The truth of the matter is that in America, there are more people with a mental illness behind bars than there are in treatment. Not because they are criminals either but, because they have not gotten the care that they need and are entitled to. Trust me. There are a lot of people in this world who would find it very difficult to laugh at this type of humor.

   One last thing. You didn't answer my question about copying these jokes and putting them up on my mental health forum to see how other people might feel about this. I assure you that tis is not just about me having a sensitive day.