Dr. Jane Pearson is a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health. She is part of the Suicide Research Team, studying every nuance of cause, treatment, continuity of care, history and prevention of suicides and attempted suicides, for one primary reason, to save lives. There is a huge need for the research being done at the NIMH. Finding any common thread across demographics can prove to be a boon to helping solve the unknown.Recently, while doing research of my own, I came across an interview of Dr. Pearson talking about the demographics of suicide. One of the most shocking statistics of all was that of caucasian males who are 85 and older. The rate of suicide for that group is 4 times the national average. My reaction was total shock.
Just as my two previous cross country Kindness Bicycles rides embraced a wider cross section of the issues I was riding for at the time, so too is becoming the case on this ride.
Just as my two previous cross country Kindness Bicycles rides embraced a wider cross section of the issues I was riding for at the time, so too is becoming the case on this ride.
With all the retirees in south Florida, this is an important place to be for interacting with that age group during my Ring Our Country with Kindness ride over the next couple of months.
I met dozens of people while riding today. Anthony, a junior in high school was bullied for the last few years. He met me as I was loading The Kindness Bicycle at the end of the day. He saw the piece on WINK a few nights ago and was hoping to meet with me before I left town. We had a nice conversation and when asked what got him through the tough times, he said, believing in himself.
The link of Dr. Pearson’s interview is below.
A few days ago in Naples, I met Mary, a mother who lost her daughter Stephanie to suicide in 2003. She is an incredibly strong woman. We met at her place of business and talked about all the good she is doing to help others who have lost a loved one. She has helped my travels by making a contact with the Parents Of Suicide organization. This worldwide support group is working wonders in the lives of the survivors. Mary has created a website, 
Joyce who is the Dream Team Coordinator at the Tree of Life Church, works to help people in need in her community. I met her group of volunteers who were creating custom blankets for seniors at a local nursing home. They find a needy group and work to fulfill the need of the particular group on a weekly basis. It is a nice way to be involved on a personal level with individuals who need a helping hand. Next week this same group is making cookies for safety forces. I was invited to help but I’d probably eat more than I make.
It has been nearly 4 years since I bought The Kindness Bus. It was a retired school bus that I found near Ann Arbor, Michigan. It has been through some incredible times and has certainly had a few hundred incredible quotes added to its body. I came across this photo on Facebook and forgot how very few messages were written when I first set out from Cleveland, Ohio. It was truly the beginning of something great.
I now have about 100 “favorite” cities in the United States and Naples, Florida is one of them. The gulf side of Florida has an entirely different feel than the Atlantic coast. It seems to be a slower paced lifestyle.
There are few things better in this world than to have a pet. Having an animal to care for in your life can bring you untold benefits. The responsibility of looking after an animal can improve your outlook on life. Knowing you have to be there to feed and care for your pet, teaches you how much you are depended upon and helps you to realize how much you are needed. It helps to overcome loneliness when there is a pet in your life. It teaches you caring responsibility.
There are people who come into our lives we feel comfortable with from the very first moment. People who become our friends and offer help and advice when asked. These individuals seem like they have been part of our lives all our life. These cherished friends are the ones we go to in our times of trouble. Some people are very easy to be around no matter your mood. These are the people we should surround ourselves with, as often as possible.
