Catherine Velat

HD 361
Professor Jarman
Written Paper #1
5/16/15
I am a single woman with a mental disability and therefore I belong to
the Pacific Clinics Wellness Center to help me lead a better life. My roles in
this group have been a group facilitator, as well as going to a number of
groups, and now going to QAB (Quality Assurance Board) which is a select
group of individuals that have a mental health condition, in order to help us
get the care that we need so that we can lead a good and normal life. My
position in this particular group is to help is to help myself and others like
me to advocate for my rights that we have as people with a mental disability.
In terms of my sense of identity I am starting to see just who I am
now more than when I was first diagnosed with a mental disability.
Although, it has not been easy; because, of the way that the media portrays
the people with a mental illness disability though. They make it always that
persons fault sometimes they cannot help but be the way that they are.
I also belong to a cancer wellness center for about a year or two now. I
have started going there shortly after I started going through chemotherapy
about years ago. My role at that particular time was a client; but, now it is a

volunteer once a week for about four hours a week. My sense of identity is
someone who likes to give back to the community when they can.
My position in these two groups has in a way has helped me to
strengthen who I am and stand up for my rights, not only as a single woman
with a mental disability; but also, as a single woman who has overcome
cancer. The cancer wellness center has made me stronger by allowing me to
go to the groups there; as well as, attend support groups, and even doing
volunteer work there once a week.
My definition of social justice is to hold on to a belief and
righteousness, and also to not judge a person or cause in someones own
community.