Robin Williams. Yesterday, it was announced to the world that the comedic and actor renown, had passed away at age 62. Passed away......if I may, killed himself.I'm sure everyone is shocked, saddened and have possibly shed a tear or two. He is to Clinical Depression and Addiction, what Michael J. Fox is to Parkinson's. With one exception.....he kept his living hell private.
Williams often spoke publicly about his decades-long bout with substance abuse.“It’s (addiction) — not caused by anything, it’s just there,” he told ABC’s Diane Sawyer in 2011. “It waits. It lays in wait for the time when you think, ‘It’s fine now, I’m OK.’ Then, the next thing you know, it’s not OK.
Had Williams been more open, gotten past the feeling of isolation and had spoken out, brought awareness to Clinical Depression and Addiction, given all his efforts to research, as Michael J. Fox does, perhaps he would have seen how important his life was....would not have felt so alone and dark.
Without the familiarity of someone struggling with a disease, the disease is overwhelming and very isolating. But just say, Michael J. Fox, and one makes an immediate connection to the struggle and life lessons of living with Parkinson's. If only Robin Williams had been able to do this with mental health issues, those struggling would have felt a connection, would not suffer silently, and possibly saved a life....perhaps even his own.
Thank you for the laughter, may you rest in peace.
* I needed to add this post script. 24 hrs after I wrote this, Robin William's wife made an announcement that he had just been diagnosed in the early stages of Parkinson's Disease. Wow......just......wow.
Had Williams been more open, gotten past the feeling of isolation and had spoken out, brought awareness to Clinical Depression and Addiction, given all his efforts to research, as Michael J. Fox does, perhaps he would have seen how important his life was....would not have felt so alone and dark.
Without the familiarity of someone struggling with a disease, the disease is overwhelming and very isolating. But just say, Michael J. Fox, and one makes an immediate connection to the struggle and life lessons of living with Parkinson's. If only Robin Williams had been able to do this with mental health issues, those struggling would have felt a connection, would not suffer silently, and possibly saved a life....perhaps even his own.
Thank you for the laughter, may you rest in peace.
