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		<title>Friends of Recovery</title>
		<description>Vermont</description>
		<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org]]></link>
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			<title><![CDATA[Mary Rodgers]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[I am a survivor of childhood incest in which a made-for-TV movie portrayed the effects of abuse in my family. As a result, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress. In 2000, I had a severe brain hemorrhage, was in and out of a coma for 3 1/2 months, and had a near death experience. Putting my life together has been a life-long affair of self-discovery. Forgiveness, a lot of therapy, and the near death experience (that rocked me to the core) that brought my healing. I have discovered that my purpose here is to speak and to work with those who are suffering. My story has much to do with forgiveness, hope, and an unyielding faith in God. If there is one thing I have learned, whoever and where ever you are on your journey, you must have a willing spirit to do the necessary work in becoming fully healed. It's all about choices that we make with what we have been dealt. I am now dedicating my life to work as a healer, and to be a source of inspiration to others who suffer.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/mary_rodgers.jpg]]></link>
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			<media:title><![CDATA[Mary Rodgers]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[I am a survivor of childhood incest in which a made-for-TV movie portrayed the effects of abuse in my family. As a result, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress. In 2000, I had a severe brain hemorrhage, was in and out of a coma for 3 1/2 months, and had a near death experience. Putting my life together has been a life-long affair of self-discovery. Forgiveness, a lot of therapy, and the near death experience (that rocked me to the core) that brought my healing. I have discovered that my purpose here is to speak and to work with those who are suffering. My story has much to do with forgiveness, hope, and an unyielding faith in God. If there is one thing I have learned, whoever and where ever you are on your journey, you must have a willing spirit to do the necessary work in becoming fully healed. It's all about choices that we make with what we have been dealt. I am now dedicating my life to work as a healer, and to be a source of inspiration to others who suffer.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_mary_rodgers.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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			<title><![CDATA[Karen Kelley]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Karen was working full time and began to have trouble at work. Taking a leave of absence, she felt fearful, sad, confused, and lonely. She is now sometimes disabled by symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personalities), and major depression. She likes to tell her story to help others learn about her experiences in recovery and in dealing with stigma.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/karen_kelley.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/karen_kelley.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Karen Kelley]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Karen was working full time and began to have trouble at work. Taking a leave of absence, she felt fearful, sad, confused, and lonely. She is now sometimes disabled by symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personalities), and major depression. She likes to tell her story to help others learn about her experiences in recovery and in dealing with stigma.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_karen_kelley.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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			<title><![CDATA[Jill Allen, M.Ed.]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Jill holds a Master's degree in disability studies. She has been giving public speeches since early adolescence, talking about her experience with physical disabilities and telling people how to interact with people who have them. In 2003, she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, and she has been living with the intersection between her physical and mental disabilities.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/jill_allen.jpg]]></link>
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			<media:title><![CDATA[Jill Allen, M.Ed.]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Jill holds a Master's degree in disability studies. She has been giving public speeches since early adolescence, talking about her experience with physical disabilities and telling people how to interact with people who have them. In 2003, she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, and she has been living with the intersection between her physical and mental disabilities.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_jill_allen.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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			<title><![CDATA[Jay Berman]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Jay finds joy in helping other people — including both his friends and professionals learning how to treat people with Schizophrenia. He feels thankful to be part of a society where he can live in the community instead of being locked up either in the state hosp or a jail. A lot of traumatic experiences and living on the streets brought on his worst episodes. He knows now that "when I feel like I’m not myself – that other people are putting their thoughts into my head, I am slipping." He has learned that medication and having positive and hopeful thoughts can keep him from psychosis or suicide. Jay’s many interests and talents — woodworking, art, photography, biking, swimming, and occasional paid work help him "actuate" — to be the person he really is.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/jay_berman.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/jay_berman.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Jay Berman]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Jay finds joy in helping other people — including both his friends and professionals learning how to treat people with Schizophrenia. He feels thankful to be part of a society where he can live in the community instead of being locked up either in the state hosp or a jail. A lot of traumatic experiences and living on the streets brought on his worst episodes. He knows now that "when I feel like I’m not myself – that other people are putting their thoughts into my head, I am slipping." He has learned that medication and having positive and hopeful thoughts can keep him from psychosis or suicide. Jay’s many interests and talents — woodworking, art, photography, biking, swimming, and occasional paid work help him "actuate" — to be the person he really is.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_jay_berman.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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			<title><![CDATA[Jane Farnham]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Jane used to hide in her room and binge eat. She felt victimized, tormented, ashamed, resentful, and lonely. Later she became homeless. Jane describes her eating disorder as an addiction and thanks to the miracle of recovery, is substance free, eats healthily, exercises, and has a daily practice of prayer, meditation, and visualization. She is a long-term resident in a communal living environment and enjoys traveling, connecting with friends and family, listening to music and reading. Jane is the MHEI Treasurer, is on the Advisory Council, and is a project coordinator, and a speaker.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/jane_farnham.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/jane_farnham.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Jane Farnham]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Jane used to hide in her room and binge eat. She felt victimized, tormented, ashamed, resentful, and lonely. Later she became homeless. Jane describes her eating disorder as an addiction and thanks to the miracle of recovery, is substance free, eats healthily, exercises, and has a daily practice of prayer, meditation, and visualization. She is a long-term resident in a communal living environment and enjoys traveling, connecting with friends and family, listening to music and reading. Jane is the MHEI Treasurer, is on the Advisory Council, and is a project coordinator, and a speaker.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_jane_farnham.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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			<title><![CDATA[Gail Schwartz]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Gail is a multimedia performance artist and videographer. She has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and depression. She questions "the current paradigm of relating to 'shadow experiences'" and wonders whether the term "mental illness" is useful to for her. She wants to engage with others to learn about healthy and sustainable ways to address emotional suffering. Gail is currently a freelance teacher - of theater and piano. As a performing artist she is working on an interactive, solo piece called Crazy". Gail holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/gail_schwartz.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/gail_schwartz.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Gail Schwartz]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Gail is a multimedia performance artist and videographer. She has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and depression. She questions "the current paradigm of relating to 'shadow experiences'" and wonders whether the term "mental illness" is useful to for her. She wants to engage with others to learn about healthy and sustainable ways to address emotional suffering. Gail is currently a freelance teacher - of theater and piano. As a performing artist she is working on an interactive, solo piece called Crazy". Gail holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_gail_schwartz.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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			<title><![CDATA[Doris Hargrove]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Doris has been dealing with mental illness all of her life. She reports struggling – sometimes just to stay alive. In mid 2005, she began successful employment with the Westview Employment Service to build improved job opportunities for others with mental disorders. She works with businesses and job-seekers. That job has given her public speaking experience. Her determination to improve life for herself and for others is strong and she is eager to share her story.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/doris_hargrove.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/doris_hargrove.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Doris Hargrove]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Doris has been dealing with mental illness all of her life. She reports struggling – sometimes just to stay alive. In mid 2005, she began successful employment with the Westview Employment Service to build improved job opportunities for others with mental disorders. She works with businesses and job-seekers. That job has given her public speaking experience. Her determination to improve life for herself and for others is strong and she is eager to share her story.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_doris_hargrove.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
		</item>
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			<title><![CDATA[David Turner]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[David likes to tell others about the suffering he went through in the past, while showing - through his enthusiastic style of speaking - how happy he is now. He was depressed, addicted to drugs and homeless. It was Alcoholics Anonymous where he met people who had not given up. He gained hope and a social life there. He lives now on disability income and delights in the simplicity of his lifestyle and in his many friends.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/david_turner.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/david_turner.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[David Turner]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[David likes to tell others about the suffering he went through in the past, while showing - through his enthusiastic style of speaking - how happy he is now. He was depressed, addicted to drugs and homeless. It was Alcoholics Anonymous where he met people who had not given up. He gained hope and a social life there. He lives now on disability income and delights in the simplicity of his lifestyle and in his many friends.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_david_turner.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
		</item>
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			<title><![CDATA[Brian Cina]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Brian has many roles in relation to mental illness. He struggles with anxiety, depression, and other challenges associated with so-called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. He grew up in a home with his grandmother who suffered from a serious mental illness, a mood and thought disorder which he didn't understand at all as a child. Brian has many friends who struggle with a variety of mental illnesses. He currently is a social worker who provides professional services to clients of the Howard Center for Human Services and Transitional Services for Youth and Families. Despite his struggles, Brian strives to build on his strengths. His recovery has been dramatic and dynamic, including successful activities such as community building, channeling anger energy into positive outlets, using art to heal, and activism.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/brian_cina.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/brian_cina.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Brian Cina]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Brian has many roles in relation to mental illness. He struggles with anxiety, depression, and other challenges associated with so-called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. He grew up in a home with his grandmother who suffered from a serious mental illness, a mood and thought disorder which he didn't understand at all as a child. Brian has many friends who struggle with a variety of mental illnesses. He currently is a social worker who provides professional services to clients of the Howard Center for Human Services and Transitional Services for Youth and Families. Despite his struggles, Brian strives to build on his strengths. His recovery has been dramatic and dynamic, including successful activities such as community building, channeling anger energy into positive outlets, using art to heal, and activism.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_brian_cina.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
		</item>
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			<title><![CDATA[Betsy Pennebaker]]></title>
			<description><![CDATA[Betsy was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2003. After seeing a "Readers Digest" article that suggested that people with mental illness are stupid, Betsy decided to become an MHEI speaker in order to help break down false stereotypes and stigma. Betsy received a BA cum laude from Williams College, an MA from UVM, and a second Master’s, with highest honors, from the University of Oxford. She stayed at Oxford for her doctorate, which she completed in 2001. She currently works part-time as a website copywriter and also manages two investment properties. Betsy is a strong proponent of alternative medicine as a complement to conventional treatment for mental illness. She has recently begun studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, and she hopes to work with others with mental illness to "pay forward" the help she has received from caring and talented healers in many disciplines.]]></description>
			<link><![CDATA[http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/betsy_pennebaker.jpg]]></link>
			<media:content url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/betsy_pennebaker.jpg' medium='image' />
			<media:title><![CDATA[Betsy Pennebaker]]></media:title>
			<media:description><![CDATA[Betsy was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2003. After seeing a "Readers Digest" article that suggested that people with mental illness are stupid, Betsy decided to become an MHEI speaker in order to help break down false stereotypes and stigma. Betsy received a BA cum laude from Williams College, an MA from UVM, and a second Master’s, with highest honors, from the University of Oxford. She stayed at Oxford for her doctorate, which she completed in 2001. She currently works part-time as a website copywriter and also manages two investment properties. Betsy is a strong proponent of alternative medicine as a complement to conventional treatment for mental illness. She has recently begun studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, and she hopes to work with others with mental illness to "pay forward" the help she has received from caring and talented healers in many disciplines.]]></media:description>
			<media:thumbnail url='http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org/wp-content/gallery/in-recovery/thumbs/thumbs_betsy_pennebaker.jpg' width='100' height='75' />
			<media:keywords><![CDATA[]]></media:keywords>
			<media:copyright><![CDATA[Copyright (c) Friends of Recovery (http://www.friendsofrecoveryvt.org)]]></media:copyright>
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