NAMI and Running were the two things that pulled me out of the darkest time in my life when I first moved to the US and supported a family member's struggle with mental illness. NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. It’s the largest grassroots organisation for mental health awareness, education, and advocacy. Since then, I have gone back to graduate school and hit "restart" for my life. After a 180-degree turn from business to social work, I’m now a trauma therapist in private practice and a proud volunteer facilitator for NAMI Washtenaw Family-To-Family Class (F2F). I enjoy teaching F2F and hearing family members realize that they are not alone in their journey. I'm running for NAMI so that many more families will find the incredible, life-changing resources NAMI offers, and NAMI Washtenaw has the funding to provide these resources to individuals and families who need them.
Please visit NAMI Washtenaw's website (https://namiwc.org) to learn about the dozens of support groups, educational programs, awareness and advocacy initiatives NAMI WC is doing for our community. Share these with anyone who might be suffering alone. If you are in a position to support NAMI WC financially, I would greatly appreciate your donation!
This will be my 7th time running Dexter-Ann Arbor Run. I met my husband, Dylan, through running, and we ran Dexter-Ann Arbor together in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Our daughter, Lingmei, is already a veteran of the kids' run. This will be her 4th year running it. Before we know it, she'll be ready for the 5K! I can't wait for the race day! Come cheer for us in person or virtually!!
