Parent group meets to support each other

Staff Reports

The Parents Helping Each Other group meets 12:15-1:15 p.m. Mondays at Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville. The group offers support for parents and caregivers of children with mental, emotional and physical disabilities, including bipolar disorder, chemical dependencies, depression, autism and long-term illness.

Parents Helping Each Other was created by Jim and Connie Jameson to give parents an opportunity to support each other, to gain insight and effective solutions to problems, to encourage each other to be involved at local and national levels to obtain better care from professionals and to receive guidance from professionals. To share professional knowledge with Parents Helping Each Other, call 781-0935.

The Jameson family has written and illustrated a book of poems, "River of Broken Glass, a collection of poems about struggle with disabilities."

A portion of the money from the book sales benefits Carson Valley United Methodist Church and local mental health facilities. The book is available for $6.49 at the church, 782-4600, or from the Jamesons, 781-0935.

River of Broken Glass

by Cassie Jameson

I walk across a river of broken glass, the river that has become my new life.

I remember the precious days,

where not a single crack would be in my way.

But as I walk now I feel every piece of shattered glass stab at my weary feet,

making sure I'm aware of its harsh, undying presence.

I try to put all of the broken pieces back together,

but they just split apart again

just when I've finally finished,

and I just have to move on and endure all the torture and pain,

on my river of broken glass.