OTs Walk with NAMI is an ongoing health and wellness project that allows OTs to collaborate with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to encourage people with severe mental illness to participate in 12-week walking programs, culminating in the annual NAMI Walkathon (for all program materials, including protocol and motivational video, go to http://www.downstate.edu/CHRP/ot/nami.html). This year's NYC-Metro NAMI Walk was on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The walk began at the South Street Seaport and continued onto the Brooklyn Bridge. Thanks to everyone who made NAMI Walks NYC 2009 a smashing success. It was a beautiful day; we were together 3,000 walkers strong as we walked over the Brooklyn Bridge.
 
The OTs Walk With NAMI Team, whose project and intervention was this year’s MNYD Proclamation Ceremony subject, had a fundraising goal of $2,000.00 for this year’s walk. To date, we have raised $9,364.00. The team’s recruiting goal was to have at least 10 walkers registered as part of the team. To our delight and surprise, we had 50 walkers this year as part of the OTs Walk With NAMI team. Thank you so much to everyone who helped to recruit more people to join the NAMI Walk and support NAMI in its important mission. We could not have done it without you.
 
This year, the third year that NAMI NYC-Metro has had a walkathon, 3,000 walkers joined together to walk for self-advocacy, recovery, and to end the stigma of mental illness—that number is 1,000 more walkers than last year. Last year's Walk had almost 2000 participants and was the single-most successful NAMI affiliate fundraiser in the country. NAMI NYC-Metro also had a goal of raising $325,000, and not only made their goal but surpassed it, a real revelation in present challenging economic conditions. Currently, they have raised almost $350,000.
 
On that note, we present an article that was written by a client of NYSOTA member Jennifer Dulek, Senior OT clinician at St. Luke’s, who has formed and supported through her program planning a client-centered walking group for each year of the NAMI NYC Walk’s existence. The article was written by one of her clients who participated in the 2008 Walk as a NAMI volunteer. This article was the first client-written article published in the St. Luke’s departmental newsletter, and was also used by NAMI NYC-Metro in their Walk campaign. It also sums up why anyone would want to be involved in the Walk, and particularly why OTs should consider getting their clients involved: for health, wellness, and self-advocacy. Jeni worked with this client a great deal before the Walk to address the anxiety he felt related to getting to the Walk on time, and by himself. You will see the results of their work together as reflected in his article:
 

I arrived at South Street Seaport at 6:30 AM, having taken the M15 bus from 116th and 2nd Ave. When I arrived, people were already there, and NAMI Staff put me to work. Everyone I encountered was smiling, which caused me to respond with a smile. The day was a bright, clear, sunny day that makes one glad to be alive and a part of New York City at its best. D.J.s set up their equipment and the crowd grew; delegations from different hospitals and organizations arrived, all to raise awareness of mental illness. Soon Jeni arrived with her perpetual smile and good vibes. I saw others such as my psychologist and my peers who were walking too. It felt good to be helping a worthy cause. It reminded me that people can change the world for the better. It was announced that this was the largest NAMI Walk ever and it was a wonderful feeling to be a part of something I search for: community. And the positive feeling lingered long after the walk was over, and in my heart I felt hope.

 
This year’s Walk too was an incredible day full of hope and recovery, and we couldn't have asked for a better, more inspiring turnout. The 2010 NAMIWalks NYC will be on Saturday, May 8, 2010--Mark those calendars now! The Larger the Crowd--The Louder the Voice. Submitted by MNYD NYSOTA Board member Eileen LaMourie, MS, OTR/L, OTs Walk With NAMI NAMIWALK Team Captain
 
MNYD Newsletter contribution submitted by MNYD Board Member Brandi Buchanan, OTD, OTR/L.