March 2003

Dear Friends:

Several years ago my family experienced the painful shock and gut-wrenching devastation that surround severe mental illness. Our personal account involves someone we know and love, who very suddenly becomes a complete stranger. Our story is about someone full of life and desire, whose focus and direction suddenly become unclear.

You see at a time in his life when he should be embracing the passage from adolescence to manhood, my younger brother courageously fights the darkness and loneliness associated with mental illness. So while his childhood buddies celebrate bright futures filled with exciting careers, marriage and family; my brother struggles daily to find peace and tackle the most mundane tasks.

Sadly, my family’s story involves a lot of anger, guilt and resentment, as well. As you can imagine, the affects of mental illness reap havoc on the lives of siblings, parents, children and spouses alike.

On a more positive note, our journey thankfully involves a great deal of understanding and acceptance, too. After years of denial, we found the courage to seek out the resources and support we needed to move forward. In short, we found the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI.)

NAMI has had a profound impact on my family and me. The support groups, family-to-family education program and other resources have renewed our faith and restored our hope. Quite simply, NAMI has been a lifeline for us. I am happy to say that each of us--in our own way, and at our own pace--is becoming an advocate for my brother.

I am writing to you because I am proud to be serving as Family Team Chairperson for the inaugural NAMIWALKS For The Mind of America. NAMIWALKS is a pilot fundraiser that will take place in 14 communities around the country in May 2003.

I am involved with NAMIWALKS For The Mind of America for several reasons. I think this is a wonderful way to increase public awareness about mental illness and raise the funds needed to support NAMI’s mission—education, support and advocacy for those affected by severe mental illness.

But on a more personal level, this is a chance for my family and me to honor my brother. It’s an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate his courage and strength. I am hopeful that our union and show of support will give him just a little more encouragement for his journey ahead.

On Sunday, May 4, 2003 Jeff, Jordyn and I will be hosting a pre-walk ceremony and leading hundreds of walkers along the 2.4-mile path. We are expecting my brother, as well as family members and friends from Florida, Virginia and Connecticut to join us in Ellicott City, MD for the walk. To symbolize our unity, Jeff and I will be outfitting our entire walk team with special T-shirts that we are designing in my brother’s favorite color—green!

My personal goal is to raise $1000 for NAMI. I’d love to see the other members of my team raise a combined total of $4000. My entire family is committed to making the walk a success. But I need your help. Please consider:

1) Joining our team and walking in honor of my brother on May 4th
2) Forming a team of your own, if you’d like to walk on behalf of someone you know
Or
3) Sponsoring me by making a tax-deductible donation. (If you do, please send checks only, made payable to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Maryland or NAMI MD. Please send it to me in the enclosed envelope, by April 28th. I will turn it in on the day of the walk.)

If you would like more information about NAMI or NAMIWALKS, please call me at (410) XXX.XXXX or visit www.nami.org. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Tareaz Pegues
NAMIWALKS Family Team Chair