My name is Herb and I am a very, very long time caregiver, support person, health care advocate and depression lay-expert to my spouse, Joyce, as well as a former DBSA facilitator, president, board member of a local chapter and a state appointment as a Guardian Advocate.   Many of you may have followed my posts throughout the years on a number of message forums.  I opened this site to educate and advocate for wellness as well as the control and stabilization of MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and because my sharing and participating had been squelched by several individuals.  One might read Gripes for a further explanation.   I want this opportunity, most importantly, for this medium to be a means to educate one's self and to learn from others.  In turn I hope to share my experiences, research and knowledge as they relate to MDD while also sharing our experiences utilizing the VNS Therapy System(TM).

I welcome debate and challenging exchanges.  I encourage different viewpoints from personal experiences but I also challenge the “they say” or “I heard” form of discussions so prevalent in the postings I read, so be prepared.  I have yet to find out who “they” really are.  I’ve been successful in my advocacy for Joyce and others because I don’t have an ego but I am definitely assertive and goal oriented.  I’m not seeking job advancement nor career opportunities or remuneration or wealth from this forum or do I need any ego boast and I don’t have to kiss hind-side but I do continue to research, collaborate and be appreciative of those caring and supportive individuals and professionals willing to share with me the important information I need to maintain Joyce’s wellness and sustain our cause.

I further established this forum as a means to advocate for education, encourage hope and persistence; to self-advocate, the sharing of personal experiences and knowledge in a caring and thoughtful, healthy and civil manner as it pertains to the VNS Therapy.  I am not experienced at running or operating a website, message forum etc but I shall quickly learn and I ask you to please have patience and more importantly share with me and the other participants any suggestions and/or positive constructive criticism to improve the site for all to benefit.  I am first and foremost always seeking to maintain Joyce’s wellness long-term and in doing so I hope to learn even more by reading what other caring and supportive participants and/or loved one's can add to my knowledge and in turn give back to others.

My establishing this website is absolutely not intended to give any advice, medical direction and/or endorse or promote any treatments, therapies or products.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful folks who have collaborated with me from the beginning of this adventure and continue to do so to this very day.  Your thoughts, sharing of experiences, information and inspiration are truly invaluable to Joyce and me.  I extend a very special thank you to Riva (deceased) for initially informing us and comforting Joyce in making what has been the right decision for her.  I also extend a special thank you to Charlie and Mary and the other gals that went to bat for all those who shall follow when they testified at the FDA Device Panel of Experts meeting in Washington, D.C. a number of years ago.  Naturally and without question we extend a special thank you to all the very special doctors, Drs. Goodnick, George, Nahas, Sackeim, Rudolph, Pelta and their staff who have devoted their time, energy and knowledge toward maintaining Joyce’s wellness.  Last but not least a heartfelt and special thank you to that very, very special beautiful and caring Irish lass who has befriended me in spite of my sometimes overly aggressive nature to advocate and share by nurturing me with her intelligence and superior reasoning ability.  Her sharing of well reasoned thoughts and her theories regarding VNS and “treatment values” most certainly were instrumental in achieving Joyce’s wellness rapidly.  Thank you Colleen, we shall forever be grateful to you and the others. 

Please participate in the site and I hope my efforts are worthwhile but more importantly I wish you and/or your loved one’s freedom from “the beast” Major Depressive Disorder and/or Epilepsy.

Warmly,
Herb