Giving the gift of hope during Mental Health Awareness Month

“Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.” — Anonymous

Spring is my favorite season. The flowers are blooming, the temperature is ideal, and it’s an excellent time to appreciate beautiful days like today. I have spring fever!

Along with tulips and celebrations this season, it’s essential to remember that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Not every day is full of blue skies and flower blossoms. Even days that are sunny and bright can feel dark and scary sometimes.

Numerous methods exist to boost mental health, such as talking to someone, establishing daily routines that inspire happiness, journaling, or walking along familiar paths that spark happy memories. I engage in these practices, but occasionally, shopping also provides an inexplicable joy. While the happiness created by material possessions is often fleeting, I was certain a recent purchase would make me smile for a long time.

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A few months ago, I visited my jeweler and brought some diamonds and gold that I wished to transform into a ring. They were given to me by a special someone, so the ring would have significant meaning for me — especially as I wanted it to represent my past, present, and future: where I come from, where I am now, and where I’m going.

I asked my jeweler to design something amazing. As someone with hypoparathyroidism, I am rare, so I wanted the ring to be unique — something no one else had.

I was thrilled a few weeks later when my jeweler called, saying it was ready. I set an appointment to pick up the ring during Passover weekend in April, when I would be in the area.

But life had other plans for me. I experienced hypercalcemia, or high levels of calcium in my blood, and had to cancel the appointment. It took a month, but a few days ago, I was finally able to visit my jeweler and see the exquisite work of art he’d created for me.

Hope is the greatest gift we can give

When I arrived, my jeweler asked how I felt. I dislike that question because I never feel well. Brushing it off, I replied, “I’m fine. It’s just my rare endocrine disorder acting up.” That usually stops people from inquiring further.

Then he said the words I despise: “My adult child has thyroid problems.” Most people don’t understand that the thyroid gland is different from the parathyroid glands, but I didn’t want to discuss it. I’d decided that morning that, for the sake of my mental health, I wouldn’t speak, write, or mention the word “hypopara” at all that day. But then, quietly, he added, “Actually, it’s their parathyroid, something you’ve never heard of.”

Well, for hours after those words, we sat and discussed hypoparathyroidism. His child’s story sounded like mine. They felt alone and isolated, struggling with mental health issues, while doctors gaslighted and dismissed them. I shared all the resources I knew, adding tools to their toolbox to help them navigate this journey.

Teary-eyed, my jeweler expressed relief that his child isn’t the only one with hypoparathyroidism and can still live a normal life. He thanked me for the gift of hope. I learned later that his child had looked at the websites I provided, read articles, and joined the Hypoparathyroidism Association. Finally, five years after their diagnosis, they felt validated that they weren’t crazy. This community can remind them that they’re not alone.

Unless you struggle with hypopara or care for someone who does, you can’t truly understand the mental burden patients experience. I stressed to my jeweler that it’s a good time to be living with hypopara because there’s more research than ever and new medications are on the horizon. His child can get better and feel alive. The first step is finding a doctor who understands, though we hypopara patients know those providers are few and far between.

While I was in awe of my new ring, I realized it meant nothing compared with the gift of hope I’d given this family. It is truly better to give than to receive.

When deciding on the symbolism of the ring, I knew what my past and present held, but I wasn’t sure about the future. But now that I’m admiring the piece of jewelry, I see hope for the child’s future. I’ll proudly wear this ring as a reminder of the gift of hope I’ve offered, the obstacles I’ve faced, and the beautiful spring days I’m experiencing now. This brave butterfly will continue to spread her wings of hope wherever she goes.

Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.