Support Chris Montoya's Recovery
Donation protected
(Be sure you keep hitting "read more" until you get to the fabulous photo of Chris at the end!)
Chris Montoya has been my friend, supporter, dance partner, teacher, and inspiration for years. Like many others, I had no idea of the struggles he was going through, and how close we were to losing him. I am beyond words grateful that, as he said when sharing his story with KUOW's Marcie Sillman, he chose to live (https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-dancer-christopher-montoya-says-i-choose-to-live)
It takes true generosity of spirit to open up and share your private struggles in the hope of helping others, and I hope that we can show Chris the same generosity.
In Chris's words:
"My struggle with mental illness has been an ongoing battle. When I was 16 years old I was diagnosed Bipolar while seeking treatment for anorexia. I was put on medication and continued with treatment. A18 years of age I received a full dance scholarship to the University of Arizona. I was elated, I stopped medication and somehow thrived while dealing with bouts of mania and major depression. I dropped out of school to become a professional dancer. From then on I found solace in performing all over the United States and the world. I was able to deal with my disorder through the realm of dance and performing. When retirement came in 2012 I found myself back where I started when I was 16 — lost and confused. I decided to go back to school. I finished my B.F.A with Cornish College of the Arts and then received my M.F.A from the University of Washington. It was during my time in graduate school that I fell into major depression and could not seem to pull myself out of the dark thoughts that were in my mind. No longer having the rigorous performing schedule that kept my mental illness in check, I was, and still am, suffering silently. Up until the release of my interview with Marcie Sillman, I had never been open and honest with myself or the people in my life. I finally have my medication under control, and I am working to find the middle of the road state of being. Since the interview aired, my biggest fears subsided as I immediately was met with outpours of encouragement and support from the community. It is now that I realize how important reaching out was. My struggle, though, has caused me to lose important things in my life. I am taking time to work on my mental health, but because of this, I am also at high risk of losing my health insurance, something I desperately need in order to stay on track with my recovery. Reaching out is hard, but I have come to realize, for the first time, that I am not in this alone."
$5000 represents just one medical bill that Chris received recently. Your contribution will help Chris in his recovery journey, both by making it possible to pay for care, and by letting him know how many people are with him on this journey.
If you are in crisis, there is help out there. Please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and, in Washington State, the Washington Recovery Helpline at 1.866.789.1511
Chris Montoya has been my friend, supporter, dance partner, teacher, and inspiration for years. Like many others, I had no idea of the struggles he was going through, and how close we were to losing him. I am beyond words grateful that, as he said when sharing his story with KUOW's Marcie Sillman, he chose to live (https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-dancer-christopher-montoya-says-i-choose-to-live)
It takes true generosity of spirit to open up and share your private struggles in the hope of helping others, and I hope that we can show Chris the same generosity.
In Chris's words:
"My struggle with mental illness has been an ongoing battle. When I was 16 years old I was diagnosed Bipolar while seeking treatment for anorexia. I was put on medication and continued with treatment. A18 years of age I received a full dance scholarship to the University of Arizona. I was elated, I stopped medication and somehow thrived while dealing with bouts of mania and major depression. I dropped out of school to become a professional dancer. From then on I found solace in performing all over the United States and the world. I was able to deal with my disorder through the realm of dance and performing. When retirement came in 2012 I found myself back where I started when I was 16 — lost and confused. I decided to go back to school. I finished my B.F.A with Cornish College of the Arts and then received my M.F.A from the University of Washington. It was during my time in graduate school that I fell into major depression and could not seem to pull myself out of the dark thoughts that were in my mind. No longer having the rigorous performing schedule that kept my mental illness in check, I was, and still am, suffering silently. Up until the release of my interview with Marcie Sillman, I had never been open and honest with myself or the people in my life. I finally have my medication under control, and I am working to find the middle of the road state of being. Since the interview aired, my biggest fears subsided as I immediately was met with outpours of encouragement and support from the community. It is now that I realize how important reaching out was. My struggle, though, has caused me to lose important things in my life. I am taking time to work on my mental health, but because of this, I am also at high risk of losing my health insurance, something I desperately need in order to stay on track with my recovery. Reaching out is hard, but I have come to realize, for the first time, that I am not in this alone."
$5000 represents just one medical bill that Chris received recently. Your contribution will help Chris in his recovery journey, both by making it possible to pay for care, and by letting him know how many people are with him on this journey.
If you are in crisis, there is help out there. Please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and, in Washington State, the Washington Recovery Helpline at 1.866.789.1511
Organizer and beneficiary
Karena Birk
Organizer
Seattle, WA
Chris Grant-Montoya
Beneficiary