"On My Way Home" Ingrid Ortiz

"On My Way Home" A Photojournalism Work

Color Photograph (Framed Print) - 

Available in 2 sizes:

14" x 11"

20" x 16"

On a calm April Wednesday afternoon, I return home from a unit at NYU once again. Which unit at NYU may you ask; a dorm in college, a storage unit, a one bedroom apartment...?

I am coming back from the inpatient psych unit at NYU Langone. I am on a black SUV Uber car. I am enjoying the ride on the FDR and the view of the East River. You would think I have no worries in the world and the cab driver assumes that I am feeling well after my medical stay.

My mind is wondering what will the neighbors think when I get home after two weeks, what will I say to my coworkers, how will my cat receive me after being gone for two weeks again.

I have had two  psychiatric hospitalizations in the last six months and people are beginning to ask, murmur and whisper their opinions politely masked as concerns. They are asking if I am taking my meds, if I am keeping my appointments and they are saying that two psychiatric hospitalizations in such a short time don't look good.

My supervisor wants to know how much longer till I return to work. My siblings think I am not making an effort in getting better. The friend who takes care of my cat tells me that the next trip to the "Cuckoo's nest" she won’t take care of the cat. She says that I have to "keep it together" because I am physically healthy, I have a job and an apartment, and I should be grateful.

On my way home I am thinking that the worst thing about struggling with my mental health is trying to fit in to the normal ways of things. The biggest difficulty is how to tolerate and survive society's, family and friends stereotypes, judgements, stigma and discrimination towards mental illness. In the meantime I continue to enjoy the view and take pictures, being mindful of present moment. I’m embracing this moment of peace and beauty as I cross the bridge on my way home.