This book is dedicated to the courageous and creative San Fernando Valley family members who first stood up to the stigma of mental illness in 1975 to establish what was to become the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Our Stories, Things We Know Now We Wish We Knew Then, was written by and is dedicated to the many families and individuals who have shared hard-won wisdom and deeply personal experiences of living with mental illness. This Wisdom Legacy book was made possible by NAMI SFV 2011 leaders and members who were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. Studies show that an informed and engaged support system is the most important weapon in the fight for recovery from mental illness. For many of us, finding NAMI was the beginning of hope and recovery. If you or your loved one suffers from a major mental illness, NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, can help. www.nami.org Foreword by Ron Artest, Metta World Peace