Author: Abby Nardo

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Memory submitted by Mary Ellen & Alan Johnson

When did you meet Mickey?
2010

Where did you meet him?
Grandview Lake

Memory of Mickey
Mickey was our Grandview Lake Corporation chair when we met him during our Georgia Adopt-A-Lake monthly monitoring project. I didn’t know he was a physician for a long time as he didn’t fit the mold. I got to know his wit and commitment to our BBQ socials as he and Al Clayton matched wit, stories, and tall tales – Alan was privileged to spend hours listening to the “old guys” watching the fires, drinking coffee, and just being with each other. I learned how highly Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center valued his service there – his patients loved him – and it was my job to figure out his writing on the Patient Assistance Program scripts and follow up with his patients to make sure I was interpreting the scripts/directions in my volunteer capacity in PDAP.

Sharon and I began a twice a week exercise program at the YMCA in Canton, and I learned that Mickey and Sharon were liberal democrats, just like us, in a sea of conservatives! Even many of their Morningside friends were democrats in Pickens County!

Alan helped Mickey set up a scientific weather station, as the researcher in Mickey enjoyed checking the measurements.

My last Mickey story was at the end of January 2017 when I called Sharon to confirm I was picking her up that Friday. She was obviously busy getting ready, but Mickey answered the phone not with a “Hello,” but “Build the Wall, Build the Wall, Build the Wall!” I laughed for a week with that answer, as Trump had just been inaugurated, and the idea was so incredible.

I know there were other stories, but until recently, Mickey was a larger than life character so full of life and perspective that I couldn’t imagine such a vibrant personality leaving us so soon! All I can say is that his work must have been done, and he was allowed to leave his bad back on earth, and perhaps mentor another personality to continue his work from another realm.

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Memory submitted by Ove

When did you meet Mickey?
2015

Where did you meet him?
Through his blog and association with David Healy

Memory of Mickey
I went to his blog from time to time. He wrote very well and many times with much appreciated humor. I hope his family knows, or will know, how much “1BOM” meant to us who experienced the darker side of our medications. I eat Paxil, the drug Mickey Nardo was re-researching as a part of the “study 329” RIAT-team. Condolences from Ove, Sweden.

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Memory submitted by Nicole Khoury

When did you meet Mickey?
1989

Where did you meet him?
Atlanta, through Abby

Memory of Mickey
Let me preface this by saying I wish I had been able to spend more time with Dr. Nardo. I only met him on a few occasions spanning many years, and always when visiting with my dear friend Abby.

My first impression upon entering the Nardo’s wonderful Morningsde home was that of warmth, intelligence, and perhaps a bit of organized chaos. Dr. Nardo (I never really referred to him as ‘Mickey’) was probably sitting amongst stacks of books and papers, effortlessly smart and cool. He may have made me a bit nervous initially, as I can be amongst highly accomplished and brilliant people. I remember thinking that the old adage that messy people are usually very intelligent DEFINITELY applied in this case. (Abby, I think your bedroom was also fair game!). Despite the initial formalities, Abby and I either would hang out in her room chatting (plotting?) about the typical young life crises (boys, college, career choices, etc.) or depart for another venue to make the most of Abby’s brief visits to Atlanta. I regret I didn’t have more opportunities to linger at the house with Abby and her folks. I like to imagine the four of around a table, like the “salons” of old, discoursing about science, the arts, politics, and who knows what else. I’m sure Dr. Nardo would have routinely stumped me with his profound insights and inquiries but then again, I’ve always liked being in the company of people who are smarter and wittier than I am.

I thank Dr. Nardo and Sharon deeply for meshing their best qualities into Abby, a friend for life. We both grew up valuing family, education, self-reliance, questing for knowledge scientific or otherwise, and holding our love of music closest to our hearts. Dr. Nardo’s accomplishments as a scientist, medical provider, and general observer of life are indeed preserved on paper, but his finest contributions live on forever in his family and friends.

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Memory submitted by Katy Henderson

When did you meet Mickey?
2008

Where did you meet him?
At My House

Memory of Mickey
Abby brought Mickey and Sharon to a gathering at my house. I am not sure if it was a cookout, or a Flag Day party, or if we had just invited them to come and spend an afternoon out on our deck talking and eating food. I knew Mickey would be drinking copious amounts of coffee and wanted to be prepared. I asked Abby how he took his coffee and she said he liked the pink sweetener. We had none in the house, so I sent JD on a special trip to the store to get some Sweet N Low.

I don’t remember anything else specific about that first meeting, but my best memories of meeting Mickey and spending time with him are always outside, on someone’s deck or just in the backyard, gathered with lots of people. Mickey would just be smiling, talking, listening, raconteur-ing, and generally making a big, genial circle around himself, no matter the occasion.

My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him, especially Abby and Sharon. He was a truly remarkable person, and anyone whose life he touched was the better for it.

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Memory submitted by Jennie Clayton

When did you meet Mickey?
1976

Where did you meet him?
Through my parents. Egg Roast!

Memory of Mickey
Starting at the beginning. Mid 70’s. Mickey and Sharon. I remember Abby from Inman Middle School where I worked with Mrs. Suchanek and the children in the band. Spunky little blonde girl. So talented. Dad talked about Mickey being a shrink. That’s about all I knew.

The egg roasts with Grandy, Mickey, and the rest of the folks, were a huge highlight of the year for our family. I went to be with all the other kids, but my father went to be with Andy and Mickey. Our conversations usually revolved around where Andy would hide the egg this year. Which team we’d be on, etc… Dad loved to go several days before to get everything ready. The 3 old men had their great time together around that firepit. Wonderful company. Food. Baptisms. Music. Camping. Memories.

I remember Sharon being in charge of keeping up with how many eggs were remaining, counting the donations for the prizes and reminding us when a clue would be coming up. All of my boys were baptized down in Shiloh with these people who have become family. We all signed a document acknowledging our presence at this important event.

Years later, I would be baptized at Lake Grandview by Andy. This same core group of people attended. Signed as witnesses. Mickey gave me a book that was an important one for him. He signed it “Got me through 10 years – Love,
Mickey”

He left a couple of papers in the book for me.

One read: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. – Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

While Dad and Mickey had been friends for decades, I’d say the last few years of their friendship were the most treasured for me. Dad’s health declined significantly. Mickey was there for him the entire way. Both Mickey and Sharon came to stay in Nashville while testing was going on at Vanderbilt. Dad had difficulty walking and this hindered their mid-morning lunch time. Mickey would drive to the back of the house so Dad could make it to his Jeep for the ride. This went on until Dad couldn’t make it to the Jeep at all. Mickey visited daily. A true example of friendship. He spent the afternoon with Dad on the day before Dad died. They were able to be with me the morning Dad passed away. As I’m writing this, it doesn’t feel like justice is being done to this person and the relationship he had with my father. I bet they’ll be fine with it, though.

I’ve told my boys one of the most important things in life is to create a ripple effect. When you can help someone you need to help them, and that goodness will go on and on. I’m so fortunate to have been a part of Mickey and Sharon’s ripple in this world.

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Memory submitted by Ferrell Varner

When did you meet Mickey?
1963

Where did you meet him?
Med School

Memory of Mickey
Mickey and I were in the same medical school class. When I met him it was obvious at first encounter that he was someone that I wanted to know well. He was funny, very bright, energetic and original. He was curious about everything and looked at the world differently. We studied together a lot, and he “got” the concepts quickly and then played with them while I struggled to memorize them. His humor came through in all of this. He was “cool” is the best sense of the word.

After medical school we intermittently wrote letters then emails. He went on to Infectious Disease then Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. I went into Emergency Medicine and then decided to go to art school in San Francisco. He wrote me and said that we both seemed to be looking for the same thing, our own form of enlightenment. I was flattered. While in medical school I had organized an evening of painting with wine. He never painted that I know of, but his contribution was the most original and complete of the group.

We lost touch for several years, and he started his blog. I came on late, but closely followed his efforts to expose the problems around big pharma, bad research, greed and intellectual dishonesty. He has been making his part of the world better for years, and doing it clearly without the excessive rhetoric that confuses most discussions.

We will miss his insight, energy, compassion and humor

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Memory submitted by Carol Gaines

When did you meet Mickey?

Where did you meet him?
1boringoldman

Memory of Mickey
He was my inspiration and my hero. I already miss him so very much. What a loss. We needed Mickey to write one more chapter.
My deepest sympathy.

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Memory submitted by truthman30

When did you meet Mickey?
2011

Where did you meet him?
Blog

Memory of Mickey
I never met Mickey, however I have been a big fan of his writing for years. His writing is well known and well respected in the mental health/anti-psychiatry blogosphere. Mickey has helped raise awareness of the misdeeds of psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry and his writing will be studied for years to come. RIP Mickey, and condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

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Memory submitted by Matthew Jansky, MA, LMFT

Where did you meet him?
1boringoldman

Memory of Mickey
During grad school and clinical training, I learned the joy and wonder of developing a network of younger friends and colleagues and benefiting from their restless energy and enthusiasm. However, it was through Dr. Nardo and his blog that I learned the satisfaction of listening to, and corresponding occasionally, with a diverse group of (mostly) older and far more experienced professionals.

I have benefited greatly from the wisdom of so many who visited 1BOM, and I’m grateful to all of them – Bernard Carroll, Dr. O’Brien, Dr. Hassman, Sandra Steingard, Joseph Arpaia, Steve Lucas, George Dawson, Berit, Gagan, and so many others. I was always treated with respect here, even during debates which sometimes became quite strident. If I posted intemperately– and I certainly have at times– I was sometimes criticized sharply, but never made to feel unwelcome.

1BOM wasn’t, and isn’t, an echo chamber where you can expect to hear your favorite ideas parroted endlessly. For me, it was more like some wild, endless seminar with an interactive syllabus and over a dozen different professors from all over the world.

It’s very rare to find communities like that online these days, and that’s because there’s no one like Dr. Nardo to lead them. I am very, very grateful. And I am very, very sad. My heartfelt condolences to Abby and the rest of Mickey’s family and friends; my grateful thanks for the pictures and memories.

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Memory submitted by Sherry Walls King

When did you meet Mickey?
1978

Where did you meet him?
Morningside neighbors

Memory of Mickey
I love Mickey and Sharon and missed them sorely when they moved to Jasper. A favorite memory happened near Christmas in about 1980. I was in law school, just had finished exams. We wanted to go out with M & S to celebrate but we were leaving for my Grannie’s in Mississippi the following morning and had all our preparation to do, including hiding all of it from our almost 7 year old. Remember, for months I had no social life! Mickey said, let’s go to eat and then we will come back to your house and help you wrap all the presents. I couldn’t believe it! There were tons to wrap. He gave us the opportunity to have fun First and continue the fun talking with them as the gifts were wrapped. Those sweet angels!! Thanks always Mickey and Sharon for just being you.