Love that none could ever stop
MARRIED couple Janelle and Michael Jones have defied many odds, overcoming some of life’s toughest hurdles since they first met.
Janelle and Michael met in 1993 when they were receiving treatment at the Townsville Psychiatric Ward at the old North Ward hospital.
Janelle, 48, was a victim of sexual assault and diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and bipolar.
Michael, 52, was being treated for a mental illness, he wished not to have published, after years of suffering depression as a teenager.
At the ward, Michael locked eyes on Janelle sobbing on the veranda.
“There was this beautiful woman on her haunches … she stopped crying and smiled when we looked at each other,” Michael said.
“We were meant to be to- gether.” But it took some courage for Michael to make the first move, asking if Janelle wanted to go for a walk on The Strand.
The pair were accompanied by a chaperone.
“It was a picture perfect night, the sea was calm and there was a full moon. I said to the chaperone and Janelle, ‘ I think she needs to have her hand held’,” Michael said.
Janelle agreed and the chaperone allowed the couple some privacy, sparking a strong relationship.
But staff at the ward were not always supportive of the couple. The pair claimed their relationship was denounced and Michael, a delivery driver, was told he would never be able to work again.
Now, Janelle and Michael’s relationship is as strong as ever. The couple celebrated their 25th anniversary this month.
“We’re still very much on our honeymoon, it’s bloody terrific,” Michael said.
Janelle said their marriage helped her get through some of her darkest days and it had helped her look on the bright side of life.
She volunteers as a cook at not- for- profit mental wellbeing and suicide prevention support service selectability’s Clubhouse.
“I look at what I can do for others,” she said. “When I’m in there and I’m cooking, there’s a total feeling of this is me … I’m comfortable.”
“I get a real kick out of it knowing people will eat something nice or maybe something different.”
The couple said negative stigma towards mental health issues was a major problem in today’s society.
But Janelle said by being married to Michael there was no obstacle they have not been able to overcome.
“One of the things we’d say to people ( who doubted us), is look at us now after 25 years and flip them the bird,” Janelle said.