Welcome, ladies and gents, to Part 15 of my 20 part series “Better Know a Speaker!” Today’s speaker: Robin Ferguson, the fighting mother of two!

Robin was kind enough to write her entire bio in first person, and I think it loses something in the conversion to a dry, objective third person. I will, therefore, quote it in its entirety.

Robin Ferguson has no idea what to say about herself. Plus she’s not that great at writing in the third person about herself, so here are the important facts:

Personal info: I am a stay-at-home mom who is about to give up the stay-at-home part to work in Special Education. I start the week before Skepchicamp. I live in Central Illinois with my husband, Phil and our children.

Speaking of children, have you met mine? If you know me, then I apologize for always talking about them. BUT I have two awesome teenagers, both who, despite my early misguided attempts at religion are both fantastic critical thinkers. They got it from their father, and in this case that is not a left-handed compliment.

I hold a degree in History from Illinois Wesleyan University. I am a voracious reader, a Green Day fanatic, and love to cook.

Skeptic info: The road to a more critical way of thinking has pretty much come full circle, I was religious, then I wasn’t, then I was , and now, well that’s something we can chat about at Skepchicamp.

I have attended two TAMs and look forward to attending TAM8 this summer. I have replaced my daily reading about the Trinity with what I lovingly refer to as Three Skeptics and the Ladies: Bad Astronomy, Pharyngula, Friendly Atheist and Skepchick, to whom I gratefully thank for reintroducing me to critical thinking. My husband was patiently waiting and leading by example, hmmm sounds vaguely familiar. He thanks you as well.

The reason I am leaving my comfort zone and presenting at Skepchicamp:

I am a card carrying member of the mental health community participating in both the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). My presentation entitled “Alternative Meds, Media and Stigma: The Role of Skepticism in Mental Health” will highlight how critical thinking is needed by an entire community to help break down the stereotypes that keep patients from seeking science-based treatments first.

Thanks, Robin!

Check back soon for the last few speakers!

–Speaker Conjurer Don

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