My Story

My story—
I was diagnosed with bi-polar when I was 14. Back when they didn’t know as much as they do now. I had been over medicated for years. It always seemed that the solution for a person with mental illness was give them a pill for everything. You can’t sleep here’s a pill. You are manic here’s a pill. Time after time. 

I was told that I would be living in a State Hospital for the rest of my life. Let that sink in. Can you imagine hearing that as a mother? I was hospitalized many times in my life. You’ll have to wait for the book to hear those stories. Year after year all the judgement, and poor care, and being treated less than a human. What I did have in my corner was a mom who wasn’t going to stop till I got the care I needed and had a quality of life. No one asked to have a mental illness but yet we fight it everyday. People like to judge things they don’t know much about. I had to grow over the years and take a hard look at things. I found myself dealing with the good, bad, and the ugly. I was depressed, had many hospital stays, and still couldn’t always control my illness. The stigma that comes along with mental health is just awful. Over the years I have worked hard to live a successful, happy life.
Fast Forward to 18 years ago. My son was born. He was diagnosed at 6. ADHD, ODD, Mood Disorder, and Autism. What that truly means is he was the kid that every teacher wanted to run from. He would throw fits for hours at a time, I never knew what would set this kid off. Omg! Talking about needing to get a grip on parenting real quick. Yep! Got a crash course on how you have to put away the dreams about the child you wanted and raise the child you have. I found groups, got him involved in as much stuff, and found parenting groups for me. This kid is very smart and talented outside the box. I want to share with you a very interesting fact. He has never had a special IEP, 504, or any extra help in school. He graduates High School this year, with a year of College done. I was also told by his doctor many years ago that she didn’t think he would be where he was. Today he is branching out trying to find himself. I have raised a leader and someone who will make his way just fine. No enabling or pity party on this end.
I tell you this part of the story to show that we are more than a diagnoses and with the proper care. You can live a healthy life.
At the age of 46. I have been married for 25 years and raise two children. I recently moved to Florida where I serve on a non-profit board to help Homeless Families, Currently working on a Committee to bring a Christian Concert to our town, I volunteer at our Christian radio station. Work on the Food serving team at church. I share this to say. Your disabilities don’t have to define you.
I moved here from Alabama. While living in Alabama I challenged myself so much. I had never put together a banquet. So I did. I had never put together a fundraiser from start to finish. So I did. I served on City Boards to fight for Disability. I have gone to the State Capital to fight for Autism. Became a part of the Rotary for networking. Was incharge of 70 vendors for one of the biggest festivals in Alabama. Created parenting groups to help other parents with kids with special needs. I was afraid to get on stage. So I got on stage in front of the Mayor, Superintendent, and Principal. Talked about the Stigma for Mental Illness. I’m sharing this to tell you I’m not afraid to dive in, work hard, and believe in greatness. I did all this for free for my community.
My goal is to share bits and pieces of my story when I can. To empower and help those who need it to believe in themselves.
In my current day:
Some days I can barely move. I force myself to move anyway and enjoy life. I have rods and plates in my back and most days I hurt real bad. I push thru.
I’m keeping one foot in front of the other, becoming a better version of myself. I believe in Greatness and I know success leaves clues.
I share my story to tell people you can have a successful life with a mental illness. We aren’t all dysfunctional. I want to break down the stigma one person at a time.
I live my life with great purpose. I show kindness to so many and I encourage others. Truly celebrating milestones and being 100% happy for others. I do my best to always be real and honest. What’s hard for me is all the judgement. People are my strength and weakness all in one. I work on this every day to over come. Living with purpose and being Thankful for the breath I breathe, and everything in between. Each day I get up, show up, and run my own race.