What would you do if you found out you were mad? Oh that’s sounds a bit dramatic perhaps, but think about it a moment… What would you do as a 23-year old, who had just had a baby boy nine months earlier, who had a fine husband, and you land in the loony bin? One moment you have a budding career, an apartment, okay your husband is leaving you, a wonderful sweet son. The next minute you are in a locked psyche ward in a long halter dress, sandals and your underwear?
Where did it all go wrong you might wonder? Then again where is your family is what’s foremost on your mind. And your Lord. Has he forsaken you too? But really, you don’t have room for this type of reflection. Your thoughts are racing and you are in the grips of your first manic episode IN A BIG WAY!
That was me many years ago. For I have fought bi-polar disorder ever since. I will be 59 in a month. 36 years. It’s a long time to live with this. It’s a long time to struggle. It’s a long time to try to live above the madness and not let it drag you down into the depths of despair and finish you.
I realized I wasn’t talking about it much. All that is going to change. This is a hard fight. It’s not for the faint of heart. It shouldn’t be fought alone and I’m going to be loud about it from now on. I’m going to speak my mind. Share my fears. Talk about what goes on in the mind of someone who has a mental illness. I’m going to shout it from the roof tops so others feel they can too. So they feel they can be honest and not battle their madness alone.
I’m going to write about it. I’m planning to speak about this. To schools and churches and business and whoever will listen. This is my new business. This is my new mission. This is what I plan to do with the life I have been given.
I have been very fortunate. I am still here. Many people with bi-polar or other severe mental illnesses kill themselves before they reach my age. Let’s be frank. That’s why none of us can get life insurance if there is a medical exam.
I have a loud voice. I’m on social media. I can tweet this out. I can Facebook links. Start a Facebook page. Blog, share, speak give, and tell the truth to all who will listen. There is a lot of love and hope and laughter for people who have mental illness. They need help and care and people. They need you. I need you. Come with me on this journey, will you?
Kudos! Be loud, be proud, be honest; look forward to learning from you.
Thank you! I will be all of those things and appreciate your encouragement and support! It means so much! Libby
Reblogged this on Joseph A. Gier and commented:
A post from a very dear friend of mine
There is no bigger compliment to a writer than to reblog their post, Joe! You are my dear friend too and I thank you for being there for me. You are someone to be relied up and treasured and I do!
I’m coming with you =)
Thank you Sid! That is the most wonderful of all things to say! Libby
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Dear Libby –
I am so proud of you! You are absolutely right – this is what you are called to. You are a resilient, brave, joyful, and amazing human being. Your life is a testament to your trust in God’s will for you each and every step of the way. Thank you for sharing your journey and helping your family, friends, and the rest of the world understand how you exist and thrive each and every day. We are blessed by you and by your mission.
Dearest Maria,
I loved you as a sister, forget the “in-law” the moment I met you. Scott is so blessed to have found you! <3 I am very touched by what you have said here, affirmed and loved. Thank you for your understanding of what I am doing and of my illness. Without God I could not do any of this, or even get out of bed in the morning. So many times he gives me the strength that I need. And family is so important as your comment attests. Love you dear one and thanks again for the wonderful support!