Yes I have this disease. Yes it is a part of my life and messes with it periodically. But it does not define who I am. I am so much more than this illness that I have had the misfortune to have in my genes. I have two Master’s degrees, one I got in 1985 in Molecular Biology and one I got in 2008 in Education/ School Counseling, both, ironically in the throes of this illness. I did not let this disease stop me from getting these degrees. I have been married for 26 years. Yes we have had our ups and downs, major ups and downs, but we are still together. I have a brilliant son who is in Law School, whom I am so, incredibly proud of and love indescribably much. I have amazing friends, some from middle school, some from high school and college and they have always known about my illness and have never given up on me. I love animals, dogs, horses, cats, all of them. I love flowers and photography. I love to do Zumba, yoga and I really love to dance.

In a way, perhaps, this disease has given me the capacity to feel very deeply. I think people who have mood disorders, such as bipolar, feel things much more deeply than ones who don’t. In some ways, this sensitivity is good, but in sick times, it can be very painful, because the depth of feeling good and especially bad, is so extreme that it can be unbearable.

What am I trying to say here? Well, that I am much more than my disease. I am a person with feelings, desires, loves, dislikes, shortcomings, and strengths just like anyone else. I do recognize, of course, that this illness can complicate my life a lot, and it has done that sometimes. But I am much greater than this illness. In fact I am stronger than it is. And I will never let it beat me. When I get sick, and I realize I am sick, then I increase my medication dose and I get over it.

I just want my new friends, old friends, all my loved ones to know that I value all of you incredibly, and by the same token, I am also a valuable person, who, admittedly, has a disease. But please also know that I am not destructive, malicious, bad or negative. I love you all with all my heart and do wish all of you incredibly well and I hope we will be in each other’s lives forever and ever!!! :-))