I worked hard to come back from the brink. I fight my illness nearly every day of my life. But I am not a hero for the abled to applaud. My life is my own to live, not as an example for those who have no clue of what I have experienced. #bipolardisorder
It is dangerous for us to seek the fawning attention of the abled. It does not raise us in their eyes but lowers the body of all of us as human beings. While I will accept help from the abled if I need it, I am wary of it because of what may come attached.
And I must ask: is my life story that much more helpful to others with my condition than taking the time to listen to people in need? My experience is special to me. I have not written a book because I do not want...
...a legacy of distracting people from their own stories. There are enough books to tell people that they are not alone. I am not as literate and resourceful as others to launch another. If I would pass any advice,...
...to readers, it would be to know your own story. I have been learning mine and to tell the truth, mine is pretty boring and only shows that I am mediocre in the eyes of the world. Even when I make an effort to draw attention to myself,...
...I remain invisible. My wife receives more attention for her various short stories and genealogy papers than I do for my blog and for my photographs. Every week I listen to fellow sufferers who talk about...
...their friendships and encounters with famous people, about the poetry they have written, about the great things they have accomplished. My record is one of angering people who count. My record is being adept at being ignored. But before...
...you urge me to keep trying, remember that I have done little to inspire. I was born with a gene for #bipolardisorder. I did much of what I had to do. A great substance has gone undone, unfinished. So whatever you do...
...do not make me a hero of yours. Don't steal my life from me.
