5/17/2012 6:00:56 AM
Jason is a very successful national hairstylist who has first hand knowledge of battling mental illness. A manic depressive himself, he wants to fight the stigma that's associated with mental illness, and show others that being different should not be considered a bad thing. He also realizes that sometimes medication and therapy are needed, and feels like he can be a force for the cause, since he's been there, done that. Thoughts?
5/12/2012 6:00:58 AM
Keith read an interview with me and shared some of his blogs with us. He writes about faith, and how it can carry us through the darkest of times, to emerge stronger and better than before. Have your trials in life made you stronger?
5/5/2012 10:00:40 AM
Linda has been a night nurse for 30 years. She likes it that way, and never knows what the next night will bring. After two marriages, she realizes she's better off single. Reading my book, she scored highly on the ADHD scale and she's thrilled that finally things make perfect sense. She knows she has money management issues and isn't the best housekeeper, but she's ADHD and ok with that. She is indeed, "Better Than Normal". Are you?
4/26/2012 6:00:44 AM
Lucy doesn't care much for people. She's happiest when she's alone, taking trips, gardening and reading. She has a couple of friends that she sees two or three times a year and that's just fine with her. The problem is her parents, those friends and her boss tend to think she's depressed and needs help. Does she need to change her life to make them feel better?
4/20/2012 2:00:15 PM
Kendall scored very high on the ADHD, Magical, OCD and Hyper Alert continuums, and had learned to not only use these traits to his advantage, but also with the help of a smart and understanding employer, 10 years ago he found the perfect job. Now, because of a new company contract, he is being forced to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day and feels like a bird in a cage and he's freaking out. He's not sure what to do. What can he do? What would you do?
4/18/2012 2:00:29 PM
Kit realizes many people with bipolar disorder must rely on medication and therapies. He, however, finds humor to be the best medicine for him. He wrote a book called 'Dodging Suicide' to discuss.
3/30/2012 6:00:23 AM
Maud has written to me before. She was in an abusive marriage, but hoped her husband would change, though I told her he would not. Once she realized there was no such luck for that to happen, she found the courage to leave. Now she and her baby are happy, content and have found peace in their lives. A must read for anyone who is abused or if you know of someone being abused. Thoughts?
3/27/2012 10:00:04 PM
Susan, 60, was the product of a failed abortion. One of three babies, she was born with virtually no intestines and no bones in her ankle or heel. It took 22 surgeries before she could walk. She survived a very physically abusive husband, and being very over-weight and has lost all her teeth. Sometimes it gets to be too much and she can't cope and she asks if that's normal? She asks if her life will forever be dictated by her birth defects, or if her hardships can be overcome. What do you think?
3/25/2012 6:00:55 AM
Michael comments on Bill Cooper's letter regarding races working together to benefit all. As a white South African, he expands on tolerance, and on appreciating each other as children of God.
3/18/2012 6:00:31 AM
Kanyi, a very gentle person, grew up in a home with domestic violence. Later, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and experienced some of the horrific conditions in mental hospitals in Kenya. Do you think we still have a stigma attached to mental illness?
3/3/2012 10:00:45 PM
Oladipo has been diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder, but he's not about to let that get the best of him. Persevering against all odds, he is now educated and has a good job. He has friends in both the US and Asia and considers himself successful. Have you ever had to overcome something like that in life? If so, how?
2/25/2012 2:00:52 PM
Lucian suffered terrible, unspeakable abuses at the hands of many when he was merely a child starting at 9 years of age. As an adult, he is in New York City, helping others with mental illness. He has authored poems to help survivors of abuse, victims of rape, self-cutters and more. He wants to continue to help others, although for him it feels like he will never get over his past. He wonders if this is all there is to life? Do you have words of encouragement for him?
2/18/2012 6:00:44 AM
Catherine was adopted when she was six months old by a couple who had their birth son six months earlier. Neglected by her mother but loved by her father, the family constantly moved because of her father's job. She suffered delusions, psychosis and nervous breakdowns. She found a convent in London where she learned English. After numerous psychotic episodes, she received her English Literature degree, had a son, and is now happy and secure in life. She tells everyone: Never give up! Do you agree?
2/15/2012 6:00:02 AM
Ginny's son suffered from epilepsy, schizophrenia and depression. He committed suicide in May 2011. Now he is gone, and she misses him so, but in his memory she started the non-profit organization, Preventing Teen Tragedy. Do you think you could be this brave after the loss of your child? What would you do?
2/13/2012 10:00:42 PM
When Lisa was young she wished someone else was her mother. Now her mom suffers from Alzheimer's, and she wouldn't trade her mom for anyone else in the world. She started a blog -- a love story of sorts -- dedicated to her mother. While she is touched by others, she wants to touch others' lives, as well, and make a difference. Do you know someone with dementia or Alzheimer's, and do you find it difficult to cope?
2/6/2012 2:00:16 PM
Observer sees herself as a very complex person, but in no way means that in a bad way. She used that complexity to help her become better than normal, and it's helped with a successful career as well. She looks forward to reading my upcoming book. Are YOU better than normal?
2/4/2012 10:00:59 PM
Alice lived 36 years of verbal abuse, and is now trying to get others to listen to her story. Verbal abuse is not mere words that just disappear once spoken. It can shred a person's self esteem, bringing feelings of worthlessness and depression. Are you one of the statistics -- on in three -- who have been repeatedly verbally abused by a loved one? How do you handle this?
2/2/2012 6:00:10 AM
Erin, 27, has been diagnosed with bipolar 2 and borderline personality. She participates in behavioral therapy and works with her bipolar disorder to further her career. She finds that because of her disorder, she knows how to increase her productivity, thus being very successful in her profession. Do you have challenges that, when overcome, actually help you succeed within your own career?
1/20/2012 10:00:36 PM
Cindy is living the good life as a kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she experienced many setbacks, such as DID, depression, the loss of both her father and brother and even faulted for seducing a youth minister, even though she was underage. Through psychotherapy and antidepressants and a very good psychiatrist, she is happily married and finally enjoying her life. Have you ever overcome an obstacle that seemed insurmountable?
1/12/2012 6:00:38 AM
Barbara's mom had her own problems when she was born. Raised by a mom who was cruel and insulting, she tried to be the best she could be to win over her mom's love, but never got there. Then she became a mom herself. Wanting to be the best mom possible, yet having her mom tell them lies, her children pulled away, breaking her heart. Now as adults, her daughter is talking to her and getting closer. And, she'll never give up hope that her son will one day follow suit. Do you have words for this hopeful mom?
1/4/2012 10:00:31 PM
Debbie has suffered from depression since high school. She married and went through the pain of losing her mom, only to realize that she was pregnant. That's when the delusions started and she began to self-medicate with alcohol. Ending up in the hospital from an overdose was a blessing in disguise, for now she is secure and takes one day at a time, enjoying her husband and 7 year old daughter. Check out this success story.
12/26/2011 2:00:56 PM
Meriam is a mother of three who had major back surgery because of physical abuse by her ex. Now, a year later, she's free from her abuser, and is working towards a better life. Do you have words of encouragement for her?
12/25/2011 2:00:23 PM
@UnwarnedLife finally healed after the death of a loved one. When she recovered, her life shattered again because of losing another loved one. She realizes life is difficult, the road can be long, but she must take one step at a time, one day at a time. Is that the secret to life?
12/22/2011 10:00:58 PM
Shand'e survived terrible abuse at the hands of her police Lt. husband until the day she decided to not take it any more. She filed a complaint with the DA, but sadly discovered only 3 to 4 percent of domestic violence cases are ever prosecuted. Seeing the injustice, she decided she will never be silent again about domestic violence. Do you think all abusive partners should face criminal charges?
12/19/2011 2:00:45 PM
Tammy originally wrote to me when her son died in an automobile crash. She had also found out her husband had an affair with one of the women in the car. Now she writes with an update. A touching story.
