Thanks Chris for your beautifully placed words. I find my volunteering to be the most uplifting, rewarding job I've ever had. I have a burning passion to give back what was given so freely and thoughtfully from others. I tell my wife that if I can help one person than my life will be fulfilled. It's all about friends helping friends. I'm grateful for the many blessings that are in my life. I too cannot "lie and hide". I understand why people with a mental diagnosis hide and lie. Society looks down on people like me. I'm not afraid to stand up and tell the world that I'm proud of who I am. Proud of what I had to overcome. I want the world to know that despite my diagnosis I am a good man, with feelings and hopes and dreams. I want the mental health community to know that there is hope. I know I cannot change a person, but I can be a beacon. Without the light shared by others, the darkness can consume. My faith, hope and charity are the greatest right now in my life. I have to share those aspects to help light the way for others. I cannot say enough how much this site has helped me.

Thank you for sharing your life and your insight.

You light the way, and for that I'm grateful.

Dave

My alcoholic partygirl sister shared with me once her take on one of the Ten Commandments.  "Thou shalt not kill."  She said to her that it not only pertains to physically killing a person, but also to killing their hope.  She was my greatest supporter even though she confessed to not understanding anything about the illness.

One of my greatest joys now is when I reveal my illness to someone who didn't know me when I was my sickest.  And they say, "Wow -- I never would have guessed it!  You must have completely recovered!"  So at least I have learned how to blend with the normies w/o calling attention to myself.  And I have greatly recovered.  My heart and compassion go out to others who are disabled, mentally or physically.  I try extra hard to make life a little easier for them by being a friend.

Carolyn