Category: writing

A Reminder To Keep Fighting

So the other day I wrote a blog which I hope you have had a chance to read but if not I’ll forgive you. I spoke of how I got to meet someone the other night who I have admired from afar for a long time now; Michael Landsberg. He was so incredibly kind and he truly is one of the greatest advocates for Mental Illness in Canada. He was also so genuine and focused as we spoke in length about my illness and the battles I have endured for 5 years now trying to find some relief while searching for that “one” treatment that may finally help me. He also reminded me that I can never stop fighting till that day comes, no matter what. He then reiterated this to me again in an email the next day where he recalled much of our conversation we had. As I also mentioned in my blog, Michael does a daily VLOG on his charity’s Facebook page and yesterday while I watched it I immediately felt as though he was talking right to me through the camera’s eyes, directly into my heart. I am so grateful to have met such an incredible man. Please take a moment to watch his video for me and for the millions of others just like me who are battling this deadly disease, who have lost hope and who just need a little reminder to keep on fighting.

#endthestigmatogether #youareenough #bekind #itsoktonotbeok #depressionkills #anxietyisreal #treatmentresistantdepression #sicknotweak #dailylandsblog

Turning My Vision Into A Dream

About a year and a half ago I sat down one afternoon to do some writing which had become a pretty regular routine by then. I felt like writing some poetry that day but it wasn’t until after I finished writing when I realized what I had written was something more than just a poem. Instead I had created the first of MANY drafts of what was to become my vision for a children’s book chronicling a journey through the eyes of a young girl trying to understand what depression is when her mom suddenly becomes ill.

As a mom who had been suffering with depression and anxiety for several years already, I had pretty good insight and understanding into the deep impact my illness was having on my kids (and husband too). And even though they were 11, 14 & 15 years old at the time my illness began 5 years ago they were still just as confused and scared as if they were 3, 6 & 7 years old. And so on that day I took the first step toward fulfilling my dream which started by doing some further research.

Upon my further research I was sadly reminded that there are not enough resources or books available to help parents, caregivers, teachers or loved ones support and comfort young children through their emotions of being both confused and scared when someone they love is suffering with depression, an illness they cannot see.

And now after 18 long months, countless hours and way too many late nights working with the most incredible, passionate and patient illustrator my dream is one step closer to coming true as I place that vision in the hands of a publisher. I hope that one day very soon many children will read my words and feel a little less confused and a little less scared knowing that they are not alone.