For reasons unknown I find it difficult to write. Maybe it is because I don’t know how to share the upheaval that has occurred in our lives due to the mental illness of a loved one. The mental illness I am talking about is bipolar disorder, and it afflicts our beautiful daughter Kim who is 21 and therefore afflicts me, my husband Bill, youngest daughter Katlin who is 20 and older son Paul who is 24. In particular, from August 2001 to May 21, 2010 life was extremely chaotic and unpredictable. Currently life is calmer. We strive to live a more peaceful life and enjoy the calm while we have it. I am thankful to say that as a family we have faced the challenges bipolar disorder has presented us, and we will continue to as we learn more about mental illness and how best to support our loved one. We walk side by side.
