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« on: January 25, 2015, 07:17:53 pm »
Hi!
I wish I wrote as well as Soozan (my wife!), but she has the unfair advantage of being artsy, whereas I am a hard-core computer nerd (i.e. I "code" more than I "write"!). I was diagnosed with Bipolar II illness in 2006, and that was the year that I joined the MDAO forum. Up until I received the diagnosis, I was only considered by people to be "weird" or "eccentric" or "strange"...but after the diagnosis, people 'promoted' me (?!?) to crazy, insane, whacko, etc. I still find it all very funny, since I was on meds and stable when the labels changed.
For many years after the diagnosis, my life became harder. But then I met Soozan! Maybe two 'crazies' don't make a 'sane' person, but my life has improved dramatically since first meeting her. She is truly the love of my life! And can you imagine how nice it is not to be judged for having a mental illness??? Or having to explain it??? This was such an added bonus! Being together is paradise!
Well, like most people, we try to be the best people that we can, and to enjoy life to the fullest! During the summer you can find us in the pool. During the summer, spring and fall we like to take walks. We like to see movies if there are any good ones playing (we just saw "The Wedding Ringer" - it was funny!). Doing the "food ride" is one of our favourite things to do, but we try to show restraint. ;-) We like 'real' food, not that rich-people pretentious crap. I don't care if we only spend $10 --- good food is good food! :-) During the winter months, we try to get away for a night here and there in a hotel...but it must have a hot tub! We also like to get lattes at Second Cup on cheapie Tuesday's. Yes, we are thrifty, but we still have fun!
Okay, we still have our challenges, such as elder-care, the expense of putting two kids thru their post-secondary education, and the odd stress-induced mood swing or bout of anxiety. But I must tell you that Soozan has turned my life around to the point that I feel 'normal' or at least our version of it! ;-) The people at work have noticed it too!
Rich