I am in my early thirties and very passionate about continuing self improvement. I enjoy music, writing, reading, dogs, roadtrips, walks, baseball, learning new things, and diet cola…not necessarily in that order. :) I am legally disabled by a combination of mental illness, the drugs used to treat said illness and past trauma. However, it is not as dire as it may sound. If you met me briefly, or even as a casual acquaintance, you would not be likely to guess that my mental health was an issue at all. I have many blessings and lead a happy, full life and am always working to make it better!

I grew up as an only child with a very loving, if somewhat dysfunctional family. I enjoyed my childhood and loved my teenage years. When I graduated high school I joined the Army. That was a terrible fit for me. The combination of my mental issues and past experiences along with my inherent distaste for violence created a semblance of the “perfect storm”. For a long time I looked at my very short time in the military as a failure. Through many years of reflection and counseling I have come to see that it just wasn’t meant to be, and that doesn’t make me a bad person. One of my psychiatrists once told me that he felt that I was just too kind and gentle for the military. I have always appreciated him pointing that out.

My future is bright! I have a fantastic life thanks to my amazing and generous Parents, my supportive extended family, a wonderful network of loyal friends, a very talented therapist, skillful medicine management and (last but not least) my two beautiful MinPins that bring me so much joy. I will continue to learn and develop as a person. I will make myself better each day. My favorite quote from Richard Bach pretty much sums up my feelings, “I gave my life to be the person I am right now. Was it worth it?”