D Is for Daughter

Bipolar disorder - PubMed Health

I have a precious daughter name Ashley! She is all I could ever ask for in a child. She is 19 years old and one of the most caring, attentive, loving persons I know but there is a darker side to her. She suffers from a mental disorder. Well she has a few disorders but the one that haunts us the worst is Bipolar. She has struggled with this all of her life but she is finally getting the hang of some coping techniques and strategies. It has been a hard couple of years because she didn't accept it right off. She cursed GOD and all around her. It was HELL for the family that was supporting her. She felt she was not "normal" and she just wanted to die. She started cutting herself and honestly being in the African American culture we turn our heads to things like this. It is still hard to get my daughter help for the self mutilation part but she has been "CUT FREE" for over a year now. Yayyyyyy Ashley! I am writing about Ash because I want other mothers, relatives and friends to know you are not alone. There are a lot of people suffering from this illness that are so misunderstood. Keep your eyes open for signs and reach out to them. I refuse to allow my daughter to live in the dark and keep this a secret. I told her if she speaks about it that this may help someone else. She is now in college and still struggling to go about her day every minute that passes. But she has ME! Always.
I love you Ashley (Moo Moo) and like I have told you EVERYDAY! Never give up.
Smooches