Raising the Ground Lowering Sky

When I was 13 months old, I sat in the backseat of my parents' Chevy Impala, on the way to my father's first of many stays in a mental institution. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Bi-Polar I disorder, a severe mental illness that would shape our family's life. His outbursts were unpredictable, confusing, and often violent. As difficult as that was, it was only the beginning of my story.As a teenager, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a mental illness I had been quietly battling for years. This memoir tells the story of what it was like growing up in a family marked by mental illness and how, with the help of medical professionals, therapists, and spiritual teachers, I found my way to a life of healing, success, and contentment. It's a journey of resilience, overcoming adversity, and discovering my own strength.