Foreword

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The story behind the story. My first published book is entitled, "Don't Call Me Crazy! Im Just in Love." I wrote this book as fiction inspired by my true story. Meaning the core of the story is true. 

I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia but I did not allow my diagnosis to interfere with my dreams. Some have told me, after seeing me on Bay News 9 as an everyday hero seen by two million viewers, that if I can become successful with all my challenges, then they know they can make it also. Many readers wanted to know my story, so here you go.

Put on some relaxing music, lay back and follow this inspiring journey.

Chapter 1

Who would've thought a schizophrenic would become a published author, get paid to travel and speak, be seen by millions of people on TV and have a hand at producing TV shows? Sounds like a fairytale, right? 

Many have a false image of what mental illness looks like. What is the image that comes to mind when you hear one is schizophrenic?

In the textbooks I used to read in college, the pictures displayed one with mental illness as overweight, unattractive, poorly dressed, and wide eyed. I saw myself differently from what I thought someone with a mental illness would look like and how they would behave before I was diagnosed. I always dressed sharp, clothes ironed, lipstick on and hair long and flawless. I think this is one reason it’s hard for many to receive treatment when they learn of their mental illness. They have one image in their mind of a mentally ill person, and that image does not hold true to how they perceive themselves. That’s why it’s important that we tell our stories. So the full picture of mental illness will show boldly.

I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2003 and many years later, I was told by one of my psychiatrists I was a genius.