Embracing The Shadows is a non-fiction narrative about three different types of mental illness in my family of origin. I asked the question, “Why not me?� along with searching for answers on how these illnesses were related.
I tell of my father’s Manic Depression that went unmedicated until Lithium was FDA-approved in 1967.
Secondly, I talk about my brother’s life - being institutionalized at the age of 3 ½ and spending 15 years at Willowbrook State School on Staten Island.
My third family member, my sister Lorraine, was diagnosed as schizophrenic around age 16. She eventually committed suicide.
After telling these stories I did some research into DNA and how Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Level 3 Autism (if that was what my brother had) are found to be connected.
My Epilogue is about the emotional visit my youngest sister and I took to the group home where my brother lives in Plattsburgh, New York, In October 2023. The last time I had seen him was at Willowbrook, in 1970. Fifty-three years ago. My sister had never met him.
I tell of my father’s Manic Depression that went unmedicated until Lithium was FDA-approved in 1967.
Secondly, I talk about my brother’s life - being institutionalized at the age of 3 ½ and spending 15 years at Willowbrook State School on Staten Island.
My third family member, my sister Lorraine, was diagnosed as schizophrenic around age 16. She eventually committed suicide.
After telling these stories I did some research into DNA and how Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Level 3 Autism (if that was what my brother had) are found to be connected.
My Epilogue is about the emotional visit my youngest sister and I took to the group home where my brother lives in Plattsburgh, New York, In October 2023. The last time I had seen him was at Willowbrook, in 1970. Fifty-three years ago. My sister had never met him.