Warning Signs
Oftentimes we miss the early warning signs in our children that can manifest into something greater and become a huge disadvantage in their future. Be observant and aware of anything that may seem off to you. Keep a journal of the things that would make you second guess yourself when it comes to their health and well-being. Don’t always assume that mood swings and sometimes manic behavior are just typical teen behavior.
Hope and Unconditional Love
With this story, the mother never gives up hope that her son will one day be able to live a normal life and function freely in society. She never put conditions on the unconditional love in which she has for him. At what point would a mother give up on the child that she has an unfathomable bond with for the safety of herself and others whom come into his presence? In the world in which we live, African American men already have to work a little harder to overcome the stigmas placed on them, so imagine being an African American male with a bipolar disorder.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
One of the misconception of bipolar disorder, is thinking the person suffering with it can control it on their own. Without the proper diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms will only worsen and eventually become detrimental and fatal in some cases. By this memoir being a true story it makes reading it even more moving. Again, I thank this courageous family for sharing such a delicate part of their painful journey with us. It is definitely an eye-opener, and anyone directly or indirectly affected by a mental illness should read this novel; it is an excellent book.
