Success is Defined by the Quality of Your Journey
In life there are several kinds of relationships, but in my experience the one you have with yourself will always carry you through. I hope that my story brings hope, comfort and inspiration.
Andrea Paquette
My life was beautiful before the diagnosis and remains so. In my early years, I found myself on my own at 17 and even with several obstacles in my way, I graduated with numerous scholarships and headed to university. I completed a double major in Political Science/Women Studies which led me into my present career in the BC government. During my twenties I explored several positions of research, policy and communications, and eventually went on to tackle the nomination to be one of the youngest female members of parliament ever to be elected to Ottawa. Although I did not win the ballot count, it led me to seek adventure and make a solo road trip across the country to Ottawa where I pursued my political dreams. This is when my world began to take shape in ways that remain inextricably wondrous and unexplainable to this day. Not only did I experience intense and overpowering mania, but unknowingly my mind was thrown deep into the depths of psychosis. It felt as if I were broken. My life was never to be the same.
As most people diagnosed with bipolar for the first time, I found myself briefly hospitalized. During my time in Ottawa I learned the value of humility, the importance of security, and the kindness of strangers. As I gained mental strength and a little piece of myself back over the months, I made my way home to BC. As I gripped the steering wheel on my own, and headed west, I cursed a God that seemed to have forgotten me.
I now realize the acceptance of my illness and the actions that I took from that point had a lot to do with saving my life. I soon chose healing and I reached a dream by eventually making it to Korea to teach overseas. I found peace in the arms of the children I taught and gained confidence as I reached new heights as a university professor. In the spring of 2007 I returned home with two suitcases and a stretch of the unknown ahead of me. By the end of the summer I gained a new respect for life and myself. It feels absolutely fabulous knowing that my health is the best it has ever been. Over time, I gained meaningful employment, selected new and positive friendships, created new relationships with my family, and now I have finally found a sense of well-being and balance!
Success is defined by the quality of one’s journey. I am ready to embrace an advocate role for those with mental illnesses and battle the stigma that pervades our society. If I can convey one message it would be that hope moves mountains, and this life is a precious gift; always remember no matter how lonely the road gets, we are never forgotten.
As most people diagnosed with bipolar for the first time, I found myself briefly hospitalized. During my time in Ottawa I learned the value of humility, the importance of security, and the kindness of strangers. As I gained mental strength and a little piece of myself back over the months, I made my way home to BC. As I gripped the steering wheel on my own, and headed west, I cursed a God that seemed to have forgotten me.
I now realize the acceptance of my illness and the actions that I took from that point had a lot to do with saving my life. I soon chose healing and I reached a dream by eventually making it to Korea to teach overseas. I found peace in the arms of the children I taught and gained confidence as I reached new heights as a university professor. In the spring of 2007 I returned home with two suitcases and a stretch of the unknown ahead of me. By the end of the summer I gained a new respect for life and myself. It feels absolutely fabulous knowing that my health is the best it has ever been. Over time, I gained meaningful employment, selected new and positive friendships, created new relationships with my family, and now I have finally found a sense of well-being and balance!
Success is defined by the quality of one’s journey. I am ready to embrace an advocate role for those with mental illnesses and battle the stigma that pervades our society. If I can convey one message it would be that hope moves mountains, and this life is a precious gift; always remember no matter how lonely the road gets, we are never forgotten.
Andrea Paquette
|
Text Size
 |
Design by BlueMist | |||||
| © 2009 Mood Disorders Association of British Columbia. All rights reserved. | |||||||
| MDA does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information. | |||||||
