My mental illness started when I was only 21 years old. My mental illness was from giving birth to my first son. I didn’t have a very supportive family at the time to help me through my problems then, plus I had a husband that just threw me in a psych unit so his family could have my child. I was in there for six months to a year and then I moved to Maine after my divorce to my husband.

In 1994 my second son was born in Maine and I was fine with his birth. I gave birth to my daughter in 1997 and I again had a relapse due to her birth and I was hospitalized that time for one year. I then moved back to Michigan and lived with my parents for some time then moved to Colonial Acres for safety reasons. I lived there for about nine months, then met my wonderful husband, whom I am married to now. Since then I have regained custody of my children, Ashley and Nathaniel.

Life with the children is very fulfilling and they keep me happy with joy. Since I have had my children I have a better home and better lifestyle, as in vehicle outings. I have my own washing facilities. The main thing I do to stay well is take my meds. My payee Ranee is saving my family money to go to Maine this summer and my family is very excited about this because my children were born in Maine and they want to see the hospital in which they were born.