Grace Ann Carlson
Born in 1958, Duncan, BC, my name is Grace Ann Carlson (nee Clarke). My older brother and I were raised by our parents Stanley and Marjorie Clarke in the small, lake side town of Honeymoon Bay, on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada.
In 1976, I graduated high school, moved out of my parents’ house and into my own apartment in Victoria, BC; to attend a business college. While in the big city I eventually met and married my soul mate, Ron Carlson. Later came a son, Derrick, born in 1980; and in 1982, a daughter, Sherrie.
Although there have been several moves to different locations on Vancouver Island, Ron and I made this island paradise our permanent home.
As a psychiatric patient who suffered with severe mental illness, life was no picnic. But boy do I have a story to tell and it is a true story. Not to give away the ending, I will only say that my battle with insanity has a happy conclusion.
Enduring episodes of psychosis that ranged from manic euphoria, depression, racing thoughts, delusions, paranoia and hallucinations was challenging. The severity of my mental decline required various stays on the psychiatric ward of Hospitals and anti-psychotic medication became my daily routine.
Doctors diagnosed me with severe, hereditary, bipolar disorder and the prognosis was to remain on psychiatric medication for my lifetime.
Parts in my book have been altered slightly by changing names of locations and people to protect the privacy of certain individuals. Yet, I do have permission from close family members to use their authentic names.
It is my belief that we all face various degrees of personal challenge. I have experienced a place of inner grief and desperation so intensely void of joy, that at one time, death seemed my only relief. Other people have told me they also endured similar anguish. Some of us survive this place of emotional pain and some do not. For me, fortunately, I made the choice to continue my physical existence; only through the Grace of God.
Had I ended my life, I would never have realized the only thing making me feel bad was my own thoughts.
