Samantha Lewis

DON'T DEFINE HER BY HER ILLNESS

Samantha Lewis, first-time author of: A Bipolar Life Well-Lived, was over the moon when her dream came true and her autobiography appeared in print.

A long struggle with bipolar disorder characterised her adulthood, but she claims that the good times by far outweighed the bad.

Now married to her second husband, Samantha lives in a house in suburbia with a wonderful garden dominated by a bountiful apple tree. She regularly sees her daughter, who she treasures dearly, and her twin grandsons keep her on her toes. She loves walking (she never cycles), and yoga, entertaining when she has the energy and gardening. Now retired, she is less stressed by the pressures of daily living, her time is her own and she has the freedom to choose how she fills it.

In A Bipolar Life Well-Lived Samantha describes her youth, how she has an almost fatal accident but survives, a damaged persona. Despite this she goes to France, marries, and stays there for eight years. Her illness manifests itself during this time and she eventually returns to England, pregnant.

Over the years, Samantha learnt to manage her illness. She never let it rule her life. This is the message that comes across in her writing, sometimes with a humorous slant.

A Bipolar Life Well-Lived by Samantha Lewis