What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
When this question is asked to
a person with mental illness be prepared for something unusual. People who
suffer from psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia,
sometimes have very poor judgment or low inhibitions. That is they will do
things without a care, that most people wouldn't ever dare venture to attempt.
One thing from my life, that jumps out right away, would be hitch hiking across
the country.
I was twenty years old and
still dripping wet from being baptized into the Christian faith. I had a
yearning to discover the world, something probably enhanced by my fermenting
mental illness. As such I declared to everybody that I was going to hitchhike
across the United States. Concerned my parents purchased me a Greyhound Ameripass.
This pass allowed me to ride a Greyhound Bus as often as I liked for an entire
month. Between riding the bus, walking and hitchhiking I got to see a lot of
these United States. I started from New Jersey, got the bus from Port
Authority, New York City and I was on my way headed towards Philadelphia. From
there a wonderful adventure began.
My journey took me as far south
as Dallas, Texas, as far west as the Pacific Ocean viewed on the shores of San
Francisco and as far north as Washington State. My favorite state was
without a doubt West Virginia. It was second in beauty only to Idaho and
without a doubt it had the nicest people. In West Virginia if one extended
their thumb they'd get a ride in a matter of minutes. In fact one time I was
resting by the side of the road lying down with my head on my backpack getting
some rest. A passing car stopped to see if I was alright.
I met a lot of interesting
people and saw some wonderful sights. In the months ahead these precious
memories I was reaping would help me bear the harshness of confinement in a
psychiatric hospital.
But that ain't he craziest
thing I've ever done.
One time before my mental
illness was officially classified I was in Manhattan on the east side. As I was
walking north I passed by the United Nations. There I approached the guard and
told him that I had a message from God to tell the world. Well I know I'm
teasing you with this introduction but I really don't got the space here to
properly tell this story and many others. Fortunately for you I put down my
stories in my memoirs, "More Than The Madness."
I invite you to take an
intimate tour of my life. You'll find the book interesting, educating,
entertaining and above all a book of humanity.
Here is a link to purchase my
book.
Original post in Psych Central
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