In Feb this year when we launched Onewave I
started to open up more about having bipolar. If people asked why we started
Onewave, I would tell them how I had been diagnosed with bipolar and how surfing
had helped me get through a funk. I
didn’t know what the reaction would be. I didn’t know whether people would
freak out or just wouldn’t know what to say.
I have been so lucky that I have had the
most amazing humans around me this year – family, friends and strangers. Not
only have you made me feel it is ok to have bipolar, but you have inspired me
to keep sharing my story. THANK YOU for your rad love and support- you have
given me the confidence back to be myself again and that feels effin radJ
Since putting myself out there, I have
discovered that there are so many other people, just like you and me, who are
impacted by mental illness. We don’t pick mental illness it chooses us and
sometimes it is the people you least expect that it hits. Some people are open
about it and others choose to hide it from their friends and family because there
is still so much social stigma out there. The crazy thing is, we are all trying
to find a way to beat it, because it hurts like hell, but it is so damn hard,
because we don’t talk about it.
If your lucky you might find the right doctor
and pych straight away, but if you are like me you might struggle for months to
find the right help. I used to really struggle going to sit in those shit
little rooms and talking to a pych, who never really seemed to understand me. I
mean it made me feel good for a bit, but then the hour was up and I had to
leave and pay $150 and I was left wondering what next?
What did make me feel bloody good was
talking to someone who also been affected by mental illness. I was so lucky to meet a few good humans
through Onewave who also have bipolar and always having my Dad to talk to. It
was like talking to a long lost brother. Being able to go out for a surf and
talk to a mate about how they coped with bipolar was the best therapy for me. Just
knowing that I wasn’t the only one and I had other bipolar bears to call up if
I needed help was unreal.
I didn’t choose to have bipolar, it chose
me but thanks to my rad friends and family 2013 has been the year I have learn’t
that it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have, if you embrace it and put
yourself out there, you will get a whole lot of love and kindness back.
THANK YOU legends for making this happen:)) If you ever need anyone to talk to about anything,
I am here anytime.
Happy New Year y'all...Hope you all have a RAD RAD 2014!!!
PEACE, LOVE & BIG BEAR HUGs XX
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