On June 24, 2018, I’m going to be jumping on my bike and riding for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s annual fundraising bike ride, Ride Don’t Hide.
This bike ride fundraiser means a lot to me. A couple of years ago, I almost decided not to be here. And yet, I’m here. I’m alive. I’m humbled. I’m blessed. While I still struggle with it everyday, I’ve learnt to live with my mental illness.
I am usually more reserved about my experiences with mental illness. I never really wanted to share such a personal topic, or some of my darkest moments, on social media. I’m a natural introvert (some of you will be surprised) and it’s tough for me to talk about my feelings. I really believe that it’s in the quiet conversations where we need to support one another. I think the best support is just being committed to listening and learning.
But I’ve been at the bottom, sat in the darkness and wallowed in its waves. I’ve struggled, been hospitalized, been diagnosed (and misdiagnosed), tried countless meds with so many different psychological effects and side-effects. And I’ve almost never made it back. But eventually one diagnosis made sense, and together with all of the medical professionals that have helped me, I found a treatment plan that has worked for me. My mental illness will always live with me and I struggle with it everyday, but I’ve learnt how to take care of myself and I have the support of my wonderful family and friends around me.
Now, I have this opportunity to do something and I want to do my part to help others who live with mental illness. I will be riding 10km in Peel Dufferin – Caledon Hills on June 24th and I need your help to raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association. They provide many valuable programs and services supporting youth, adults, and their families in the region, struggling with mental illness and substance use/addiction. They do great work in bringing awareness to mental health and addressing the stigma around mental illness.
I’m doing this for myself and my experiences with mental illness. I’m doing this for all of my friends who struggle with mental illness. And I’m doing this everyone – especially a close friend – who are, unfortunately, not longer with us.
Please help me and donate whatever you can! Don’t just do it for me: do it for yourself, for your friends, for your family. I’ve started by donating $10, so I hope you can match that or – if you’re extremely generous – donate more than that. And then, I’m asking you to please share my story and my fundraising page with others all over social media. Right now, my fundraising goal is $150 but I hope we can all beat that. I would be extremely humbled and grateful for any and all of your support. I truly appreciate it.
There’s a poem by Robert Frost that I love that has kept me going the last few years. It goes, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep / But I have promises to keep / And miles to go before I sleep / And miles to go before I sleep.” These words kept me alive, and it’s what inspires me to participate in this fundraiser.
Thank you for all of your help!