I was diagnosed bipolar in 2009, but I’ve had issues with mental health for most of my life, including early struggles with depression.  I have been on disability since 2011.  I was fortunate that I did not suffer from more acute symptoms of mental illness until my late twenties, so I was able to work full time, pay into social security and support myself.  Depression and anxiety have been the most crippling part of my illness, but I also struggled with manic symptoms on and off for several years, which led to multiple hospitalizations.  I have many friends with debilitating mental and physical health conditions who struggled to get the care they need even with the Affordable Care Act.  Now facing the threat of inadequate or, worse, nonexistent care, many of them have expressed serious concern for their well-being and that of their friends and loved ones who rely on programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.  They did not choose to be ill any more than a cancer patient chooses to be diagnosed with a terminal illness.  Although I can’t be in Washington tomorrow, I want my voice and the voices of my fellow Americans to be heard.  We may be struggling, but we struggle together and WE HAVE VALUE.

I have been on disability since 2011.  I’m currently preparing to re-enter the work force part time after successfully managing to maintain my stability for over a year.