Things I have been called:
Daughter
Sister
Auee Lieeya (Auntie Linea)
Granddaughter
Friend
Girlfriend
Cousin
Niece
Too-serious
Sensitive
Intense
Happy
Sad
Angry
Smart
Perfectionist
Over-Acheiver
Musician
Artist
Writer
Student
Always-a-student
Graduate
Reader
Photo-taker
Pianist
Singer
Runner
Yoga-doer
Listener
Bipolar
OCPD
OCPDer
Depressed
Cutter
Drinker
Smoker
Bulimic
Patient
Client
Consumer
Survivor
Advocate
Activist
Public-Speaker
Author
Traveler
These are just some of the things I have been called. Some good. Some bad. Some neutral. All are part of me. None define me. I am many things and nothing, but I do my best to participate in this crazy world of ours. I am a new graduate student and up till now have led a double life of researcher and national public speaker. I now spend most of my time traveling the country speaking about mental health, advocacy, youth voice, and transition. I have written Perfect Chaos (Saint Martin's Press, 2012). The rest of my time is spent at my home in Seattle where I enjoy reading, writing, playing music, spending time with my family, exercising, and probably spending too much time just sitting around thinking. Some of my heroes are the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Kay Redfeild Jamison for their bravery, their ability to change minds and hearts that often seem impossible, their brilliance, and their ability to weather the most devastating storms and come out smiling.
