Any Academic Goal Is Possible

[Carol-Anne]

Hi students, families and friends. I am 57 and have been diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 since 1989 and was previously undiagnosed for around 15 years or more. I am writing to let everybody know any academic goal is possible. I am currently completing my PhD in Creative Writing after taking what seems to be the longest permitted period of enrolment. But I am getting there, complete with three long periods in a private hospital ward and many, many outpatient attendances. But despite this   I am confident of completing in a couple of months time, perhaps early 2014.

The Unis have disability support officers and policies but often they do not know how best to support those of us with mental illnesses. The administrative systems for leaves of absence, sick leave, students grants and scholarships are not set up for any interrupted period of candidature. But with our own knowledge of our illness, and courage to speak to Counsellors and Deans, even our lecturers, we can force change and needed concessions. I know I have done it. It takes energy and emotional commitment so my advice is speak up when you are well, just flagging the possibility you might need help in the future. Fill out the box on the enrolment forms that indicates you have a disability which may impact your candidature. 99% of the time we have ABILITY but should the dark times descend we have a positive track record up until then to gain the necessary support and good will to counter any discrimination or stigma. I may not be young but I consider myself highly successful having held down many highly skilled jobs, completing all my education from high school, TAFE, and every level of Uni. Gee I've even taught and lectured at them.  Now I am becoming a published writer and Stand Up Comic. It's not an easy road. It can be challenging at times but I would not change my life or swap my illness for anything. Keep your Wellness routines happening and only keep around you supportive and positive friends...let the others go...you health and well Eng is more important. The more of us who succeed in every walk of life and who are willing to speak openly about mental illness will eventually eradicate stigma and discrimination.

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear Carol-Anne,

Congratulations on getting through academia with disability support.  I've got a son taking a semester off through depression.     Maybe the 50's would have had a more "no, you finish your course properly" stance ?    Creative writing would tap productively into the imagination, spontaneity and creativity of bipolar.  So often, with bipolar, these things get us into trouble and offend the Police norm.

I got diagnosed with bipolar 2 years before you and at the time was an English Army musician.   The illness eventually caused a medical discharge but when it was dong the initial damage I always remember lining up to do the usual "Changing Guard at Buckingham Palace" routine and being on the verge of mania.  The Colour Sergeant was unimpressed and shouted "Get a bloody pie and and a beer down your neck sunny boy and sort it out !".

Sometimes the creative writing writes itself !  Lol.  The authors I know always bemoan the Book Tour.  So much of a highlight but when you go home.......a bit depressing.  Richard Glover wrote a very funny piece a few months ago about his Book Tour experience promoting "George Clooney's Haircut and Other Cries for Attention".   At one stay he outnumbered the patrons.   The diabolical vortex of Amazons's "If you like this you might like this" has got to be avoided to keep things varied and spicey.   Otherwise we end up with a narrower perspective.

I've got a big band I compose for and the mental illness element is practically embedded in the jazz musicians.  The more chaotic being the most valuable.  You must enjoy your writing to have gone so far with it.  Now you just need a body of work to put the stigma of mental illness in the same section as the Readers' Digest.

Adios, David.

PS  I guess Stand Up Comedy wouldn't be attractive if it didn't have that element of danger - say, an audience fully botoxed so you can't tell if they're laughing or not.

[amamas]

Hi Carol-Anne

I celebrate you big time!!  Congratulations on all your incredible and ongoing achievements!!

What an inspiration you are!

Thank you so much for sharing your story!! You have certainly helped me out of a tiny rut - the size of the grand canyon.  I've been trying to get back into study all year. I start the term them my depression kicks me up the arse and I can't complete.  I have just been debating with myself if I should even bother starting this term.  You've made me feel so much better.

I was feeling like a total loser /failure, haven't even completed a term, but you've reminded me that depression is a very valid reason.

Thank you so much!!  I am going to try again this term.

Thank you heaps and heaps!!

Cheers amamas

[geoff]

dear Carol-Anne, all I can do is to congratulate you 200%, if there's a means then there's a way. (?)

David this had me laughing ' fully botoxed so you can't tell if they're laughing or not'.

Amamas if this can make you a tiny bit determined then that's a plus, you have been through a hell of a lot and if Carol-Anne can give you some inspiration then we are behind you all the way. L Geoff. x