Passages

Great show, as always! And Erica, I personally LOVE “Flammable Nymphomaniac!”

Your writing, your delivery, the RISK! production… Riveting and wrenching. I am so grateful that you choose to offer us your deepest, Erica Blumfield.

I loved hearing your story Erica. It’s definitely one of my favourite Risk stories. I’m not bipolar, but I do have severe treatment resistant depression which has debilitated my life for 7 years now. I can deeply relate to your depressive episodes, not showering, the shame… I was glad to hear California has some help for mental health. I’m fortunate to live in Canada where I get decent care compared to the US. I hope your country will elect leaders who put money towards social programs, mental health care and basic medical for all.
About motgerhood… I am a mom, a single mom since the beginning, and I was able to be a good mom until my son was 12, then the depression took over. And I feel guilty, guilty for not being able to parent, not being able to be a good role model, not being able to provide more, to do things with him, to enforce routines. If I knew this is how my son would have to spend half of his developing years, I wouldn’t have had a child (even though it was events, stress, conflict, etc in my motherhood that brought on the depression.)
Our prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has a mom with bipolar disorder. Margaret Trudeau’s children weren’t born toxic9 with 2 heads (what a disgusting comment by that man), but she had a lot of support raising then prime minister’s (Pierre Trudeau’s) children into future prime ministers. I can’t imagine how much more difficult it would have been raising my son as a single parent if I had bipolar myself. I’d probably have had him taken away.
I hope you keep well and avoid the high of mania without drowning in the depths of depression.
I love your story; I love your creativity and talent; I’m going to have a look for your Instagram now.

Lily Be’s story helped me realize I’m asexual, so I just wanted to thank her for sharing!