Of course. Thank you.
In 2014, I started my blog when I saw Clara Hughes, one of our amazing Olympians—a six-time Olympian—on TV. She was talking on the news about Bell Let's Talk. I can tell you that I felt stigmatized to the fullest extent. I was very proud of my career. I was a teacher for Sunnybrook Base Hospital for Georgian College. I was in the first advanced-care paramedic class in the County of Simcoe.
I really didn't want anyone ever to think that there was something I was battling with that would jeopardize my career. I saw Clara Hughes talking about how she battled with this, and it gave me the strength to start a blog. That blog started, I think, on my very first day of an out-patient course, which was through the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. I documented every honest day and every up and down. I carried it on when I went to Homewood in Guelph, which is a rehabilitation hospital, for my PTSD and addiction.
Afterwards, I shared about my life now and how I manage symptoms that I still experience, and how my family and kids have contributed a little bit to the book as well. I have broken down the stigma for kids their age.
The foreword was written by our Olympian Clara Hughes. Also, an acknowledgement was made by our Ottawa councillor Jody Mitic. I was very fortunate to have a lot of amazing support, including that of Todd Doherty and John Brassard, for the book. It is opening a lot of eyes for people. As Mr. Doherty said, you don't need to have a mental illness, if you read my book. What people are enjoying is that it brings you into the mind of someone who has mental illness. It's very raw; it can be very dark. It's actually quite difficult for some people to read, because it's very truthful and honest.
Thank you for letting me share that part. I appreciate it.