Introduction

I'm an actress & college instructor in New York City, writing a memoir on life with a mentally ill mother and how I came to be the non-custodial parent of my two children, dual realities that walk hand-in-hand through a shame-riddled story I've been long afraid to share. But my often troubled story has a happy twist, a happiness that required shaking off the restraints of fear & shame, and living true to my identity.

By sharing my story, I hope to challenge stigma and shame in mental illness, question parental rights in our current social situation, and underscore the importance of identity in a world of increasing conformity. Personally, I'd like to retire this fear of sharing my truth.