She has battled an 18-year journey with bi-polar type 1 disorder and alcoholism. Now, she wants to contribute to the mental health dialogue and specifically shed light on bi polar disorder. Driven by her passion to eradicate the stigma and shame associated with mental illness in today’s society, she’s gathering up her courage and sharing her story of resilience with others in an effort to spread hope for those, who like her, struggle with mental illness and substance abuse.