Hi,

Have you ever heard of giving someone a chance? You know, like a kid fresh out of school? Or someone who just graduated from college? They’re just asking for a chance. They have the skill and the knowledge, but maybe they just don’t have the experience. But weren’t we all there at one time? Just asking for that first chance?

So what does this have to do with bipolar disorder?

I’m not just talking about first chances here, I’m talking about second chances.

Maybe when you first met your loved one they told you that they had bipolar disorder, but they asked you to give them a chance. (Obviously you decided to, because you’re with them.) But time has gone on and maybe they’ve had some episodes. But say that your loved one has made some mistakes. They’ve done some things for which they owe consequences.

They may even have hurt you, and you don’t want to forgive them. It’s hard, I know.

When my mom was yelling at me and calling me names and telling me she didn’t even want

me to be her son any more, it hurt. It really hurt. But I had to learn to get over it.

How did I do that? I learned to give her a second chance.

I had to forgive her for the things she had done that hurt me. I had to forgive her for yelling me and calling me names. I had to forgive her for not being there for me. I had to forgive her for not being the mother I wanted her to be because of the bipolar disorder.

How did I do that?

I learned to separate my mom from her disorder. I loved my mom. But I hated her disorder. And that’s ok. If no one’s told you this yet, let me tell you this now – it’s ok to hate bipolar disorder!

Remember back to when you first met your loved one and gave them that first chance. Then remember back to those times that you’ve had to give them those second chances.

Think about how you feel when someone gives you a chance. Or a second chance. Forgiveness is a great thing.

If it feels good when someone does it for you, wouldn’t it feel good if you did it for your loved

one?

Well, I have to go!

Dave