Story
We have decided to ask guests to consider making a charity donation on our behalf to one of three charities that we have chosen. This is one of our chosen charities. The other two are available on the withjoy site.
http://withjoy.com/michael-and-helen
I first received my Bipolar diagnosis at the age of 18 when I required treatment for an episode of Mania.
Bipolar affective disorder is a mood disorder which effects your behaviour with your mood changing from manic highs to extreme lows of depression. It is a condition which effects around 1 in 50 people in the UK. There is an increased chance of having Bipolar if another family member also has the condition. Bipolar disorder runs in my family as my Grandfather was diagnosed with the same condition decades previously when it was known an manic depression.
Bipolar is a condition whereby the low and high cycles can be triggered by life events both positive and negative along with periods of stress. Roll forward January 2020 and Michael proposed to me in Lake Bled. After over a decade of no mental health problems with my Bipolar condition, this tiggered an episode of hypomania.
They say that planning a Wedding is one of the most stressful things that someone can do... try planning a Wedding with a mood disorder such as Bipolar with a postponement while living in uncertain covid times. It has certainly been a rocky 2.5 years but I have been very lucky to have an amazing support network. I have received further support from Bipolar Aberdeen which is a peer support group which I try to attend every fortnight.
Bipolar Aberdeen has been extremely valuable especially their monthly face-to-face meetings. I have found it very helpful sharing experiences, learning coping strategies, lifestyle adjustments and general advise from people with the same condition. This group used to be funded partly by the National Lottery but this arrangement was stopped in the lead up to the London Olympics as funds were directed there instead. The group relies on fundraising from members and other sources to operate. I definitely don't intend to run a 5k, 10k and most definitely not a marathon fundraiser like some members have in the past!! So if you wish to make a donation to my local Bipolar support group as a Wedding gift then that would be much appreciated! The funds will not just help myself but others within the local Aberdeen community.
Helen :-)