My story is different in the way that it is about suffering from a Dual Diagnosis mental illness; major depression/bipolar, and alcoholism and as frosting on the cake, skin cancer. The skin cancer I could deal with, I was VERY lucky to have pursued treatment after being told several times it was just a "skin rash". What was the hardest thing to deal with was my downward spiral of depression over the years. I was able to function without people knowing for a long time but I was suicidal and not in my right mind. A couple glasses of wine became my ease of pain for a while until it began to work against me. Alcohol works chemically different in women. Even cutting back amounts were causing me major problems and being on various anti-depressants do not mix well. I will spare the gory details, but after a pretty lame attempt at "disappearing" and 3 trips to the ER I got help. It is hard when you suffer from any mood disorder to get help (let alone being weak and guilt ridden) because of the stigma that it is all in your head which it is proven medically it is not! I feel I must go out on a limb and admit openly that there is no shame in having these "disorders" These are diseases just like any other. I am a work in progress, but 100% better than last year with lots of therapy and support and the right medication. My thanks and love go to first my supportive family, Hans, son Lars and my mom, dad and sister Annette and everyone else that has touched my life this year. Thank you Robyn, Melissa, Louise, Danelle, Florence, gods, goddesses and those I may have missed. I hope to do you proud!! Please consider donating to the future recipients!