Q. Why do you use the word crazy? Isn't that like keeping the stigma alive? A. I have found that words are just that - words. It is the meaning and the power that we give a word that allows a word to offend us. I decided to put a different spin on the word crazy.

I decided to used crazy in a way that empowers me. The word crazy is also used to mean "in love with" as in "I'm crazy about you". Another example is the Gershwin musical entitled "Crazy for You".

I realized that until I loved myself and accepted responsibility for me, nothing was going to change in my life for the better. Therefore, I say that I got "Crazy for Me."

Q. Will this CD help me get off my medication?

A. I'm not a doctor. I cannot tell and do not attempt to tell anyone about medication. In this CD and the CDs that will follow, I share strategies and beliefs that have empowered me and have allowed me to live medication and hospital free over the past 13 years.

I do talk about some things that, if we did them, we would definitely see some improvement in the quality of our lives.

Notice, the title is "How I Got Over Bipolar Disorder" - I didn't say cured. (Although I do belieive that each of us has the power to heal ourselves. The challenge is remembering that we have that power and remembering to tap into it.)

In the meantime, I believe we can get over (rise above) bipolar disorder and other life stuff (challenges and stresses) and have a joyful life in spite of what ever the diagnosis is.

Q. Is this a religious inspirational CD?

A. I believe one's religion is one's personal choice. I call Crazy for Me an inspirational CD because it is my intention to inspire the listener no matter what their religious beliefs might be. By inspire, I mean to encourage, to motivate or guide you toward some new empowering ways of thinking.

I think the general tone of the CD is spiritual because I believe that we are spiritual beings. By spiritual beings, I mean that I know there is more to us than our physical bodies and each of us is more powerful, and wiser than we realize. My desire is to remind you of how magnificent you already are.

Q. Why a CD? Weren't you writing a book?

A. When I was not feeling well and I was taking a lot of medication, reading was not always an option. The words were blurry on the page and my concentration was not very good. Therefore, I decided to do a CD first because being able to listen to a CD made all the difference in my recovery.

If I was feeling tired or unmotivated to read, I could lie on my sofa or just sit in a chair with my eyes closed and still get some inspiring and motivating messages.

I hope that this CD will also do the same for someone who is unable to read or not interested in reading because of complications of the (so-called) dis-ease.

Oh yes, about the book -- I must admit that I spent so much time working on the proposal for the book, that I never got around to actually getting the book finished. Also, even though I speak openly about my mental health history, there was a part of me that was not sure I wanted even more personal stuff about me floating around in book form. I've since gotten over that fear.

I am very proud to announce: the book, You Don't Know Crazy - My Life Before, During, After, Above and Beyond Mental Illness is here!