After years of coping with bipolar disorder, Lizzie Simon said she has come to the point in her life where she wants to give back and help those who endure the pain and trauma of the mental illness.
Simon visited the university on Monday to give a speech dedicated to the memory of Drew Sopirak, a Brandywine High School and Air Force Academy graduate who fought an 18-month struggle with bipolar disorder, until Jan. 27, 1996, when the illness took his life.
The presentation was conducted by Active Minds Delaware and New Directions Delaware Inc. - two support groups that serve individuals and families who deal with bipolar disorder.
Simon said she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 17, during a time when there was little information available to her and her family on the mental illness. She spoke out on the pain of living with the disorder and the misinformation about mental illness in American culture.
Simon charmed and humored everyone with her stories, despite their emotional content.
"I had grandiose thoughts which are typical with mania," she said. "I was in Paris at one point and thought I was the CIA's 'most wanted cat.' "
Simon said many people with bipolar disorder tend to buy a lot of things.
"Like my grandfather bought boats and property," she said. "Maybe it was because I didn't have a lot of money, but I bought vegetables."
After receiving treatment for her disorder and graduating from Columbia University in 1998, Simon said she worked at the Flea Theater in Tribeca, N.Y. were she produced and promoted more than 14 productions and 50 concerts.
"I looked normal, better than normal," she said.
Simon said The New York Times published a profile on the theater she worked for and her picture was on the front page of the Arts section.
"When the Times article came out I sort of realized I had other work to do," she said. "I had reconciling questions I still needed answered."
It was at that point Simon decided to write a book about traveling around the country interviewing other people with bipolar disorder. Her book "DETOUR: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D," published in 2002, serves as inspiration for those coping with the hardships of the mental illness.
"I wanted to find successful role models and share their stories," Simon said. "I wanted to make the very book that my family and I would have benefited from."
As the author of "DETOUR," she has traveled across the United States and appeared on many prominent TV, newspaper, magazine, radio and Web outlets including CNN, ABC News, The Jane Pauley Show, ,The Village Voice, National Public Radio, CBS Radio and Nylon magazine.
Simon also worked as a consultant and field producer on an award winning one-hour DETOUR-inspired documentary for MTV, "True Life: I'm Bipolar."
"Of the many things I'm good at, I think honestly being in a healthy relationship is my biggest accomplishment," Simon said. "It was something I was afraid I'd never have."
Throughout her experiences with Bipolar Disorder, Simon said she has been able to stay positive and not lose faith.
"I experienced periods where I lost hope, but I have a lot of support through family and friends," she said. "The most important thing is don't ever give up, get some support, find people who get it and take it one day at a time."
Robert D. Marceluk, president of New Directions, said he feels it is necessary to provide support and education to people with mood disorders on campus.
"Lizzie is great because she relates to a young audience," Marceluk said. "We wanted to have someone talk who was young and vibrant to get the message that it's ok. Also, to see someone successful who has dealt with the mental illness takes away the stigma."
Senior Kendall McDowell, founder of the chapter of Active Minds at the university, also suffers with the disorder and is determined to promote awareness on campus.
"Drew's story is heartbreaking and not only that, but it's so real to me," McDowell said. "I survived and well, if I survived, then I better speak for every other person who didn't."
At 26, she said she deals with the stress of bipolar disorder on a daily basis. Her passion for educating others on the illness has encouraged more exposure for Active Minds and brought Simon to the university.
"I feel blessed to have Lizzie come here and speak," McDowell said. "She gives a voice to people who can't speak."
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