bonuses asked this question on 4/30/2000:

I suffered with bipolar from age 11 to 35.I changes jobs alot, colleges alot, towns alot, husbands 2x, etc.At 35, I found the right medicine and had a bad ovary removed. No more more mood swings. I stay on my meds. I am married for the 3rd time and doing well. My 2 kids are doing well. I have been at a job now over 2 years. I don't like my job and want to change,but my work history stinks. When I visit my hometown to see my parents, people act like I have the plague and remind me ofmy failures. My family is still embarrassed about me. I have done well for 4 years, why want employers and people realize this and forget my past? What more can I do? Constantly someone brings up something to my kids or me. When will it end

jillyk gave this response on 5/3/2000:

Congratualtions on getting your life back in order, and fighting all this time to not let it beat you!! :o) Sweetie! you are not the one with the problem in your hometown... the people are, if your parents are ashamed of you then shame on them! (It is possible they might be feeling that it is their fault in some way that you were ill.. parents do that, and on occasions go into a form of denial). If your work history stinks it is only because of the illness you have now firmly in control. You are happy and you have a partner who is understanding and loving. There is not much you can do but keep doing little things that show the community work force that you can do the job. Get rid of the old negative work history and compile yourself a new resume and hit propective employers with a more postive curriculum vitae that will knock their socks off. Have you already asked for a reference from your current employer? Just tell them that you are updating your resume and you would like one from them as well. Also, you could ask one of the workmates you have there to write you a personal reference. People are ignorant when it comes to a mental illness. It scares them and they don't want to know. I suggest you get on with your life as it is the one you want as you are moving on and are happy. If it gets to the point where you really feel you are boxed in, ask your partner if there is a possibility to move to a town where they do not know you and you can start a fresh.. My best wishes to you both, I am really pleased you have proven everyone wrong! Way to go girl!! :o) Jill.

jillyk gave this follow-up answer on 5/3/2000:

(ps) If someone does approach your children and remind them of your 'failures' just inform your children to relay politely to these "informed numbskulls" the best information they can. This is along the lines of the following. "my mother is doing very well and we are all in the best of health, thank you for asking" and walk away. When these people realise you or your family are not going to bite the hook that is being dangled in front of them then in time they will back off. Jillyk.

The average rating for this answer is 4.

bonuses rated this answer a 4.