What I Do
My purpose is to give people hope. I will do this through three avenues. I will first focus on my recovery story of how I thrive with schizophrenia through my practice of Nichiren Buddhism and chanting nam myoho renge kyo. Then I will create stories featuring my original character Sophia the Spider. In addition I will share information about the environment that is accessible to everyone.
About Me
I am a survivor of schizo-affective disorder which is a type of schizophrenia that includes a mood component. I was diagnosed at the age of 27 while I was living and working in New York City. When I was first diagnosed I was devastated and thought my life was over. In one fell swoop, I lost my independence, my career and my relationship. My boyfriend left me after I had my mental breakdown. I was crushed and it took me a long time to get over it. Then I had the fortune to meet Gordon Frazier who introduced me to the practice of Nichiren Buddhism with the SGI-USA. Encountering this practice at the age of 31, I finally began to feel hope again.
Currently, I am happily married to Bill Smythe and we reside in the Elmwood Village. Bill and I have been married for over twenty years.