Caroline's Story

Caroline's Story

Name: Caroline M. Neal

Email address: cneal@hotmail.com

Good Site! I'm a music teacher whose family recognized a behavior problem at age 18. It was misdiagnosed in therapy, in clinic, by psychologists and finally I went back to high school depressed. I studied piano since age 8 and up to age 16, I competed, played in recitals, accompanied instrumentalists and singers. After my second attempt at college, I graduated with a B.F.A. in piano performance and certified in music education K-12. I taught in schools, churches, studios, and privately for many years, not staying for long, usually a year at one job. Then, I earned a masters in reading after music burnout. I again taught in private and public schools general music and played in church the piano and organ. After my last job was cut, I decided to earn a masters of music in organ. After teaching, practicing, coaching, and playing day in and day out; I realized that my family needed fixing. I worked with my husband, who drank and a daughter who needed more of ! my time. When he and I went to a psychologist, I said, "I think that I might be bipolar, not knowing what it really meant". So, after twenty years of dealing with what turned out as "God's gift to me", I saw a psychiatrist. After medication, I slowly was lifted from depression and saw a "blue flower" for the first time and tasted a real "turkey sandwich". Through all this, I attended graduate school and have maintained my own with the help and understanding of an outstanding organ instructor. My most fulfilling job is coaching volunteer musicians to deal with their lives through music and teaching other a tool they'll use the rest of their lives. God has blessed me ten-fold. For years, I have expressed my feelings through visual art and poetry. Now, I want to focus my attention on the connection between music and bipolarity to help others deal with their unique "gift". Thank you for letting me express myself.

The information provided by this web site is primarily based on TattyLou's own opinions and conclusions. TattyLou is not a health care professional and does not wish to be confused as one.

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My Mental Trampoline - Manitoba, Canada