Someone asked me, “why Disciplined for Success?” Here is my answer.
In November 1984 and again in November of 1985, I had a psychotic break or nervous breakdown. After each episode, I was treated with drugs like Haldol and Cogentin to help me regain control of my mind. In February of 1986 after a manic episode which peaked on an airplane from Cleveland, Ohio to Newark, New Jersey, I was diagnosed as having manic-depression or a bipolar disorder. I was placed on lithium and underwent weekly psychotherapy for one year and monthly psychotherapy for another year. With quarterly check-ins with my psychiatrist for the next few years and annual or semi-annual check-ins for years after that, I remained on Lithium for the next 25 years except for a brief, unsuccessful attempt to transition me to the drug, Abilify. After 25 years, and no further episodes, I decided to ween myself off the Lithium altogether. With the cautious approval of my psychiatrist, I stopped taking the medication in 2009 and 10 years free of any medication, I continue to develop the habits and disciplines which I now share through Disciplined For Success, and in ministry.
My desire to help others to navigate the emotional stresses which often lead to breakdowns, break-ups, and broken people inspired me to go into the field of education in 2010 where I began as a Behavior Support Assistant in a Therapeutic Learning Center in the Durham North Carolina school system. Disciplined for Success grew out of my experiences working with youth from Kindergarten through 12th grade as a Special Education teacher, an Intervention Specialist, a Guidance Counselor, and a High School Principal. Some of those experiences, my own struggles to regain control of myself and my life, and helpful tools are detailed in my books, Humpty Dumpty Back on the Wall: From Psychosis to Sanity, (LitFire Publishing 2016), and Thugs in the Kingdom of Heaven: Calling Thugs and Saints (Green Ivy Publishing 2016).