Fast Forward to October 2016 - The Facebook Disclosure
October 6, 2015
It’s now been one year since my first journal entry. I felt like it was now or never. That night, I told Courtney I was ready to do it and then sent her this email:
Reid Murtaugh Thu, Oct 6, 2016 at 7:43 PM
To: Courtney Murtaugh
“I know it is scary but it will be done and will pass soon. It is only as big as we let it be. It helps me to think about the future. You may feel panic or discomfort now but that will be forgotten soon.”
Later that night, right before I went to bed, I posted it on Facebook, turned off my phone and went to bed.
Here is what I posted on Facebook at 10:32 PM:
“This week is mental health awareness week. We all know someone--a friend, family member, co-worker, neighbor, or maybe our self--who battles mental illness. There is not shame in this. It has taken me a long time to reach this point, but I am ready to publicly say...
I'm bipolar.
On a personal level, I decided to share this because it will be therapeutic for me. It feels good to share this publicly.
But there was a lot to think about. I have been very fortunate to have loving support from my wife, family, and friends. I had to think about the future of my family. My career. My reputation.
On a broader level, I decided to share this because there still is a stigma. I am a successful, motivated, loving husband, father, son, and friend with a nasty disease. I have reached a point in my life where I feel called to take this on.
We all can do something in our own way to show love and support. Let's fight the stigma with love.”
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