BACK OF THE BOOK: Slowly I slid to the floor as I watched the policeman buckle my children into the backseat of his police car, close the door and drive away. The knock on my door had startled me as I had not been expecting anyone. As I lay on the floor contemplating taking every pill in the bottles strewn across my bathoom countertop. I opened my eyes and surveyed the disaster before me. How had this happened? Slowly getting to my feet I found the bag of unopened trash bags and sat down amidst the piles of dirty clothes, trash and dog poop. I had to at least try. It took me eight days to clean the house and get my kids back. Now my home is clean, and my children are grown. This one instance started me on the road to recovery, from victim to victory. I am not a doctor, I am a survivor of mental illness! This is my journey from my diagnosis with bipolar disorder and depression, and psychiatric wards. I had to work within the court system to get my kids back. I also worked with Children Youth and Families and to learn how to keep my house clean, pay my bills on time and become a stable, productive member of society. This is my journey of hope!