Saturday, September 6, 2014

Courage vs. Depression

Thank you to Debra Bowen, California Secretary of State, for coming out of the closet about her depression.

Like many others, she has missed a few days of work now and then because of this illness.

Unlike many others, she is now speaking about it publicly.

The death of Robin Williams prompted her to be more open about this problem, as reported by Patrick McGreevy in today's Los Angeles Times.

http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-pol-debra-bowen-20140906-story.html

I voted for Bowen in the last election, and I admire her courage.  She is a recovering alcoholic, sober since 1995, and later recovered from an addiction to prescription pain medication.

A representative in the State Legislature for many years, representing Marina del Rey and nearby communities, she was reelected Secretary of State in 2010 and works from home when she can't get into the office.

Her work involves enforcing election laws, printing ballot pamphlets, and monitoring campaign spending.

Another touching part of her story: she decided many years ago not to have children, lest they inherit a tendency to the debilitating illness she has faced.










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