Ballasted Wings: Why That Day?

By Susan Knox Kopta

Ballasted Wings: A Cautionary Bipolar Tale is a warning of what may happen when medications are not stabilized, life style changes are not accepted and self-care is not prioritized. This penetrating narrative takes us on co-existing mother daughter journeys. It is sure to pierce your heart. Alexis soared. She achieved, achieved, achieved then crashed on broken wings. Alexis was diagnosed weeks before her 2006 college graduation: Bipolar I with rapid cycling. Alexis’s diagnosis was before the dawning of social media. She and her mother had very little information, few resources and scarce support. Alexis seeks ballast but finds it not. Rather, she is confined, not once, but three times to inpatient psychiatric care. On medical leave from college, in a medicated haze, her thinking clouded, she veers dangerously off track. Her situation, perilous. Thrust into Alexis’s world, you feel her pain, disconnection, desire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781483429519

Book preview

BALLASTED

WINGS

Why That Day?

SUSAN KNOX KOPTA

Copyright © 2019 Susan Knox Kopta

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2952-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-2951-9 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Image 1 was edited by Elizabeth Ming Cooper, emcooperfineart.com

Image 3 is by Bonnie Vculek, facebook.com/bonnie.vculek

Columbia Daily Spectator, Volume CXXX, Number 59, 19 April 2006: BC Senior Killed in Car Wreck: Alexis ‘Lexie’ Knox, 22, was a Well-Known Campus Face by Kira Goldenberg (Chapter 27, p. 107) was reproduced with permission from Spectator Publishing, Co.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 01/13/2020

Disclaimer, Warnings & Resources

DISCLAIMER: Ballasted Wings: Why That Day? is based primarily on facts. However, my recall is not entirely clear. Nor was I privy to many conversations. Some names, places and descriptions are changed to protect privacy. Statements made regarding bipolar and suicide reflect my observations, interpretations and lay opinions. Alexis’s bipolar events largely occurred in late 2005 through early 2006 and reflect circumstances of that time.

WARNING: This book is not intended as a substitute for medical or other professional advice. Consult qualified professionals, including your treating physician/psychiatrist and other licensed medical care professionals for mental and physical health matters.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book addresses topics some may find disturbing including suicide. If you have suicidal ideations, are suicidal or prone to suicide in any way, do not read this book as it could be a trigger.

SUICIDE PREVENTION: If you are in suicide crisis, call 911 and/or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 (TALK).

BIPOLAR RESOURCES: If you need a hub for bipolar resources including supplemental suicide prevention resources see BipolarLinks.com, created by the author.

Image%201%20AlexisRose.jpg

Alexis

Reading Time

Approximately Fifty-five Minutes

Dedicate

d to

Alexis Geneva Knox

Image%202%20angel%20wings.jpg