How do we find meaning in the unthinkable and incomprehensible?
Hi! I’m Mindy.
In the last ten years, I have thought about my schizophrenia and wrote it all down.
(It took me a while but I did it!)
Now I can share with you my unthinkable, incomprehensible, and incredible experience with schizophrenia in my latest book, Becoming Whole, A Memoir.
In the last couple of years, I have blogged about my experience with being single and online dating, and it’s definitely been bittersweet.
All I can say is that…
It is possible to take the reins of your life with schizophrenia
Writing about what I knew…
(my life passion!)
Since I could write, for years growing up, I wrote for myself. Every night before I went to bed, I wrote in my diary thinking that I was keeping secrets. I wrote about family and friendships, tiny crushes and fights, moving to America, and going to college. I always had something on my mind.
Then I tried to write about schizophrenia.
I did not know how at first and it was not unlike in movies. My thoughts were so jumbled up, I made lists. Then I shared my notes with my friends because I wanted them to know about my experience. This was part of me.
One day, after reading yet another memoir, I thought to myself, I had something to say too! It might help others. I thought, “I want to show you what it was like! You decide what you would do if you were me!”
I am very aware that not everyone who has schizophrenia ends up as lucky as I am and can write about their stories. I am privileged to be able to tell my story, I should, even if it’s just one voice in this world of 7.5 billion people.
I was not an English major and don’t have an MFA.
I just have a passion and desire for reading and scribbling things down. I take small steps each day to read and write. I learned authors before me from their books on writing. For my memoir, my debut book, I must have iterated on it more than ten times working with various editors over the last ten years or so. Now that it’s completed, I am starting on a second book project.
I will continue to tell stories and find deeper meaning in our lives.
Here’s my “American Dream” story…
I was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and moved to New York City when I was a fourteen. I did not know any English at the time but was welcomed by everyone at Booker T Washington JHS 54, which was had predominantly Spanish and African American students at the time.
A group of four girls took me under their wings and I learned to speak again! The Librarian Mrs Capaldi paid extra attention to me and became a parent figure to me.
I was introduced to the suburb life when we moved to New Jersey. I went to Millburn High School, which was an excellent public school that sent most of its students to top colleges in the country. I met one of my best friends, learned how to drive, and how to fence.
My English teacher Mr. Gordon took an interest in me. I got an award from him for “A pleasure to have in class!” I was good at math and science. But I enjoyed English.
My professional background is rooted in mathematics and science. I earned degrees in electrical engineering (B.S.) and engineering management (M.Eng.) at Cornell University.
Ithaca was a beautiful city to be and for me to become an adult. I made many great friends there, got drunk for the first time, and met my first boyfriend.
After college, I have been working for software companies in the Boston area. Currently, I am a manager for the digital healthcare consultancy Medullan in Somerville, Massachusetts. I joined Medullan because it focuses specifically on digital health.
When I have free time, I love to read and write, eat around town, and spend quality time with friends.
Thank you for visiting and happy reading!