Melissa Brown-Collins

Hello, my name is Melissa Brown, i am the author of "a drop in the bucket." I published this book in 2005. I was inspired to write by then therapist Sean Condon PhD. I first started writing in a journal then i would share what i wrote with him and he told me that i needed to do something with it. So i published " a drop in the bucket" based on my experiences living with mental illness, primarily schizo-affective bipolar type. It has been a difficult road to travel these past 36 years. My life has been filled with tragedy including a rape at the age of 9 and numerous suicidal attempts over the past 15 years. I am now 36 years old. I at one time set myself on fire with gasoline and matches so i have scars all over my body. 35% of my body is covered with scars and i have a Vena Cava filter to prevent blood clots from going to my lungs. I am also one of Jehovah's Witnesse's and i treasure my relationship with my Creator. He is my best friend and i love him and speak about him to everyone who gives me the opportunity. I came from a family that did not show love and being one of Jehovah's Witnesse's i am shown a lot of love by my spiritual Brothers and Sisters. You can find more about me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Meetup.com. The reason i wasn't promoting the book for the past 5 years was because of numerous hospital stays, over 20 times and the passing of my mother in 2007. I was also ashamed of my illness because it is so stigmatized in society. But i have come a long way and will keep going. I am working on two more books, another book of poetry and a novel based on my life story. In the short 36 years of my life, i have much to tell and many experiences to share. I hope this book will eventually develop a different, balanced viewpoint of people with mental illness. That is my goal for this book, to make people aware that even though we were ashamed of our illness, we can rise above and do what no other has done before. I hope with this book, you all will look at us differently and with compassion and love in your hearts because we deserve love too. Thanks and Kind Regards