In May of 2000, I began an 8 month, non-motorized trek from Buffalo, NY to Key West, FL.  He canoed across NY on the Erie Canal, sailed the Hudson River into New York City, hiked the Appalachian Trail to Roanoke, VA and biked to Key West, FL.  Along the way I gave presentations to over 1000 youth on the values of volunteerism and education and completed over 230 hours of community service along the way.  I studied the geology of the Eastern United States as part of his Self Designed Masters Degree.  These studies complimented my Bachelors in Earth Science, Secondary Education.
Two years later, in August 2002, I was hospitalized for a week with a major depressive episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  The next years of my life were spent learning how to live with my bipolar condition on the journey from hospitalized patient to licensed healthcare professional. Now, I'm here to share the journey and let people know they are not alone.