Over the years I’ve collected many friends and acquaintances, some have fallen by the wayside, others have become life-long, but one has remained a constant source of support and inspiration for the last 59 years.
I’ve known Shay since I was an infant. We attended the same nursery in Moss Side, went to the same infant school in Chorlton and then onto grammar school in Prestwich.
He’s a successful businessman who worked for the same company all his working life, apart from a short stint in The City as a credit broker for the company where his Dad was MD.
He started as a distributor for a multi-level marketing company back in 1988, reached the top level and then did something that even astounded me.
He bought the company when it was failing and spent the next 20 years making it successful again.
At the time was a salesman for an IT hardware company.
I vividly remember getting a call to join him as a distributor. He wanted to share his success with me. I agreed and spent the next 2 years working closely with him.
I loved every minute and learned much about business and myself.
We still talk or exchange messages regularly, even when I’m unwell and haven’t been in touch for months, or in one case for over a year. When we reconnect it’s irrelevant to him and we pick-up like it was yesterday.
We all need friends, people who are there for us come rain or shine, there for us no matter what, when we need them.
Being bipolar is challenging for me, my family and my friends.
My wife and children have been a constant source of support and friends have been invaluable when I was both depressed and hypomanic.
If you’re struggling, reach out to that friend or family member you know will answer the call. If you don’t have one then call one of the many charities, such as The Samaritans.
If you have a bipolar diagnosis the best source of both information and support is Bipolar UK.
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