Suzi: A Life of Suffering and Triumphs

This is a love story. It celebrates the power of hope, dedication and victory over multiple adversities and survival from early childhood incest. Suzi, my wife and best friend, endured a half-century of mental disorders and physical illnesses that threatened to defeat her through repeated attempts at suicide. But, they did not defeat her. She eventually triumphed over them. This book explains, in her own words, how she did that...and her many subsequent accomplishments. Her last two decades of life, although encumbered by relentlessly progressive Parkinson's disease, proved her happiest. She found peace in life.
Her endeavors at self-destruction were not motivated by a desire to die. She wanted peace...release from suffering. She believed that tranquility could be achieved only through death. Her mental maladies included Bulimia, Obsessive/Compulsive, Dissociative (Multiple Personality), Depression, Bipolar and Personality disorders, while her physical illnesses included Hypo-Thyroidism, Endometriosis and the need for several organ surgeries.
Neither I, nor friends and family, were at first aware of Suzi's mental ailments. She lived a secret life designed to protect her from anticipated rejection by her loved ones if they discovered the truth. She lied to survive. And, she did it convincingly. Throughout this turmoil, Suzi succeeded as wife, mother, grandmother, professional, friend and caregiver.
Suzi defeated every one of the disorders by age fifty-three, in the 1993. She enrolled as a student in Santa Barbara's Antioch University; earning, within five years her bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in organizational management. She never received less than an "A equivalent" grade during that time. Suzi was offered a faculty position upon graduation, but, Parkinson's attacked that same year, forcing her retirement.
This book builds upon the foundation of searing and honest papers that Suzi wrote about her afflictions; including all comments by her professors. Several of her academic papers are also included, attesting to her proven superb scholarship. Suzi inspired many suffering people during her lifetime. She will continue to do so through this testament.