Shades

I grew up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan in a time when mental illness was profoundly stigmatized and kept well hidden. For years I knew and heard I was ‘too sensitive’, ‘too impacted’, ‘too soft’ to survive in the world. I believed I was born broken. I did all I could to ‘toughen up’, ‘fit in’, ‘to be a perfect person, wife and mother’. If I could just fake ‘normal’, keep the darkness hidden, I would survive. I found my way into a career working with people with disabilities and over my many years helping those with varied disabilities, including many with my own diagnosis, I began to understand that sharing my story, my path, my journey connected me with my clients in a meaningful way. I realized that every time I told my story while sitting in my professional chair, appearing successful and ‘together’, with someone enduring the same war with their brain as I did everyday, I ripped a tiny hole in the stigma attached to mental illness These experiences brought me to the place of sharing the story of my journey more widespread in an effort to tear at the stigma of mental illness in our society. I hold a Bachelor’s degree with great distinction in Adapted Physical Activity Studies (Kinesiology) and have been awarded the YWCA Woman of Distinction award in Leadership and Management. I hold the Registered Rehabilitation Professional Certification for the Vocational Rehabilitation Society of Canada and the Certified Vocational Professional and Return to Work Disability Manager designations from the College of Vocational Professionals. I also hold certifications in the Strong Interest Inventory and Level II MBTI Assessments. I have worked with people with disabilities for over 23 years, and have sat on many high level committees in my professional role. I have spoken to small groups and large crowds alike throughout my career and am known to be an engaging and motivating speaker and wants to expand my public speaking to further eliminate the stigma attached to mental illness. I am a mother of four grown children, all married to amazing talented partners, and grandmother to eight perfect little humans that are the centre of my world. I can be contacted through my website, followed on Facebook or via email at nikkilangdonauthor@gmail.com.