“My New Life” tells the story of a new start in life for me beginning soon after successfully recovering from schizophrenia in the early 2020s, becoming the first person with schizophrenia to bicycle across Canada in 2023 (for the second time — I bicycled across Canada in 1992 at the age of 20 shortly before getting schizophrenia at 22), and then continuing my mental health advocacy work in developing countries at www.MindAid.ca.

The first post of this series began in late 2023. I make take breaks from time to time with this series, starting a new season at the start of each year. I love writing — always have — and to prevent this becoming a chore, I will write when I want to, not because I have to.

Schizophrenia can knock you off your feet quite well, but being given the gift of a full recovery, I would like to share my journey forward as I want to use my abilities to help others, and I’d like to have others follow along with me to see what they can learn as I try to have a bigger and bigger impact and help more people.

You can achieve many more things than you believe you can, and I hope I can inspire you to go after your dreams, or to keep fighting through dark times if that’s where you’re at. You are amazing, and stay hopeful, for you never know what tomorrow may bring!

The last time we “chatted” here was in December 2023. I’ve had some things happen which switched me off into “thinkin’ mode”. The first which caused the switch was plain old — wait for it — sinus congestion. Yup…

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Matthew Dickson

Advocate for people with mental illness in developing countries at www.MindAid.ca. Bicycled across Canada twice, books, nature, fitness, learning, dancing!