Thursday, January 24, 2013

Hurry Down Sunshine

Michael Greenburg wrote Hurry Down Sunshine, the story of his daughter, Sally's episode of mental illness.  At age 15 a period of mania associated with a bipolar disorder, struck Sally hard and fast.  Sally thought she was a genius.   She thought everyone was a genius and living in society disables our genius and only she can bring it back.  She also thinks she has the power to stop traffic with her mind-a very dangerous thought for a 15 year old girl living in New York City.  Her father tells her story of desperately trying to connect with his psychotic daughter.  After she comes home from the hospital he even takes one of her doses of haldol, lithium, depakote and prolixin. He wants to know what she feels like with all her dopamine blocked. With all these meds in him he cannot even coordinate making a cup of coffee much less the business visitor who comes to call.  He can't hold a cup, he can't think clearly and he feels like he's padded in foam rubber.  His love for his daughter, Sally, comes through loud and clear.  At times sad, hilarious, poignant, it's basically an uplifting true story.

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