During my first manic episode, in 2017, I became obsessed with garbage. I saw beauty and purpose where no one else did. This picture shows the start of the compost pile I would later use to create a garbage dinner for my family, shortly before I was hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar 1. I wroteContinue reading “‘Crazy’ Prologue”
Category Archives: family
Crazy Memoir Playlist
These are the songs that made me feel something during my roller coaster of mania and depression, throughout the three year time period of my book. Click the Play button to listen on Spotify or scroll below for my songlist. Lose Yourself – Eminem Closer – Nine Inch Nails Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne LithiumContinue reading “Crazy Memoir Playlist”
Crazy Art
The art in my book, Crazy, Memoir of a Mom Gone Mad, was printed in black and white. Below is my original colourful collection. Captions explaining my mindset and the timeline are printed at the bottom of each image. Contact me with questions or to discuss. © Charise Jewell, 2017-2022
Corporate Talks
Bell Let’s Talk Day: Aecon’s Mental Health Committee invited me to discuss mental health, my personal experience living with bipolar disorder, and what we can do to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Scroll through my slides below. Contact me if you’d like my personal anecdotes and explanations, or to schedule an event. “Thank youContinue reading “Corporate Talks”
My parenting blog
In a former life I created a blog called CRUNCH compass. The name pops up in my posts now and then. It was a fun creative outlet and, in hindsight, an excellent way to hone my writing skills. The tagline was “helping to navigate you through the CRUNCH,” meaning those hard early years of parenthood.Continue reading “My parenting blog”
Top Books 2021
These are the best books I read this year. Some were rereads and some were new, but they were all ones I couldn’t stop thinking or talking about. Of course I had to include my book, it was the one I thought and talked about the most! To learn more about my memoir, click here.Continue reading “Top Books 2021”
Book Club Questions
Thank you for choosing Crazy for your book club. If you would like me to virtually attend, contact me with the details. I would love to be there. Here are some questions to consider for your book club discussion. Click the ‘Download’ button at the bottom of the list for a pdf version. Feel freeContinue reading “Book Club Questions”
Reducing stigma
I was recently asked the excellent question: what can I do to help you feel less stigma? I replied with the first thing that came to mind, but the question stayed with me. It deserved more than an off-the-cuff answer. It deserved reflection. After my standard thoughtfulness, this is what I came up with. First,Continue reading “Reducing stigma”
Don’t Call Me Crazy: a short story
This story was a birthday gift for my son, inspired by one of his mind-blowing questions. After he read it he said “This looks really pro. Like you’ve taken a course.” Thanks kid. DISCLAIMER: This story might seem to suggest that I am against medication, which is not true. There is a lot more toContinue reading “Don’t Call Me Crazy: a short story”
Crazy: Memoir of a Mom Gone Mad
When Charise Jewell decided to leave her career as a robotics engineer to pursue writing fiction, the 40-year old mother of three had no idea that she was embarking on a real life story beyond her wildest imagination. Without warning, and while preparing to celebrate Mother’s Day 2017, she rapidly descended into a severe mania,Continue reading “Crazy: Memoir of a Mom Gone Mad”
Charise Jewell 