07/09/2025
Gen X Valley Girl on the Epic Bipolar Journey
Fueled by Mania. Clouded by Depression. Devastated by Grief. Shrouded in stigma. Beloved by Friends. Cradled by DBSA. Determined to Prevail. Please join Wendy McNeill in her conversation with colleague Amy Lombardi as she
reveals her turbulent backstory as a person with Bipolar I.
She tells a story filled with twists and turns, from early onset of Bipolar in a sheltered home, to the su***de of a devoted father, to tangles with law enforcement, to the inhumane treatment in the American health care system, to a misadventure in an asylum in England, to a narrow escape from a predator in Tijuana, to a stint in a board and care.
Ultimately, with a combination of determination, luck, medical treatment, and a loyal and supportive DBSA community, Wendy was able to find her strengths and reinvent herself in her quest for recovery.
Entering a loving, long term marriage, having rewarding careers in both education and social services, and pursuing a path of advocacy in mental health, Wendy has found meaning and purpose in a life once plagued by instability.
What you will hear in this conversation will be a story of turbulence and turmoil peppered with silver linings and a wicked sense of humor. You will find a wide cast of characters, both heroes and villains. The ride is wild, the final destination
Wendy McNeill, Executive Director of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance California, narrates her extraordinary story of resilience.