And that’s when everything began to go dark.
Beset by chronic pain, Phillip soon found himself battling the crippling effects of clinical depression. He suffered for years, even attempting suicide before he found his way out of the darkness at last.
Told in their own voices, this is the true story of a couple who endured the ravages of clinical depression together, and emerged stronger and more in love than before. It is the story of Phillip, whose family had a history of the illness, and of Emme, who put her blossoming career on hold to care for him and remained by his side even when their world seemed to be falling apart.
But most of all, it is a story of hope for those who suffer from clinical depression, as well as for their loved ones. For in the darkest of days, Emme and Phillip found that even the smallest amount of light can illuminate the road to recovery-and the joy in life.
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19 February 2007
Jumping Rope Again!
Yesterday was the first day I jumped rope in over a year due to an ankle injury of July 10, 2006. I crashed a Vespa Motor Scooter and wound up breaking my ankle pretty badly. I wound up having a bone graph, plate, seven screws and two pins. Then I contracted an infection which got so bad I almost lost my leg and was on crutches for over eight months. So, here I am, jumping rope and as the rope is swishing underneath my feet I thought how lucky I am to be able to use my ankle. But more so, I reflected on my almost 3 year depression and how I used to think about using my jump rope to hang myself! Now, I'm using my jump rope to increase my stamina, strength, balance and hand and eye coordination. Next Month I'll be teaching a jump rope class at two local gyms. I downloaded some great 80's Rocking'&Roll and I'm ready to jump again! It's interesting how we can take things for granted. We never really miss something until we don't have it. Well, I have my leg and I'm thankful that it's functioning to it's potential!
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"This book can help those directly and indirectly touched by depression. It is not only for the survivors but also for their family, friends and loved ones."
Montel Williams
Testimonials
"I was so inspired by this story of love, courage, and steadfastness which came shining through the struggle of Emme and Phil and their family. Clinical depression is such an insidious, potentially life-threatening illness, and Emme's and Phil's courageous and honest willingness to share their story can help and encourage many millions of couples and families. It is an astonishingly candid and clear description of the suffering felt by both people when depression is present in a relationship. They persevered through many different treatments and allow us to feel not only their moments of despair and anguish, but more important their hope, joy, and love for each other. This is a story of triumph of the human spirit, and it is an illuminating window into the reality of day-to-day dealing with the illness that is depression."
Tipper Gore
"Feeling alone, overwhelmed, and hopeless, depression has the capacity for seemingly snatching up your very life. Emme and Phil were partners in this dark, frightening world, but courageously they managed to return to the light. Theirs was a journey through the very portals of hell, one that ultimately affirms something that anyone who struggles with depression needs to know—depression isn’t a dead end. It just feels that way. This couple’s story is one of pain, power, perseverance and love. This is truly a story of hope."
Dr. Joseph J. Luciani
Author, Self Coaching: How to Heal Anxiety and Depression
AOL Coaches
Emme and Phil are contributors to the AOL® Coaches program. Click here to find out more.
1 comment
Alan
Feb 01 2008 at 02:45 AM
Phil,
Congratulations on beating Depression! I've been on a relatively mild anti-depressant for many years. It's actually the only one that still allows for functioning in another important area of life.
I heard that what led you into depression, was a horrible pain in your groin area. Did doctors ever discover the cause of this pain? I also had a terrible pain in that area a few years ago. I was given an MRI, but nothing was learned from it. Eventually, the pain just dissapeared on its' own.
Good luck, Alan