Saturday, October 10, 2026 · 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Murray Conference Room — 35 Shattuck St., Littleton, MA
In this talk, author Deborah Francis will read excerpts from her book, Discomfort in the Manic Mind, and discuss her history of living with bipolar disorder. Deb has vast experience in eloquently presenting her story, intimate details of her journey from acceptance to her challenging dark days, her treatment, and coping skills that often lead to audience members responding, “I never would have known she has a mental illness.” Her life story of challenge and inspirational successes opened the minds of all who witnessed her presentations to realize hope is real and recovery is possible. A critical message we all need to recognize that ultimately breaks down the walls of stigma and normalizes mental illness as a medical condition: Deb is not “bipolar.” She has bipolar. She journeys with it, just as someone is not “cancer.” Her insights inspired many to engage in public speaking, greatly empowering their recovery journeys. She witnessed the depth of her own self-development and the realization of her recovery through this process. All of this has culminated in her newly written memoir, Discomfort in the Manic Mind. In this work, she poetically invites readers to experience the…