Hello! I’m Chrissy Drake, and I live in the center of Colorado in a beautiful, mountain town with my family of four. Grateful for this wonderful, challenging and adventurous life is how I feel. I’ll share the story of my own journey with illness and my near-death experience……

My life was threatened by a mental illness in 2015. In a 1.5 year span I was hospitalized 3 times. After the first hospitalization, I didn’t believe the diagnosis, for I had not had any related symptoms in my 33 years of life. I was about 5 months post-partum, and I thought the psychosis I experienced was some type of spiritual experience. The medication I was given had difficult side effects and so I stopped taking it. However, 5 months later, I had another episode. This time, I saw another psychiatrist for a second opinion. He thought I was misdiagnosed the first time. After seeing him for 6 months and taking a maintenance medication, he recommended I stop taking the medication. Again, 5 months later, I had another episode. This time was the most serious and in a state of severe psychosis, it almost took my life. But thanks be to God, that’s not the end of my story!

After the 3rd episode, when I came home from a one-week stay in a hospital, my community (family, friends, church, and co-workers), showered me with love. My husband and 2 children were supported as well. Many people had been praying for my family and me. I didn’t feel judgment or rejection from them. I told my church pastor, that I didn’t know how to go on from this, or face people. He replied, “Would you say that if you had just had a heart-attack? It’s no different. It’s an illness that you will manage, and do the things needed to get better.” I agreed and was willing to do whatever it took to experience a high level of wellness.

Spiritually, I grew up in a Christian, faith-based home, with a biblical worldview. My stepdad is a pastor. My personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ began when I was 6 years old. I have always wanted and tried to follow Him as Lord of my life. Right before the 1st episode, I was having an especially unique time of surrender and trust in my Lord. After each episode it felt like I was completely starting life over, a clean slate, and I needed to find what is true. My stepdad suggested I start with believing that I am loved. He is so right. The truest thing about me is I am loved.

The diagnosis of an illness is not an identity. It’s simply a tool to categorize a set of symptoms experienced. I accepted educating myself and managing this condition, as something that is part of this life. I’ve processed through forgiving myself and receiving help from others. Learning about caring for my body, soul and spirit and how they are integrated, was critical to my wellness. I’ve rarely had ANY symptoms over the last 8+ years as I practice my personal holistic wellness.

Now, I advocate for HOPE IN DARK PLACES for others, no matter the challenges. A diagnosis does not own the person challenged with the symptoms of mental illness, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, etc.

Since I have been given comfort/strength/encouragement in my afflictions, my passion is to give comfort/strength/encouragement to others when they are troubled. My inspiration comes from a verse in the Bible about this, found in 2 Corinthians 1:4.

We are truly whole people and my hope for others is: “I pray that God, who gives peace will make you completely holy. And may your WHOLE SPIRIT, SOUL, and BODY be kept healthy and faultless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, contemporary English version bible)