Christmas Fund: Debbie’s mom has always been there for her.now she wants to return the favor

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Debbie says what she did when she was 21 still reverberates in her life.

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When Debbie didn’t get the job she wanted, she attempted suicide by jumping off the second floor balcony of her mother’s house.

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“It was very difficult,” says Debbie. “Sometimes when you’re young and things go wrong, you don’t think about the consequences.”

Debbie was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

“I remember being diagnosed and thinking, ‘Why me?’ But when I’m off medication for my bipolar disorder, I do unreasonable things. But today I took medicine and I feel much better. “

Debbie says she was hospitalized for a year because of her illness and that her mother came to see her every day.

“I was very depressed because I was only thinking about myself and I didn’t know what else to do. But I was always close to my mother. She was strong and she was there for me. She came to see me every day.”

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Her mother, 88, now lives in a CHSLD long-term care facility and requires surgery. However, due to her condition, she cannot get it. And while Debbie sees her mother once a week to help take care of her, she hopes the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund can help do something for her this year.

“I don’t have a lot of income. I can only pay the rent. I can’t do anything on vacation, but I will do what I can for her,” says Debbie. “I know she loves jewelry, so maybe I’ll get her one. Her mother was a pillar of our family. I want to do something special for

how to help

This article represents the people your donation can help. Due to resource limitations and privacy restrictions, the Montreal Gazette cannot accept non-monetary contributions. Donations to the Christmas Fund can be made online at www.christmasfund.com. Please direct all inquiries to christmasfundinquiries@postmedia.com.

People struggling with mental health issues can call Info-Santé at 811. If you are considering suicide, call 911 or Suicide Action Montreal at 1-866-277-3553. See here for additional resources.