When I was young, my mom shared her dream of writing a book titled "The Other Side of the Straight Jacket," which aimed to explore mental illness from the perspective of the patient. Drawing from her experiences as a psychiatric nurse, she possessed a distinctive insight into the intricacies of the minds of those grappling with mental health challenges. She aspired to foster greater compassion and understanding toward individuals facing such struggles. 

 

Following her passing, I was consumed by thoughts of this yet-to-be-written book. Contemplating how a seemingly ordinary event, like a fender bender, had reshaped the course of her life, ultimately leading to mental illness and her eventual death, I couldn't escape the feeling that this book was destined to serve as a testament to her unique experiences.