For over 20 years I have suffered from Bipolar. My life in no way went in the direction that I had wanted it to. And being fully service connected disabled I have an abundance of empty time throughout the day on my hands. I lost my purpose and I have no direction. But I do have my weekly D&D game that I run to spend the week looking forward to.
Few understand how mixed my feeling are towards my weekly game. It is a mixture of anticipation and excitement with equal portions of dread and fear. In the hours leading up to each game I feverishly try and think of any excuse I could use to cancel the night’s game. I have to actively fight my mind as the minutes tick by. I do everything I can to keep my positive higher than the dread. This fight goes on up to the literal last minute before I sign online in our Discord room.
Other than getting my kids each week, this game is the only regular event in my life and often is my only time that I am socializing with others that week. The game gives me reason to spend the time required to prepare for each session. And no matter how much dread I experience before the game starts, I know that afterwards I would reap the benefits of fellowship and using my brain to run the game. I feel a small victory over the anxiety that is trying to keep me alone.
Over the years there has been some very dark days and it was the brothers and sisters I found on the server that helped me rally and overcome my depression last winter. I have found nothing but understanding and support in the Dungeons & Dog Tags community.
I find how amazing it is that the organization that I created for our Veterans and Active Duty personnel ended up saving me.
Dungeons & Dog Tags 