It has taken me a long time to accept my sister’s illness. The pain of losing who my sister was or could have been was enormous. But with acceptance comes the clearing of a new path forward, where treatment and recovery are realities. We are still not there, but I am grateful to be finally facing the right direction. The presence of other families like ours gives me strength. The commitment and love among family members reminds me of my own family and fills me with hope. I look forward to a day when the stigma toward people with mental health struggles will be banished, so we no longer have to spend so many of our years in shameful hiding.