My Story

Hi. I'm Andrea and this is my story. Two years ago, I was getting sent home from work sick. Hospitalizations followed, resulting in getting kicked out of my rented bedroom.

Houselink opened their doors, hearts and minds to me. My battle with bipolar disorder and struggle to be a trans person hasn't been easy and my own family won't even put up for me.

But I actually have several talents that I'd like the world to know about: The drums; keyboards; piano; string and reed instruments; and, most important of all, turntables.

My interest now is my music and my fashion wear, yet I also still like to dress up nice or casual. I've learned in the past eight years coping with my mental illness what triggers my emotions, upsets and highs. I know now that I need to take my meds every night. I still love my family but I realize I'm in this on my own now and with the help of Houselink.

And yes, I was born a boy, but when I was 18, I realized I was a girl. To keep that part of me quiet, I joined the army. I served for six years with the Dragoons, including a Peacekeeping stint in Somalia in 1993 and Yugoslavia in 1995. I also got to see England and Europe.

I still keep in touch with the Dragoons, hoping one day to play for them and give them the best darn show I can give them. Unfortunately right now it's just a dream like all my other dreams that I hope will eventually get accomplished.
Being bipolar sure opened new doors and brought a lot out of me. Houselink gave me the opportunity to help out landscaping, working in the kitchen, fundraising and especially working as a team player.

As a student with learning disabilities, I worked hard, got extra help, and spent summers on Air Cadet courses, finishing a Chief Warrant Officer program with a mark of 94. I also graduated high school, built a truck and worked numerous jobs.

Today, I'm well on the road to recovery.