Audley Enough: A Portrait of Triumph
and Recovery in the Face of Mania and Depression
by Lesley Whyte Reford &
Patricia Lavoie
GENRE: Non-fiction, Biography/Memoir
BLURB:
Audley
Enough follows Audley's journey through "The Matrix," specifically
his mental health. The book describes his adventures into his mania and
depression that occurred during the peak employment years of his life, from 27
to 38 years old. It takes one through the spiritual essence of his being, and
gives one steps to travel through mania and depression. After reading his book,
one comes out stronger with multiple coping tools. The book is about Audley
refusing to let his bipolar diagnosis define him, nor stop him from leading a
mentally, healthy, and productive life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPTS:
While interviewing Audley for this book, I was fascinated to
learn from him just what a “mad” manic state was like from his point of view.
He described it as a state of exhilaration; extreme high energy; racing
thoughts; exaggerated self-confidence where there are no boundaries; and, a
feeling of immortality. As Audley says, “You feel dangerously good.” For him,
it had the semblance of a religious experience in which he had a surreal
feeling of grandiosity. Audley recalls manic periods when he honestly believed
he was “the chosen one” or a “Jesus-like figure.” This is apparently a common
delusional state which some bipolar patients can reach, believing they are in
this world to have a unique influence on mankind. (In hindsight, Audley laughs
that when he went to the psychiatric hospital and was introduced to other
bipolar “Jesus-like” figures, he was rather put off that he wasn’t the only
“chosen one.”) At one point, Audley also believed he was an Egyptian pharaoh
and completely transformed his appearance to reflect his manic mindset. Another
episode brought him into practicing the Jewish faith. Despite the overwhelming
rush that these periods provided for him, Audley would soon realize that he would
have to sacrifice these “feel-good” euphoric feelings in order to live a normal
and stable life. Fortunately, after returning to his medication, these
delusional phases were eventually brought under control.
For Audley, however, the tradeoff of the mania for stability
always came with a steep price. The descent from a manic state often makes
sufferers lethargic and bored. As Audley states, “It kills your creativity.”
Audley says he experienced weight gain from the medication, tremors, and a
blank dead-like stare in his eyes. Naturally, for many bipolar sufferers, the
lure to the manic state is far more appealing and so many return to their
dysfunctional state by stopping their medications. The cyclical nature of the
illness is one of its biggest challenges.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Audley Coley is
a mental health coach, a philanthropist, the subject of a book and a Friend of
the Bell Let’s Talk campaign. He is often
called upon to host forums on mental health awareness and was more recently
seen on CBC’s You Can’t Ask That describing his life with bipolar disorder and
on Facebook, hosting the live broadcast to the Alianait Arts Festival for the
Nunavut community alongside his lovely daughter.
His ability to
soar above mental illness is something he credits to many things. His support
system: a strong Jamaican, God-fearing, and closely knit family, first. Sports
and physical activity come in at a close second. Audley has always been
extremely active. He played hockey, soccer and was a dancer/choreographer, most
of his life. At the fine age of 62, he can be found at the Atwater Club
teaching a class that could put people half his age to shame. Just ask his
Yummy Mummies who subscribe to his workouts and carefully crafted playlist. And
then, it’s about food for Audley. He perfected his culinary skills working as a
chef in Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit) and today, cooking is truly his labour of love.
He takes his vitamins (his medication) regularly and frequently visits to Up
House, a place where he goes to get centered and to give back to those who once
gave to him. The last and perhaps most important box he checks off on his
self-care list is REST.
Audley’s
objective is to tell his story often so people may recognize themselves, to
provide hope for families of those affected, to share a recipe for success that
he knows works and to have the opportunity to change someone’s life in the same
way that Patty Duke’s openness changed his.
ABOUT THE
AUTHORS
LESLEY WHYTE
REFORD is a seasoned writer who has a passion for communications and
storytelling. She obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA)
from Queen’s University in 1993 and went on to build her career in Corporate
Communications and Public Relations in the public, private, and non-profit
sectors. As she raised her two sons, Lesley put her career on hold but
continued with her writing when time allowed. Engaging in small contract
freelance opportunities and volunteer work, Lesley published a centennial book
commemorating the Montreal Children’s Hospital’s contribution to the Montreal
community titled “100 Years of Stories” in 2004. In 2013, she collaborated with
Audley Coley to author “Audley Enough”, an inspiring resource to share his
journey with bipolar disorder and help combat the stigma of mental health
issues. Lesley is currently a full-time grant writer at One Tree Planted, Inc.,
a global reforestation non-profit organization.
PATRICIA LAVOIE
has been writing and producing feature films and television series for many
years including seventeen seasons with Sesame Street (CBC) in Canada where she
honed her pre-school expertise. She developed the original concept for and
produced the first Heritage Minutes, a multi-million dollar television and
cinema project based on anecdotes of Canadian history, as well as many
award-winning preschool and family productions for broadcasters such as CBC,
Radio-Canada, YTV, Treehouse, Animal Planet, TVOntario, TFO, Télé-Québec,
Discovery Channel USA and PBS.
Ms. Lavoie also
co-produced several feature length films with international partners in
Australia, New Zealand, France, Japan and the USA. Her online game productions
were created for PBS, National Geographic, CBC, Radio-Canada and Treehouse.
As a
broadcaster, Ms. Lavoie also served as interim Director of Yoopa, a
multiplatform brand comprised of a television channel, an online community for
children and parents and a magazine for parents.
Audley Enough
is her third book.
CONNECT WITH
AUDLEY COLEY
WEBSITE -
Audley Coley (audleyenoughbook.com)
FACEBOOK -
Audley Coley | Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/Audley-Coley-105730245370234
INSTAGRAM -
Audley Coley (@audleycoley) • Instagram photos and videos :
https://www.instagram.com/audleycoley
TWITTER -
Audley Coley (@audley_coley) / Twitter :
https://twitter.com/audley_coley
GOODREADS -
Audley Coley (audleycoley) - Montreal, QC, Canada (15 books) | Goodreads :
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/147728134-audley-coley
LINKEDIN -
Audley Coley - Motivational and Keynote Speaker on Mental Health & Wellness
- Audley Coley | LinkedIn :
https://www.linkedin.com/in/audleycoley/
PURCHASE LINKS
AUDLEY ENOUGH
AMAZON.COM -
https://amazon.com/dp/022887128X
AMAZON.CA -
https://amazon.com/dp/022887128X
AMAZON KINDLE -
https://amazon.com/dp/B09PGRX8PW
INDIGO CHAPTERS
- https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/audley-enough-a-portrait-of/9780228871286-item.html
BARNES &
NOBLE -
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/audley-enough-lesley-whyte-reford/1140837677
BOOK DEPOSITORY
- https://www.bookdepository.com/Audley-Enough-Lesley-Whyte-Reford-Patricia-Lavoie/9780228871286
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lesley Whyte Reford & Patricia
Lavoie will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via
rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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