FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linda Pulver
Personal Publicist
lpulver@paradigmthree.com
(415) 786-3896 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (415) 786-3896      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

San Ramon, California - At the age of five, a neighbor's intervention saved Peggy Kennedy and her four older siblings from her mother's well-meaning but misguided attempt to asphyxiate the children and, as her mother saw it, take them with her to Neverland. Kennedy's childhood was marked by shame, secrecy, and her mother's numerous hospitalizations for acute bipolar disorder. Yet regardless of her mother's transgressions, Kennedy is the first to tell you that she had a wonderful mother.

Peggy Kennedy has much to share about coming to terms with living with a parent's mental illness. And because bipolar disorder is genetic, she understands the added layer of growing up wondering, "Am I next?" But perhaps the most inspiring thing Kennedy has to share is how, when tragedy struck her family (her sister was murdered, her brother died of AIDS, and her father contracted Alzheimer's) her bipolar mother rose as a pillar of strength to help the rest of them survive and even thrive

According to current epidemiological estimates, mental disorders affect one in every five people and one in every four families. Kennedy's award winning book Approaching Neverland, A memoir of Epic Tragedy & Happily Ever After (iUniverse, 2009) explores in a touching and often humorous way how her mother's mental illness helped to create their family's unbreakable bond with unconditional love at its core. The story takes place within the larger context of evolving attitudes about mental health, sexual orientation, and the role of women in marriage and the workplace in the 1960's, 70's and 80's.

As part of an interview, Kennedy can discuss topics such as:

* Valuable lessons she learned from her mother about motherhood and life
* What it was like growing up with an acutely mentally ill parent
* What children of bipolar parents need to know in order to thrive
* How her family felt about her writing Approaching Neverland
* How organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) can help families dealing with mental illness. NAMI representatives are available to join Kennedy at interviews.

Approaching Neverland is a recent recipient of the Mom's Choice Award , which honors excellence in family-friendly books and products, and was named a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

In honor of her mother, Barbara, Kennedy is partnering with NAMI, which provides critical education to help individuals and family members gain knowledge and skills for living successfully with mental illness. She is proud to be Captain of the Approaching Neverland Team in the May 22nd NAMIWalk. Through May 31st, Kennedy will donate 20% of every sold hardcover, paperback or electronic copy of Approaching Neverland to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.