I agree that one can try to make the most of the "quirks" of one's mental characteristics. This said, I don't think that one can pursue any occupation regardless of what mental illness she has. It's a matter of knowing your strengths, weaknesses, and needs so that you can specialize. My father was an excellent neurosurgeon. Still, he and my family agree that given his BP and PTSD (he saw his brother-in-law, younger brother, and cousin being murdered), he might have been better off in an occupation that offered more flexibility. Of course, you are different.

Sometimes medication can help without "robbing" you of your "gifts". A mental illness is very much a physical illness too, and requires some form of management. Sometimes, medication is overwhelmingly the best option. If you can do without, then congrats to you.