What is this "normal life" of which you speak?

Seriously, I'm not sure there is such a thing, at least not for us. I think the best we can do is stay on top of our meds and therapy so we can make our lives work. Many people with our illness hold jobs, maintain relationships, raise kids, volunteer in the community and so on. Some of us can't, and that's "normal" for us. Even in a diminished capacity, those of us who can't work and be "productive" may be able to create a fulfilling life for ourselves if we work at it. I like to think I've done so with my own life; yes, I live with my son, but I'm like the elder stateswoman of the house and I get to dispense wisdom on my good days, and hide away in my room on my bad ones if I so choose. It's not the life I dreamed of or the life I lived when I wasn't so worn down by my illness. But it's a life, and not a bad one at that.