The Pain Sings a Song

About the Book

As a teen, poet Shalanda Shaw was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The difficulties of her newly realized illness were devastating, but with the help of family, therapy, and medications, she found a way to survive—although it was never simple. She quickly learned to channel her emotional agony into the written word.

The Pain Sings a Song is a seven-part poetic narrative of her journey. In parts one, two and three, Shalanda accepts her new status as someone with mental illness and says goodbye to the young woman she once was. In part four, she begs her own mind to let her change, let her heal, as she sinks further into the dark shadows of her mind.

Parts five and six iterate her need for revenge against bipolar disorder, and to channel her anger, she keeps a careful written account of what the disease has done to her. In part seven, she is not healed, but she does consider the battle won by the grace of God. We all have pain in our lives, but somehow, we must find a way to sing.

About the Author

Shalanda Shaw was born and grew up in Jamaica. Shalanda is very smart and started to attend school at the age of two years and three months. Shalanda had a fair number of friends, but at the age of twelve, she started to withdraw. She became dismal toward her siblings, though she was very protective of them. Later, it was revealed this was a symptom of bipolar disorder. Shalanda moved to the United States as a teenager, and her mother immediately sought help for her. However, for a couple of years, Shalanda avoided help through her ability to tell screeners exactly what they wanted to hear. Shalanda’s mother warned the screeners about her daughter’s tactics, but they didn’t listen. Shalanda did this because she thought mental hospitals were exactly as they depicted them in the movies. Therefore, she tried to avoid them at all costs. However, when Shalanda was sixteen, her mother mentioned that she might have bipolar disorder. Shalanda looked it up, and she could check off almost everything on the list. So Shalanda agreed to treatment. This presented a relief to Shalanda, knowing finally a label for her pain. Through the years, diagnoses changed, but two things remained constant: Shalanda stayed in school, and her bipolar disorder symptoms persisted. Shalanda graduated with an associate’s degree from a joint program at Middlesex County College and Rutgers University in the field of psychosocial rehabilitation. She also received the Outstanding Clinical Performance award from the dean. At Kean University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, summa cum laude, a testament to her academic prowess and dedication to continue her studies. She achieved honors and garnered a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Rider University, further demonstrating her commitment to leadership and professional growth.