September 30, 2019

Meet Christopher Stepien of none in none

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Stepien.

Christopher, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I always wanted to share my story

From 6th grade looking at Map of the US and Canada and wanted to travel all those roads, I drove 49 states 5 Canada Province.

1992 didn’t know if graduation until 2 days before, down to final History exam, I was all set to go to County College of Morris, but a week after graduation got a speeding ticket which suspended my license for 90 days,

I joined the Navy 16 days later.

I got set back 3 weeks while in boot camp because of failure of tests, could loose my MS A school, Navy Cook School.

Grateful Graduated, Served in the US Navy.

Got Out.

Mid 20s Bipolar Disorder, was hospitalized in many psych wards 15 days out, I wanted to be back in California, so I drove on I 80 west from NJ.

My car slid off-road in Iowa City,

Grateful for the help I was given.

College kid at hotel let me stay extra 2 nights, I cleaned rooms

Homeless shelter got me an apt

I put my car up, had to come up with rent by end of the month 200. I lasted 3 months there, working different jobs

Picking up cans too

Iowa State Trooper gave me 10 dollars Salvation army gas Voucher, 1995, ran out of gas on I 80

Homeless in Denver Denver Cop gave me 10 dollars out of his wallet

A lady at 7 11 gave me a job

A guy in white van brought me hot chipped beef.

Grateful for all.

Last time I flew in plane was from Denver to NJ,

I was in NJ Pych Mental Institution for 1 year.

A group home, then a rooming house

Then I finally got section 8

NJ Governor Christine Todd Whitman move cases like mine up on list.

I stayed in apt in Hackensack NJ 10

Still, have Bipolar, no friends loneliness

Walked GW bridge a lot, wanted to jump but grateful I didn’t, I choose to pass away by a heart attack, all I ate was Tgif potato skins and in 05 I had a 100 blockage attack.

I had a stent in my heart, it 05, it recently closed up, I currently have a new stent in the same spot.

Rough times, got through.

Moved to San Diego CA

Disabled Veteran Bipolar

Treatment at La Jolla VA is fantastic.

I met a lovely lady at a Mentally ill support group. We have been married for over 5 years since 7+7=14.

Lifes been great.

Yes, shes also Mentally ill.

I recently had to go through a Medication change from Lithium to Depakote, on the outside, not in the psych ward, so I was Manic, it was tough getting stuff done, and business not realizing the whole story.

My wife is doing well and better and so am I. I recently got my meds increase.

Ok, I just wanted to give you a summary.

I’m just very grateful for you to reach out to me.

Seriously I am. I know it won’t be this rambling but anything, much appreciated

Has it been a smooth road?

Struggle with 2 Suicide attempt in past. 1 in 1994. Bought over the counter sleeping pills and one bottle of Snapple hoping the cashier would say stop. I thought that was the last human contact I was going to have. I drove down isolated NJ dirt road and as I shut the no release truck something said to me that this is final.

Heart Attack by Tgif potato skins. I ate those things 3 meals a day for months. Bang 100 percent blockage heart attack 2005. Have a Stent, which closed recently, put a new one in the same spot. I’m Grateful I’m Alive.

We’d love to hear more about your business.

I do not have a business.

I take photos on my phone and post it to Instagram.

It gets me out.

I have a lovely wife and wonderful friends here in San Diego CA. That for 20 years I never had in New Jersey.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?

It’s been my dream to come back to San Diego since 1994.

Living my dream.

My outlook on life is this.

Stay healthy, I quit smoking

Dec.31 2014.

Me and my wife walk everywhere together. We love walking Pacific Beach boardwalk and Mission Beach.