Molly and Her Big Red Kite

Robert, a seasoned author with a thriving career in the corporate world as a project manager for a prominent multinational healthcare equipment corporation, resides in Buffalo, New York. Embracing his identity as an openly gay individual, Robert's journey is marked by resilience and self-discovery.

His encounter with chronic clinical depression at the tender age of 16 marked the onset of a lifelong battle, one that had silently plagued him since the age of nine when he experienced his inaugural episode of self-harm ideation. As he navigated the process of coming out, his depression evolved into bipolar depression disorder, remaining unidentified and untreated until he reached the age of 44. The untreated manic episodes manifested in the form of an anonymous sex addiction, a struggle that persisted for over two decades, even during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It wasn't until Robert candidly addressed this addiction with his therapist that his bipolar disorder finally came to light. Through the aid of pharmacological intervention and dedicated therapeutic support, he triumphed over his addiction.

Robert's forties have ushered in a phase of stability and personal growth, characterized by his passion for boating, gardening, and active community involvement with esteemed organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association. In the company of his beloved companions, Bacchus the cat and Lily the French bulldog, he cherishes the tranquil moments life offers.

Having traversed a profound therapeutic journey, Robert has cultivated the capacity to forgive others and embrace his family and friends as they are. His focus has now shifted inward, allowing him to extend forgiveness to himself for the recklessness of his past decisions. Today, he stands as a testament to success and resilience—a healthy, HIV-negative gay man thriving amidst the complexities of bipolar depression.

"I, Rob Graves" tells the personal story that illustrates the dangers of

misdiagnosis and treatment noncompliance, as the reader follows

Robert P. Graves, a gay man growing up in Buffalo, New York during the

peak of the AIDS Epidemic. Throughout the story, Graves shares the path he took in coming to terms with his homosexuality and overcoming tremendous health odds. Graves seeks to air “all his dirty laundry” - his journey through years of therapy, overcoming a sex addiction, coping with his sexuality, managing his depression and Bipolar Disorder, and medication management. Robert shares how he learned the imperative arts of forgiveness and acceptance to find success and peace with himself in a word that was unkind to him. Sharing his story fuels the movement of ending the stigma around mental health and sexuality and removing stereotypical labels.

Growing up a gay man in the midst of the AIDS Epidemic lead to the title - as Robert Graves battled through an anonymous sex addiction to self medicate during one of the riskiest times for gay men. Robert himself, “robbed graves” and cheated death, as he is HIV negative after playing Russian Roulette with his life during the AIDS Epidemic.

Written by a gay man suffering through the trauma of the peak of the

AIDS Epidemic and mental health struggles, "I, Rob Graves" encourages readers to to find their paths in dealing with mental health issues, sexuality and addiction, both in the gay community and the community at large. He hopes to provide an inspirational example for members of the LGBTQ+ community and those suffering through trauma and mental health struggles. Through his story, he shares his journey to let readers know they are not alone, they are not “diseased” or tainted, and they deserve the same love, acceptance, and forgiveness Robert has found for himself.