By: Elowen Gray
In a world obsessed with perfection, Walter Forbes offers a brutally honest alternative—one rooted in pain, redemption, and the hard-earned wisdom of survival. His memoir, Make Another Me: The Michael Dean Glitch, co-authored with his brother Kenneth Forbes, is not a conventional tale of triumph. It’s a raw, unfiltered narrative that dares to say the very things society tries to hide. It’s also a blueprint for those society has overlooked—those with “glitches” of their own.
Born and raised in Oak Park, Sacramento, Walter was once deeply embedded in gang life, swept up in a world of violence and incarceration. But what could have been the end of his story became the foundation of his rebirth. After serving time in prison, including in out-of-state facilities, Walter emerged with a new mission: to reclaim his mind, elevate his purpose, and become a light in the very darkness he once called home.
At the center of Make Another Me is the concept of the “Michael Dean Glitch”—a term coined by the Forbes family to describe a genetic predisposition to mental health challenges. Inspired by their uncle Michael Dean, a 75-year-old man with the mental capacity of a child, the glitch represents not just inherited trauma, but the possibility of transformation. Walter traces this glitch across generations of his family, linking it to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, addiction, and emotional volatility—but he does not stop there.
Instead of surrendering to his past, Walter flipped the switch. He pursued higher education and earned a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and International Business from Sacramento State University. With over a decade of corporate leadership in safety and compliance, he now stands as a powerful voice for mental health advocacy and transformation.
Walter’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, but it’s also a reminder of how often society overlooks those who are struggling with invisible burdens. Many are left to fend for themselves in systems that don’t accommodate their unique needs—be it mental health challenges, socioeconomic struggles, or the weight of past mistakes. In his memoir, Walter not only exposes these systemic failures but also provides a roadmap for overcoming them. The “Michael Dean Glitch” is more than just a personal struggle; it represents a broader societal issue that continues to impact countless individuals. His journey is a call to action for empathy and understanding, urging us to look past the surface and address the root causes of adversity.
Make Another Me chronicles this journey, weaving together personal anecdotes, spiritual insights, and practical strategies for healing. The book doesn’t just spotlight the dysfunction—it digs into how those so-called flaws can be repurposed as tools for growth. Whether it’s finding clarity through chess, building resilience with a stronger vocabulary, or developing a “Relationship Agreement” to support healthy communication, Walter shares hard-won truths in a language that resonates.
His message is clear: your past doesn’t have to define you. Even the deepest glitches—when understood and faced with intention—can become gifts. Through pain, fatherhood, spiritual awakening, and fierce determination, Walter shows us what it means to break generational curses without losing your soul.
The Michael Dean Glitch is more than a memoir. It’s a movement. For the ones society gave up on, this book stands as living proof: you can rewrite your story.