Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that effects many people. My brother Joey has suffered from this disease most of his life. When you talk of mental disorders of any type such as Schizophrenia, Bi- Polar, and various other mental illnesses, most people think that the sufferer can and should be able to control their illness. But you would not expect a person with Alzheimer's to be able to control their illness. So much is not understood about the mind. Because of our own ignorance we are sometimes very unkind to those among us who suffer from these terrible mental illnesses. What if it were your mother, or your sister, or perhaps your child. Would we then have a different view of this? Below is a brief story of my brother, and his life living in the grip of Schizophrenia.

You were a young man, a teenager really, when we heard for the first time Schizophrenia, split personality. You had trouble as a young man with authority, and later the law. We didn't know how sick you were, only years later could we begin to understand. And then Mom died, and what fragile little bit of you that was present seemed to crumble. You still don't always understand that she is gone. In your mind she is hiding from you. You wandered the streets in a homeless state for more than 3 years. Crossing the country several times. I never knew when the phone would ring in the middle of the night. Would it be the police or hospitals calling. You were always clear on my phone number, so I could never change it. In and out of hospitals, and jails and yet nobody can seem to help you. You come home and roam the streets of our old neighborhood, in and out of trouble. The face of one of the homeless people we see everyday in our journey to and from work, school, or shopping. You are one of them. What do we do with you? The answer seems simple, put you away in a mental hospital. Hide you from our daily sight.

You have been there many years now. The guilt that we feel is compounded daily. The only consolation is that you are no longer roaming the streets. You are fed daily, and are no longer eating from garbage cans. Can they help you at this hospital? Thirteen years later, I don't think so. Where is Joey? Where is my brother? That young silly kid I used to call my big brother? He is gone.... but in my heart he is with me always. I love you Joey! You are my brother, you are not just one of the homeless faces in the crowd. The next time you see my brother on the street, smile at him, he is your brother also. God smiles on you Joey, he is always their to protect you. And one day your mind will clear and you will be whole again.

Below you will find links for information on and dealing with Schizophrenia.

NSF

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia Homepage

Public Information: Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia Resources - NAMI

Schizophrenia: Youth's Greatest Disabler

Schizophrenia - Doctor's Guide to the Internet

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression