Understanding Schizophrenia Through Personal Experience

Art

Harmless, but feared. A staple at the donut shop I worked at for three years during High School. He was my first exposure to troubled individuals just trying to survive in society.  Art suffered from schizophrenia.  From what his family explained, he was a suicidal schizophrenic, not a homicidal schizophrenic. 

Imagine yourself at sixteen. Someone sits in front of you as you pour his coffee and he mutters continuously, “The aliens are out there. They are waiting for you when you leave. Take your umbrella, keep a handful of flour in your pocket.  When the phone rings three times it is go time.”  You wonder if what you are hearing is normal. Then, someone informs you that you are not in the middle of a movie scene. You also realize you are not on candid camera. It is your first job and your first exposure to mental illness, is this the way society is?

Then one of Art’s sons comes in to pick him up. He thanks you for watching over him. You feel a bit strange. Nobody told me what I was witnessing. Nobody informed me I was responsible for this troubled soul sitting in front of me.  Then some of the employees that have been there a while explain what you just witnessed.  The resident schizophrenic, well not the resident but the regular.  What a way to learn about this disease. You may have study it in health class, but to witness it in real time, without warning is surreal. 

Over the years, we received frantic calls repeatedly. One of Art’s family members would check to see if he showed up at the donut shop.  I came to learn the family actually lived in the subdivision across the street from the house where I lived. There were seven children. They did their best to support their father. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in his late thirties. 

What a sad disease to witness.  The fear the children felt when their dad went missing. Through all his troubles, they loved him and cared for him the best they could. 

Art was just another reason I greatly appreciated my health and my upbringing. We all have struggles from time to time. When you witness the immense struggles of others, you feel extremely grateful. You appreciate the life you live and the minor struggles you have.

I hope you take some solace in this story. Have patience with those you meet, you know not of their struggles. If you have your health, your freedom, a positive attitude and ambition, be thankful. If you have a job and can support yourself or help support your family, be thankful. This world is filled with all types of people with unimaginable struggles. Be the kindness that is so very needed in this world!