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Of Schizophrenia and a Friend's Courage

Discussion in 'Off-topic Discussion' started by Gentleman WriterDreamer, May 21, 2015.

  1. One of my very dear friends posted a video to YouTube and shared it with me today. He suffers from schizophrenia and has been sorely tested by this ailment and deeply hurt by the reactions that the label brings with it. And yet the love and friendship that he has shown me in times when my diabetes was dragging me down, and the hope and majesty of his spirit in the face of these challenges are truly inspirational. It made me cry to watch him talk about all the hardships that he has had to endure and at the same time it made me feel ever more proud of him. There are so many titles and labels out there that drag us down and mark us as somehow unworthy of happiness, but we are more then these labels. We are each of us a tapestry woven of our hopes and fears our triumphs and tragedies, no single label can truly define the beautiful complexity we each possess. Some heroes fight in wars or save people from burning buildings, but how noble are the heroes that in our everyday lives live in the face harrowing adversity and mange to not only survive but to give hope to others and inspire us to try to be half as brave as they are. If my friend must suffer the burden of a label I would say that the most fitting one would have to be the title of hero.

    He has saved me from despair so many times, and it would mean more to me then I can put into words if you could take a few minutes out of your day to hear his story. As porn addicts we know all to well that such hurtful and negative titles do not make us bad people, and by sharing his story and bravery I would like to remind us that bearing the stigma and shame that comes with schizophrenia does not make someone any less of a noble person or a great man. I could not be more proud of my friend and I wish a world of hope and happiness for him.

     
    Last edited: May 22, 2015
  2. Like most I would assume I am only familiar with schizophrenia through the movie A Beautiful Mind, and I'm not at all sure how accurate that depiction is.

    I can only imagine how impossible it would be to develop any sense of self-worth, normalcy or even safety with this condition. It is so terrible. I did some research a few years back about schizophrenia for a book and I found this video that simulated the condition:



    How are you supposed to function normally when all that is going on in your head?

    I just love the way you describe your friend as a hero, Gentleman. You too are a hero. Some heroes are called to save others. Some, like you and your friend, are called to deal with debilitating and crippling diseases or disorders. But I think something we are all called to do is to make the best of our lives, no matter what we have been given. Those people who succeed in doing that, I think, are the greatest heroes of them all. And I can see you and your friend trying hard to do just that.

    Whatever labels society gives us, whether it is an addict, a criminal, a predator, anorexic, schizophrenic, autistic, black, white, Asian, Arab... we all are at the bottom human. And nobody can take that away from us.

    Thank you for sharing Gentleman.
     
  3. Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful response, and dearest Mumchance good sir thank you for sharing the video and for your immensely kind words. It means so much to me to be able to in some small way help Cain by sharing his story. Thank you all so much for reading this and looking at the video. You are all so wonderful and giving, this makes me feel so happy. :')
     

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