So often we grieve the loss of the children we knew. We worry their life with schizophrenia will be lonely and unproductive. We live through violence, destruction, medication refusal, walking on edge shells and thinking how can life with schizophrenia be meaningful or happy?
I want to share my son’s perspective to give you hope. Today was one of the happiest days of my son’s life. I dropped his dog off to live with him. He smiled and felt pride like I have not seen in years.
In reality he lives in a halfway house due to drug addiction along with his schizoaffective disorder. He has relapsed and went to inpatient rehab 3 times in 2020. He worked 5 different day labor type jobs. He has no real friends, just guys he lives with and attends meeting with. His dog is only going to stay with him on weekends,
His perspective: he no longer lives with his parents, he likes his job hanging sheetrock, his dog does not care what his state of mind is and loves him unconditionally. He feels accomplished and proud.
If anyone asked me when he was born if I would celebrate him living at a halfway house, barely finishing high school, never going to college, doing day labor and 90 days sober. I would view that as a nightmare, but after this journey I celebrate this milestone with him with pride!