My Schizophrenic Sister

              Seeing as it is national acceptance week (or whatever it's called at my school), I thought that this particular article was extremely appropriate. At my school, we pride ourselves for being accepting. We embrace students of all gender, of all race, of all sexuality, as well as the mentally impaired (down syndrome, autism, etc.), but rarely have I heard of a student with a mental disorder (such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, split or multi personality disorder, etc.) Never have I heard of anyone within my school having a mental or psychotic imbalance, but often have I heard students making jokes or funny references to such diseases. Yes it wrong to use the f word. Of course it wrong to use the n word. And one should never dream of using the r word, but I can guarantee that no student has ever given a second thought to making a mental disease the butt of their joke. The people plagued with these diseases are not themselves, they have no control over their illness. " That is what it is - an illness - like cancer or Alzheimer’s. It is an illness that should not be shunned or made fun of but understood and, eventually, cured." We must make an effort to understand those with mental diseases, not isolate them. Like homosexuals are born into their sexual preferences, like black people are born with their skin color, like children with autism are born into their disease, those with psychological illnesses are also, quite simply, born that way. We make such a a strong effort in our schools to make gay, lesbian, black, asian,  and white students feel accepted and safe. Should we not also make the same effort to accept and understand the psychologically impaired as we do to all the others? 

       "My schizophrenic sister" was an anonymous article I found while perusing the web. It was a very personal account of a sister who must look after and care for her newly diagnosed, but wonderfully different, schizophrenic little sister. The author employs pathos; really tugs on the heart strings. She goes into their past, and gives a very descriptive account of their special friendship, and how her sister has always been different. "I have laughed with my sister and cried for her. I have played dress-up with her and watched as she swore off dresses forever. I have flung food at her during food fights and have tried in vain to get her to drink a measly cup of water. I have hugged her and hurt her. I have told her stories and listened to the stories she mistakes for reality. I love her" She also explains the illness of schizophrenia, "The stereotypes that surround those with schizophrenia are often that the person is extremely violent and “walks around carrying a hatchet.” Schizophrenia is also often confused with multiple personality disorder, but someone with schizophrenia does not have two different people inside the head. A schizophrenic’s perception of reality gets distorted so that sometimes they hear voices or think they are a famous person, like Napoleon." She tells of how her sister, although younger, has always been braver; always ready to try new things. now that her sister is faced with this disease, the author knows that it is her turn to be brave, her turn to lead the way for her sister. "I know that I am the one who will look after my sister for the rest of her life. We have eight older siblings, but none can deal with my sister’s craziness. So, I am in for a long and difficult life, but I am not complaining. I love my sister, and along with being the craziest person I know, she is also the sweetest." This article really reinforces the 'acceptance' of others, and reminds us that we must make an effort to make all people of different races, orientations, mental restrictions, and psychological ailments feel loved and understood. I hope this encourages readers to take a step forward on the path of acceptance.

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