March 14, 2008
Schizophrenia and the Future.
Some people will not understand this point of view. But in all honesty, I am proud of my schizophrenia. It is 'others' and the way they may view me because of my diagnosis, that causes me to lower my head.
I believe the condition of schizophrenia is very misunderstood. I believe the misunderstanding of both the symptoms and experiences of my diagnosis has aided the destruction I have experienced in my life time.
Very creative and unique individuals through time, people that have shaped the way we think and act, artists, scientists, writers and others, have been linked with symptoms of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia makes people work and think outside the box. It's experiences do not conform to the experiences of so called 'normal society' and current undertsanding of the mind. And so we are viewed as abnormal, unstable or ill!
I believe, in the future, when we have more understanding of the human mind and it's true capabilities, many of the experiences and symptoms of my diagnosis will not be viewed as an illness.
To me, because the symptoms are currently very misunderstood and mistreated, they become uncontrollable and take over a persons life, and so those who share my diagnosis are unable to interact and destruction and confusion sets in.
I believe, that in the future, some of the experiences and feelings attached to schizophrenia will be seen in a different light and current views of understanding will seem somewhat primitive.
Stuart Baker-Brown.
February 29, 2008
Schizophrenia and God.
Today I have seen a psychiatrist for the 1st time in years. Simply because my GP wanted me to seek independant advice about my medication, and so I agreed.
The psychiatrist asked me a series of questions. One was, did I feel in contact with God. This was after he asked me if I had any supernatural powers.
I had to say no. This has hurt me a little. Why can Christians and anyone with other beliefs in their God, state that their God or Jesus is in contact with them or close by. Why can politicians say they have God on their side to create wars.
But I feel I have to hide the fact that I feel close to God, in fear of being asessed as deluded.
I feel psychiatry denies me of much. Even denies me of any faith I may have in the creator of all.
Its very saddening.
SBB.
February 28, 2008
Stuart Baker-Brown/Donna Williams Interview.
Stuart interviewed by Donna Williams. Donna Williams is a best-selling Australian-born author, artist, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and sculptor diagnosed with autism after being assessed as a psychotic infant in 1965 at age 2. Donna Williams' first book was the autobiographical Nobody Nowhere. The Extraordinary Autobiography of an Autistic Girl was an international bestseller with fifteen weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. It was shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Prize for Literacy in 1992.
Interview link below.
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/52099
Mera Peak Challenge Update!
I have now booked my flights to Nepal leaving October 15th 2008, returning 11th November. This has been achieved through very kind personal donations and sponsorship from Arctic Medical based here in the UK.
So, Im back down the gym now. I am walking most days with my wonderful dog Beau for about an hour and half across the low hills of the Cerne Valley in Dorset.
Come July, I will be following the same fitness campaign, as when I trained for Everest BC and my Mera Challenge in 2006. This will be walking up and down the steep hills of the Lulworth coast in Dorset and walking for about 4 and half hours each day with gym work.
Im starting to feel quite excited at the thought of being back in the Himalayas again. Once again, I will be trekking with my Friend and Guide, Nuru Jangbu Sherpa.
I am currently 105kg, the lightest I have been in many years. I hope to knock another 6kg off, at least by October.
I do hope my climb will provoke some media attention, with the purpose to promote positve recovery from schizophrenia and to inspire others on their own personal road to recovery.
Peace and Happiness to you all.
Stuart Baker-Brown.