Schizophrenia: The Perspective of a Father & Brother-in-Law

Six words with such a profound meaning in this year of 2008. Last week we buried my brother-in-law, a very
emotional experience, it all seemed surreal. Bobby is at peace with God, and is reunited with his parents, and
what a reunion! He has no more, worries, health problems or concerns. We should all be as fortunate. He will now watch over us in the same manner as we did him for so long. There is one brother left and he will handle the afterarrangements, whatever they are, I don't envy him, it's a tough chore. We'll see how it all pans out, as for the rest of the story, till next time, Sayonara.

Last week my son was turned down for SSI, the specialists examining him agree he has a mental illness and
felt it was not severe enough to disable him so they determined he could work at a non physical job or one that would not tax his mental state. We are deciding whether to appeal, my mom is urging us to do so but I haven't decided yet. My feeling is if two opinions by medical pros agree why would a third one change anything? His age(25) was cited as a factor. His work experience is lacking, due to his overprotective grandmother who passed away in 2004, she held him back because he was living with her then. When she died as aforementioned he had been working at a fast food restaurant but was let go because in their words, he did not meet their standards. He tried college for awhile but was unsuccessful and has run up a lot of debt, we are deciding whether to urge him to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. More later, adios muchachos.

At approximately 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, my brother-in-law Bobby passed away at the Louisville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He had been ill with cancer for some time, apparently longer than we knew of. He was 64 years old, and had had schizophrenia at least 30 plus years and his life was anything but normal. He really didn't take care of himself as well as he could have, due to his affliction and his unhealthy habits. He was also paranoid and trusted only his brother. Needless to say, we are all saddened by his passing but realize he is no longer suffering and is at peace. Maybe we could learn from this that once again life is short, so make the most of the time we have in the world and enjoy it. Till next time, and by the way, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I have been writing this blog since November 2007 and I am about to do something I never thought I would. My brother-in-law is dying, we think of cancer, all tests point to it, we got the news two days ago in mid-afternoon, and we are devastated, it makes me think of all the past phone calls I have received concerning death of relatives. Beginning in 1967, I answered the phone when an uncle died, four years later my grandfather, five years after that my other grandfather, thirteen years after that another uncle, four years later a grandmother, the following year, 1994, my dad, three years after that my other grandmother, and now my brother-in-law, who by the way, is named Bobby. I had not revealed his name until now. Sometimes I wonder if I am unlucky or just in the right place at the wrong time. Well, now we have to make plans when he will pass and he will, unfortunately. I know of no one that has lived forever except in spirit. It makes you wonder about your own mortality, the VA is doing all it can for him, mainly to keep him as comfortable as possible, he is just a shell of his former self. I haven't seen him in nearly a week due to the fact I have been handling chores around the house. I have been getting my son's affairs in order for him and trying to comfort my wife to the best of my ability. Maybe someday I will be rewarded for my efforts as a human being, though I don't think I am that great a person other than someone who has always tried to to his best and give his all. All I have ever wanted for my efforts is an occasional "Thank You". It never hurts for you to be acknowledged, if that sounds vain, no apologies. This is my blog and my thoughts. Till next time, peace..

Hi, everyone, been a few days since the last entry, a few things to share, among them my son lost another job, it sure has been frustrating for him, at least he did get income tax refunds and we will use them wisely, I am getting him some medical help, the brother-in-law has been in the VA hospital twice in the last week, and is still there as I write this. It's been very traumatic for and on us, that's putting it mildly, the sister-in-law is oblivious to all that is occurring with her younger brother and that grates on us as well, especially my wife. As for myself, I am taking it day to day and keeping the faith, sometimes we all need divine guidance, prayer changes things, believe me. Easter arrives in two weeks and with it new beginnings. May you have one. Aloha.