Michelle has many experiences in working with various non-profit organizations, which has led her to become involved with the Schizophrenia Society. When her father, Fred, was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, her life changed drastically. No one in Michelle’s family had Schizophrenia; however, her mother suffers from stress and is currently taking antipsychotics.
Ever since Michelle’s father was diagnosed, her family has lived in turmoil. Fred gave up on thirty-five years of marriage to Cindy, and accused her of trying to kill him. His delusion consisted of beliefs that people were trying to kill him, were spying on him and tapping his phone line. He told strangers that his wife had an affair and so he had to divorce her. When Fred underwent gallbladder surgery, no one wanted to visit him in the hospital because of his difficult and bewildering behavior. Michelle eventually decided to visit him, but while doing so he told her that her own mother tried to poison him.
Fred is a very wealthy man. He drives his own car, lives alone, cooks his own food and refuses to take his medication. He would sometimes stay in his room for days, because he thought he would become sick with viruses if he touches anything. Michelle is saddened by her father’s illness, especially during Christmas season, which is a time when family should be together instead of apart. The church has greatly helped her to cope.
Working as a Director at the Schizophrenia Society has helped Michelle to gain a better understanding of the disease. She is supported by a more than competent board of directors. The Society is very interactive, having launched many advertising campaigns on buses, benches, television and radio, to help educate people and reduce the stigma that surrounds this mental health condition. They conduct about eighty presentations per year that includes going to elementary and high schools, educating students about the disease. Medical practitioners and therapists receive newsletters from the Society every month.
A major problem that Michelle sees is that people with mental illness have a problem getting employed, or an employer won’t keep them for very long. When asked how she would respond to someone who would call a mentally ill person “crazy” or “wacko”, Michelle emphatically stated that this type of language is highly inappropriate. She would then inform them of what she knows, because with a little knowledge, she believes that we can correct people. We can all make a difference in our own way, how little it may be.