You Are Not Alone: My Journey To Recovery

In the heart of San Francisco, I discovered the power of community during a transformative period in our nation's history. As political tensions rose, I found solace in connecting with peers and understanding the importance of civic engagement. My journey took an inspiring turn during a camping trip to Aptos, where I learned about local activists like Daniel Lurie and the ongoing struggle for accessible education. The experience was rich with human connection, particularly a memorable moment dancing with senior Hispanic women whose warmth and familial devotion were deeply moving. Stepping away from digital distractions, I immersed myself in nature, finding clarity and presence. The connections I forged were genuine and intellectually stimulating, reminding me that meaningful relationships transcend technology and political boundaries. This trip reinforced my belief in the potential of young adults to drive meaningful social change, highlighting the significance of grassroots commun...

  It was 10 a.m. at "Baker Place," where group therapy was in session. For those who don't know, Baker Place is a rehabilitation center for individuals trying to overcome their life circumstances. At that time, I had no understanding of schizophrenia; I thought I was losing my mind and was a lost cause, someone who would never amount to anything. It was my therapist who introduced me to @larkinstreetyouthservices.  At Larkin Street, I witnessed a lot. I saw many well-functioning adults living on the streets of San Francisco, and I realized many of them were similar to me. The only difference was that I was given the opportunity to speak out about my experiences in the Bay Area. I had a chance to showcase my knowledge of harm reduction, the power of Narcan, and what true leadership looks like in the hands of young advocates.  Through Larkin Street Youth Services, many leaders, including Scott Wiener and Sherilyn Adams, heard my voice today.  They saw me for me, allowi...

  This blog is simply for those who are curious as to how schizophrenics live their day to day lives. I cannot speak on ALL schizophrenics, but this website is simply to highlight the positive moments that create meaning behind such a challenging illness.  Just over a month ago, I rescued Shirley. I had no prior experiences with animals, other than the simple fact that I was lonely, in need of companionship, and desperate to escape the darkness that inhabited me.  Shirley brings light into my life. She has so much energy to give. I have no clue where I would be without her vivacious energy.  So far, her favorite snack is cinnamon flavored milk-bone crackers, with a side of chicken apple sausage strips. She jumps up and down with excitement, every time I open my refrigerator.  As a young schizophrenic, it can be difficult to keep my surroundings clean and fresh. Shirley gives me the energy to keep my space clean. Keeping your apartment clean and nice doesn't feel...

  Having schizophrenia can be challenging. I didn't ask for auditory hallucinations. I think if it were my choice, I would never ask for such a difficult thought disorder.  Ever since Shirley came into my life, my life has changed. I found a new passion for life and all its trials and tribulations. Her energy is so radiant, a light shines through her. 10:45PM it's officially 7 days until I can register for classes online. My goal in school, is to receive my associates in Social and Behavioral Sciences, with a minor in trauma prevention and recovery . I plan on changing the way schizophrenia is perceived in the media. All I see online about schizophrenics is that we are psycho or some extremely smart genius. There's literally no middle ground. Where are the schizophrenics who are pretty functional, simple, and just plan on taking care of themselves and their family. I plan on healing my trauma, allowing support groups to help me succeed, and moving forward from past traumati...

 I was taking the bus home, as I saw this mind-blowing image.  As a student, my heart breaks for innocent children being a target to such an ugly, despicable, callous crime. No one deserves to lose their newborn babies, especially to bombs. This genocide is really difficult to grasp. It all seems unreal. 5:54am I never understood what babies had to do with this?  Why babies? Why drag them into a war they know nothing about? Why are our tax dollars funding a war? When I go home, I don't think about a bomb possibly taking off when I go to sleep. I don't cry myself to bed, over losing my child to a senseless war. My heart goes out to families, friends,colleagues, who have to be reminded everyday that they are not free just yet.

 Living with schizophrenia can be challenging, but building community definitely changed my perspective on my mental illness. I am still in shock, that I was hired to be a part of this program. The vulnerable side of me thought..  "I won't ever get hired because of my age and mental illness."  As I stated, the statistics don't lie. Most of America's drug affiliates are schizophrenics, Bipolar, or Depressed. What can I possibly say in my interview that could possibly change this narrative? as you can see, my thoughts were not being very supportive at the time, but my determination to be a part of a movement kept me going.  First off RAM's stands for "Richmond Area Multi Services".  So.. what did I learn from this six-teen week program? Being a part of Ram's Peer Certificate Program expanded my views on intersectionality. As I stated in my college paper, intersectionality is the idea that every.single.group ... black, Hispanic, Indian, White, etc. ...

  11:27pm Sometimes, I think to myself.. " what did I ever do to deserve such an illness like schizophrenia?" I mean, I always gave back, I mind my own business, and I had already lost my sister to cancer! What more did I need to experience, in order to understand that life itself is Precious? 11:32pm The truth was that I couldn't escape the drama that inhabited me. The endless nights of stress and desperation .. for a better life. When I found out I had schizophrenia, my heart skipped a beat. I was so angry, because If I had known this at the start of my educational journey, I would have been in a different place.. definitely not the one I was in today. One method I found to be helpful for me to combat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, is reminding myself that I am resilient, resourceful, and smart. Writing has kept my emotions at ease. It reminds me that I have a purpose to fulfill my ancestors who paved the way for me.  What does building acceptance with schizoph...