I'm new to the community. I'm a 59 year old man whose father dealt with schizophrenia my entire life. He died in 1986 when I was 24. My mother died in 1998 when I was 35. Both left me with more questions than answers. I thought I'd ask some of you the questions I had for them.

1. I don't remember how I learned about my father's illness. My mother never sat down and had a talk with me or anything. It's almost as if I learned about him over the years by osmosis. Those of you who have children, or parents here whose spouse has schizophrenia, and also have children, how and when did you explain the illness to them?

2. My dad was dealing with schizophrenia during some of the dark ages of treatment. I know he was subjected to shock therapy at least once in his life. It seemed like the best the doctors could do for my dad was jeep him somewhat calm. He still talked and yelled at himself in various voices, and had to be hospitalized frequently. I'd not in that position he was so heavily drugged that he could oy speak in very slow sentences. What strides in medicine gave been made in the past 40 years? I hope many!

3. My father wrote, alot. My earliest memories are of him typing in the basement on a manual typewriter. By the time he died his writings were more like quickly scribbled words on scrap paper. I still have his writings. I e only looked at them once, shortly after dis death. It was too much for me to handle at that time. What would you think should be done with these writings? If they were your writings what would you like done with them?

I guess that's the majority of my questions. I know he lived a tormented life, and I feel bad for what he had to endure. That being said I never doubted his love. He was the best father for me he could be. On occasion I was able to see a glint in his eye and hear a tone of voice that would show me what he would've been like had he been free of his illness. Those moments are so special to me. I still cherish most every memory of him I have, and I love him dearly to this day.

Thanks for any help you an give.