Hi My Name is Diane J. and I have experienced the devastating effects of Schiztophrenia. I thought the depression I lived with most of my life was to beat all end but in 2003 not knowing that the visions I had been seeing years prior to that was an illness and not spiritual. After my brothers passing in 2003, suddenly what I thought to be depression turned into something that was totally out of control, not only did I see things but my body was experincing weird things as well. I couldn't leave my house, I had chairs up against all my doors, I was afraid to be alone and no amount of medicines could get rid of the terror. I was on 7 psychotic drugs and none of them worked. Finally I got fed up when I started falling out of bed, stumbling, slurred speach and didn't know who I was from one day to the next, I said NO this will not keep happening to me and I signed myself into the Mental Ward to have shock treatments. After 3 yrs. of constant fear, anxiety & a since of dispair, while asking God to just take my life over & over again, I just refused to give up, well to make a long story short, it was a tumor the size of a orange pushing on the right side of my brain. It is removed now but I'm still experiencing some of the symptoms but thank God they're not as bad as before. I just keep telling myself ( But I'm Still Here)! And since 1997 my quest has been only to educate, advocate & mentor those who have expereince some of these same disabilities.

Thank you for reading! I hope this can show people all is not lost & keep the faith & continue to keep looking for answer.

Diane Johnson Pgh. Pa