It seems that everywhere I've been in BC, throughout the major cities and even the small towns , there is a distinct group of patients and ex-mental patients who seek each other out for advice and company.

   Whether it be at drop-in centers or cheap coffee shops it seems that you'll find us there relating to each other just like we were old friends.     It's a most interesting social phenomena.     

   Why do we get along so well?; when we are perfect strangers?.        The The answer is simple and yet complex.     Most of us have SZ.     Great opener eh?      But the crux of it is this: we don't need an introduction and there is no peer pressure.    We all know why we're here.      And should we meet at the bus -stop we're like old friends because we already know that we share in the recovery of a brain disease with that person.     And we are part of a unique society of people who have been there and back (or coming back), to a larger society.      .

Don Fraser