Comments on: Conclusions and Concessions

By: John

John — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:03:58 +0000

I just came across this post… To some degree, I can identify with you completely…

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:18:23 +0000

Have they tried Clozaril? The son of my SO has severe schizophrenia. Zyprexa helped some, but Clozaril has made a huge difference. Now, I doubt if you’d even guess he has schizophrenia. It truly has been a wonder drug in his case.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:02:22 +0000

I gotta agree with Laura. Don’t blame yourself. That’s the classic Chinese thing to do. It ain’t your fault because you didn’t know/couldn’t have known at that age.

One of the things we need to do as humans is reach for a *reason* for why certain things happen. Sometimes they just do. Don’t blame yourself. Don’t condemn yourself to the squalor of your own mind. Reach for the happiness and stick to it. Otherwise, it’s Hell on earth for you, and that ain’t any way to live.

By: Aidan

Aidan — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:55:20 +0000

Ernie,

As someone who’s in a very similar situation, if you ever want to talk with someone directly, I’d be happy to listen.

One thing I’ve decided is that in my experience sometimes it’s okay to be selfish and put yourself first. You have to take care of yourself first before you can truly have the ability take care of anyone else.

I like to think I’m someone who really helps my friends, family, and girlfriend through difficult times. But the only reason I can do this is because I take care of myself first, so that I have the energy stored for when other people need me.

So far this year on top of everything else, both of my parents have become incredibly ill, and then after deciding to take a break last night with my friends, my bag was stolen here in London, with my laptop which had my Macbook Pro and iPhone in it.

Life does suck sometimes and just when you think it can’t get worse, it’ll find some beautiful way of kicking you square in the nuts. You’ve got to forget about the bad things sometimes, realise the good things you have and take care of yourself.

Happy New Year and good luck in 2010!

By: mkf

mkf — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:21:53 +0000

it hit me tonight, reading this–what underlies all your writing, gives it its flavor, is this sword of damocles that’s been hanging over your head from the day you first realized your sister would be your cross to bear forever, a life sentence for a crime you didn’t commit.

not being able to rise above looking at it that way doesn’t make you a bad person–i hope at some point you get that.

By: almost witty

almost witty — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:11:43 +0000

I think you just described my family. Aside from not having a mentally-ill siser part – my family just disintegrated by itself anyway.

Now my Dad spends his days chatting up women online (although he’s in no fit state to, y’know, actually *do* anything with them) and my Mum vacantly watches Chinese TV…

You’re not alone. Sad as it sounds.

By: Kimpo

Kimpo — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:01:25 +0000

I empathize with your feelings concerning your sister. Hopefully 2010 treats you better.

By: Morrie

Morrie — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:55:47 +0000

Ernie, In your own way, I hope that you, and your family have a safe Christmas, and that 2010 is a little kinder to you than maybe 2009 was. Take care, man.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:37:51 +0000

Sometimes life sucks, and as simple as that sounds, it is true. This is the hand that you were dealt, and there may be some peace in concluding that it can’t be fixed. (No reason to hold out hope for expectations that can’t be met.)

By: Chas

Chas — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:56:39 +0000

Man, you have guts to publish this. May you find your own peace of mind in your writing about this.