Kevin's Story

(a battle with schizophrenia)

  My son Kevin was different than most other children from birth. He was awkward, wanted to be liked, did not mix well with other children and only had three or four close friends. While going to high school and university he would work at a local car wash. He would take his job seriously doing the best job that he could.

  He had a flair for the theater, and joined a local theater group, even scored in a few parts in some movies. His best one was in a Russel Crowe movie (Cinderella Man ). He said the money was lousy, but the food was great. He had quite a sense of humour, even had a flair for writing poems. One of his passions was eating lots of good food.

   In school he would only show to be average. This was probably due to the fact that he just wanted to be one of the guys. At university it took him a while to decide what courses he wanted to take. He graduated with two majors in English and Sociology from McMaster University. At university trying to be one of the guys, he went on a panty raid, but was caught as left his keys behind. His friends helped by chipping in to pay for his fine.

 Not finding suitable employment he picked up a Diploma from Sheridan College in Transportation in a Co-op program where he would work in the field and go to college. He scored very high in the course material. His note taking was terrible, but his memory was phenomenal at spouting dates and facts.  After a two year term the company that he was working with was not hiring. It seemed that he was going to become a professional student. He did do some work in the field on a contract basis, filling in for personnel that were on holidays, but not finding permanent employment.

  Finally he got full time job with a security company, making a reasonable wage, while working at an automobile plant in Bramalea. He took his job seriously. After about 2 years he had a confrontation with one of the shift workers. He wound up in the hospital for observation and ended up on sick leave. At this time we noticed a big change in his behaviour.

  The change in his behaviour was so great, we decide that we would have to do something. We sent him to the family doctor to have him assessed. This did not work. The doctor gave us a nasty phone call telling us not to do that again. Then we had him visit a psychiatrist. He convinced the shrink that we were ones that were crazy and not him. Finally we had to get a court order that would keep in the hospital for 72 hours for assessment. This finally worked and we were able to get him treatment. With Kevin this problem happened when he was 32 years old. Usually it happens much earlier at about 20 years old. It is much harder to deal with an adult that with a child, because of confidentiality laws.

  Leading up to being able to get Kevin treatment we took a 10 week course on schizophrenia. This course is sponsored by the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario. With the help from the professionals giving the course, we were enabled to get help for Kevin. I would highly recommend that family members to take this course, so that they can help there afflicted loved one. The wife and I have been active members of the Society (Hamilton Chapter) ever since, trying to help other families that have similar problems.

  After his affliction, Kevin took a one year computer training course that was government sponsored at Trios College. It resulted in a diploma. Finally he landed a job with a company in the transportation field, where he would handle the phones and computers tracking trucks transporting materials all over North America. After about a year he suffered a relapse, and was off work for some time. Some part time jobs followed. It is important that a person with this ailment have an understanding boss.

  Kevin passed away ( March 4, 2010)  after 10 years with his bout with schizophrenia. We are not sure of his cause of death at this time. We are awaiting the coroners report. The report was not specific about the cause of death.

  Schizophrenia afflicts about one percent of the population. Of that one percent ten percent have been known to commit suicide. During the last ten years, Kevin went off his medication at least 4 times. Every time it was a bit harder to bring him back. Most medications have side effects and at times the afflicted person believes that he no longer needs them. There is no known cure for schizophrenia and it is a life long journey.

  This year (2010) the local Hamilton Chapter for Schizophrenia is honouring Kevin in the Walk of Hope on Sunday May 16 at Gage Park in Hamilton at 11AM (annual event). This is a fund raiser to help in the research for schizophrenia.  The goal is $170,000 for all of Ontario. The Hamilton Chapter will try to beat the Toronto Chapter again.

 Kevin's Crusader's will be leading the pack for this years Walk of Hope. All donations welcomed. Please make donations to the Hamilton Chapter of the Schizophrenia Society in care of Kevin's Crusader's, 193 James Street South, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Donations of $20 or more will get a tax receipt in Canada. Thank you.

I would like to thank everyone that participated and contributed to the walk. For the Hamilton Chapter the revenue was up by about 15% over the previous year. Not too bad considering the state of the economy.

  The world has to be made aware of schizophrenia. With early intervention the effects can be minimized.

                Thank you for your attention,

                 Norm. Bdinka  (normz2)