I’ve never seen anything like your film. Astounding. First, personally - my son was diagnosed with schizophrenia many years ago and he is now 41. I have a professional interest as well. I am a counselor and group facilitator at a growth center. None of us have ever seen such a REAL film before. It’s like watching our lives. Thank you.
I just watched People Say I'm Crazy tonight on TV. Please pass on to John how much I appreciate him opening his mind and soul to the camera. I have two sons aged 21 and 29. The older one has bipolar affective disorder and the younger one has schizophrenia coupled with OCD and a touch of Tourettes.
The older son has it much easier - he is a normal regular likable guy most of the time but has to get through some very dramatic highs and lows on a regular basis. The younger son has many more problems. He is not able to communicate how he feels or what is happening to him, and John's film really helped me to understand what is going on inside his head.
I enjoyed the film very much. It made me understand my son, my mother and my sister - who all have schizophrenia. My son just came home from three weeks in the hospital and your film has given me new ideas on how to relate to him.
I have never been so deeply affected in my life - it was like watching our own family's lives. My son, who will turn 25 in October, suffers from schizophrenia also; he even looks like John.
What a fantastic thing John and his sister have done. My husband and I signed up for HBO specifically to watch the film. After watching the film, I came to the conclusion that many more people need to see it. So I contacted a wonderful local business and they have agreed to let me show the film there. After that, I have more ideas on where to show it. You’ve turned me into even more of an activist than I already was
My son was diagnosed approximately two years ago. We have met this challenge with much love and many tears as well as laughter. The darkest times were when the medication wasn't working and he could not do his art. My son’s and John's art are very much alike and as a matter of fact, they look a lot alike. He watched your documentary also. He understood many of John's struggles and wanted John to know he was inspired. Originally, my son left college during the worst part of his illness. He just had his 22nd birthday and hopes to return to college in January.
My son too is an artist, a very talented musician who lost the ability to remember chords when his illness began about age 16. Not understanding his illness, his mother had him arrested and put in jail. Two years ago I brought him to live with me. He has been diagnosed with a schizoaffective disorder--he hears voices, has delusions and a mood disorder.
None of the medications helped my son. He developed a swallowing disorder from one of them, so I took him off it and started him on another regimen three months ago. He says he feels better, sleeps less, has become a gourmet, fat-free cook, but still can't play his guitar.
To the Cadigan family, I say thank-you for the courage, for the tenacity and for the love. You all give me much hope.
My son was diagnosed with the same illness eight years ago. It has been quite a journey, but, like John, he is doing so much better now that he is taking medication. I bought your movie for the local library and have organized an event, Mental Illness Awareness Week. Keep up your beautiful art. You don’t realize how many people you have inspired with your art and your story. Now my city will get to be inspired too.
Thank you for this uplifting story about schizophrenia. My son has just recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is struggling very hard to cope with all the changes it's created in his life. He doesn't know who to talk to about his feelings besides the doctor and his support group and you’ve helped him start opening up to me.
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