I’ve had schizoaffective illness for twenty-five years. I still have relatives and their friends who never even knew I was in the hospital or ill. When I become aware of this, I feel anger and shame. I deserve to have dignity and so does my family. I am proud to be who I am, either with or without the illness. The one wish I have for my life here on in, is to stand up for myself, be open about my illness, my psychotherapy and meds, and simply be pround to be me. I wish the same for every member of my family and their friends. I do in fact like myself better since being ill. Long-term psychotherapy has helped me immensely to reach that point. I am 46. I have had 23 years of personal psychotherapy with a clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst. That’s half of my life. I am proud of it.

I remember with fondness sitting in classes taught by Dr. Pruyser as he helped the student bridge the gap between psychology, sociology, medicine and religion. Those were days of rich learning.

Thank you John, it was much appreciated to reconnect with this messey, but gratifying way of thinking.

Rich Porter, MSW

PS My wife read an earlier article you wrote and fell in love with you. Fortunately here in the Ozarks we keep our women chained up at night.