DISABILITIES

By Daniel J. Vance

Twenty years ago in 1985, Joanne Vrbenek, of Farmington, Michigan, “came out of the closet” on national TV talk shows hosted by Sally Jessy Raphael and Dr. Sonya Friedman to say she had schizophrenia. Four months after those appearances she announced the formation of a new six-step support group, Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA). Two people showed for the first meeting in a Big Boy restaurant in Novi, Michigan.

“Today we have more than 160 chapters, including ones in Australia, Brazil, Venezuela, Japan, France, and Canada,” said Vrbenek, 60, in a telephone interview.

About two million Americans have schizophrenia. The condition may involve hallucinations, delusions, feelings of agitation, social withdrawal, and disorganized thinking or speech. People between ages 16-24 are most vulnerable. Vrbenek's first "psychotic break" came at age 25 while facing great stress.

“People's lives have been changed through SA,” she said, remembering back over 20 years and more than 15,000 members. “For instance, 'Kathy' has been involved with us for 17 years. She was able to go to college and now has her her second master's degree. She works for a hospital and has been able to keep her job. She is married, lives a quality life, and is a good friend. And she attributes part of her success to SA.”

Because SA is an “anonymous” organization, its members only refer to each other by first name.

Said Vrbenek, “Another person whose life changed (after joining) was 'Jamie.” As a schizophrenic he worked for our SA organization about five years before leaving. Today he is doing advocacy work for the mentally ill. I keep in touch with him daily. He has grown as a person. He attributes SA with helping him in life and furthering his advocacy work.”

Another changed person was “John,” who in time became the group's webmaster. “He has been working for us and doing most of our literature writing, our e-letter, and even writing our group leaders manual,” said Vrbenek. “He has a master's degree in public administration and is a member of Mensa, the organization for people with high IQs. John and I have been working together since 1985, figuring out how we can spread the word and reach people.”

Vrbenek sees SA in time becoming a fully worldwide organization “because of the need,” she said. She estimates the world has 50 million people with schizophrenia.

For more, see www.danieljvance.com or www.nsfoundation.org