Realign Raise Awareness Poster Series 'Dermot'

People who live with schizophrenia are people, just like you and me. They have hobbies, jobs, loved ones, friends, family, joys, sorrows, pleasure, and pain. Our research included meeting with and talking to people in our communities who deal with schizophrenia as part of their lives. To protect their privacy, we drew on real responses to compile characters that are representative of the true, lived experience of people in Ireland who live with schizophrenia

Dermot's Story: I am a man in my mid twenties. I am unemployed, but I’m in training so I can get a job. Three words that describe me are religious, insightful, and honest. I love listening to music, especially when I’m running. I run every other day, and I hope to do a ten kilometer race later this year. I also play guitar, but only to myself. I’m not good enough yet to perform. But you watch, I will be one day! I also like watching the boxing on TV. I’ve never been to a live boxing match, but I’d like to see what it’s like one day. Imagine seeing Conor McGregor in the flesh! When I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, I didn’t really understand what it was. I’d only ever heard the word in a film I watched, but it wasn’t clear what it meant. So I learned about schizophrenia by living it. I never tell people I live with schizophrenia, only my close family and two friends know about it. And yes, I’ve kept from telling about it, for instance when I enrolled for the course I’m doing at the moment. I didn’t want to take the chance that I’d be turned down, and I knew really they’d never know because my symptoms are under control, and I work hard to keep it that way. So really it’s none of anybody’s business.

I’m Dermot. I’m a Christian, a boxing fan, a guitar player, a runner, a music lover. Schizophrenia is part of my life, but it is not my life.