Realign Raise Awareness Poster Series 'Grainne'

I am a woman in my early twenties. How to describe myself in three words? Hmmm. I’d say I’m kind, a good friend, and adventurous. I’m unemployed, so I get a lot of time to work in the garden. I’d love to have a job, but I also love gardening so it’s not so bad. I spend some time watching TV, and my favourite show at the moment is Riverdale.

I was 17 when I was diagnosed. I was sure they’d made a mistake. All I knew about schizophrenia was some vague idea about murderers. I would be mortified if anyone found out about it, and no, I never tell anyone. I know what they’d say. I lost all my friends when I got sick. One friend got in touch later, when I was better, when I had my symptoms under control. We talk on Messenger sometimes, and it’s nice.

Schizophrenia is a hard challenge. It’s serious. But it’s not… I am not schizophrenia. I am Grainne. I am a young woman with my life ahead of me, an enthusiastic gardener, and a good friend. Schizophrenia is definitely a big hurdle to me living my life fully, but it is just a hurdle.