Loyal Brother
04-10-2010, 02:39 AM
My oldest brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 19 years old. He is now 58 and it has been a rough life for him. I am one and a half years younger than him. He has managed to survive on SSI for all these years. He has had his cycles, his up's and downs. He is the worst when he thinks he can stop taking his medication. This brings me to the reason why I am posting this note. I have never tried to enlist advice and help this way before. My brother was on one of his cycles where he stopped taking his medication. We usually get wind and get him the help he needs to get back on track. Until the last time. He had the delusion that his mail man was stealing the money out of his mail. You see, our family supplements his income with small amounts of cash, a little at a time, through the mail so he does not spend it foolishly or have it taken. It has worked for all these years. Then, he threatened to kill the post man for stealing his money. It was wrong to do this; it should have its consequences. He was out of his mind. It was obvious. He has not harmed anyone in all these years. We searched for him for about two weeks, we actively searched for him. We then found out after two weeks that the post office had him arrested. Threatening a postman is a federal offence so he was taken to a federal detention center. He has now been there 70 days. He has received no medical attention. No medication. We have called the Prison, made medical records available. Told his court appointed lawyer. After 70 days, no medication, no help. He is a mess. They tell me that he is the worst anyone has ever seen, from what we are able to gather from him he was being raped and abuse until they put him in segregation in chains. Hi is in chains when we go to visit him. He has lost his SSI, and may lose it permanently if they convict him. My god, does this stuff really happen today? We have been told if we make any waves it could be worse for him. Anyone care to suggest anything that I might be able to do to help him. I am at kind of a loss. I fear the damage is irreversible. Thanks, I hope I posted this in the right forum and it is appropriate :confused: