Original Air Date:
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Guests:
Oprah spoke with parents Susan and Michael about raising their children Bodhi, 1 and Jani, 7 who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Show Summary:
After reading an article in the LA Times, Oprah was inspired to meet the family that was raising a 7 year-old daughter with schizophrenia. Oprah traveled to California to speak with Jani and her parents, Susan and Michael, where she saw first-hand the struggles the family faces caring for a daughter that has psychosis and hallucinations of imaginary animals that speak to her. The couple also spoke with Oprah via satellite on the show, unable to travel to Chicago with Jani's condition.
Special Highlights:
This episode featured the following highlights:
- Jani's parents noticed their daughter was different as an infant.
- The hallucinations and imaginary friends were manageable until they turned violent when Jani was 5.
- Hospitalizations in the UCLA psychiatric ward began at 5 and Jani was diagnosed at 6.
- To protect both their children, Susan and Michael set up house in 2 apartments in the same complex and alternate care of each of their kids.
- Susan and Michael take responsibility for their daughter, but wish their were better services available for her level of mental illness.
What to Take Away from the Show:
Aside from being voyeurs into the lives of another family, Susan and Michael were able to provide more for viewers in sharing the story of their daughter Jani. Mental illness is a serious disease and deserves to be acknowledged by society and have services provided and available for the families responsible for the treatment and protection of those affected. It is evident that Susan and Michael need support for Jani, and hopefully bringing this story to the national level will help the cause.
