McGuffyAnn M. reviewed January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her on + 112 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the true account of a child tormented by mental illness. It is written with the intensity and emotion that only a parent can feel.
From infancy, Janni had conflicts that other children did not seem to have. She was more connected to her imaginary friends than other children. She was absorbed in a world she called Calalini. As time went on, it became apparent that these were, in fact hallucinations.
Janni's parents, unable to help her, sought counsel and medical advice. Ultimately, they were forced to obtain psychiatric intervention. They needed help, but also answers and a direction to resolving Janni's problems.
January became a hazard to herself and her parents; she also became a serious hazard to her baby brother. They could not allow Janni near him for fear that his crying would send her into a rage. Her many problems were tearing the family apart. However, her parents would not give up on the family, or on January.
At the tender age of six, January was finally diagnosed with Schizophrenia. With this diagnosis, her parents were finally able to begin to understand Janni, and to help her.
This is a very emotionally charged account of mental illness and its effects on a very young child, as well as her family. Both heartbreaking and brave, it is a compelling read.
From infancy, Janni had conflicts that other children did not seem to have. She was more connected to her imaginary friends than other children. She was absorbed in a world she called Calalini. As time went on, it became apparent that these were, in fact hallucinations.
Janni's parents, unable to help her, sought counsel and medical advice. Ultimately, they were forced to obtain psychiatric intervention. They needed help, but also answers and a direction to resolving Janni's problems.
January became a hazard to herself and her parents; she also became a serious hazard to her baby brother. They could not allow Janni near him for fear that his crying would send her into a rage. Her many problems were tearing the family apart. However, her parents would not give up on the family, or on January.
At the tender age of six, January was finally diagnosed with Schizophrenia. With this diagnosis, her parents were finally able to begin to understand Janni, and to help her.
This is a very emotionally charged account of mental illness and its effects on a very young child, as well as her family. Both heartbreaking and brave, it is a compelling read.
Pat D. (pat0814) reviewed January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her on + 379 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This heart-wrenching account of a father's attempt to come to terms with his daughter's mental illness defies summary. Michael Schofield gives us a glimpse into a world where Janni becomes increasingly delusional despite his early attempts to define her hallucinations as a product of her brilliant mind. When their second child is born, the Schofields have to defend him from Janni's attempt to physically harm him. The descriptions of sheltering him from his sister while incurring injuries to themselves from her attacks are among the worst images in this saga of their life with Janni. No one who hasn't endured the heartbreak of a child with a mental illness can fully understand their journey, but we can all appreciate the depth of their love. I applaud Michael Schofield for his candor in this frank portrayal of living with their daughter's mental illness. It is past time to give mental illness the same understanding and respect that we give to physical illness.
Sandi C. (gotfilm) reviewed January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her on + 3 more book reviews
Very interesting story, worth the read.
loregess reviewed January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her on + 175 more book reviews
I want to thank Goodreads and Crown Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book through a First Reads giveaway, and for opening my eyes to the harsh reality of childhood-onset schizophrenia.
Michael Schofield chronicles his bittersweet journey into finding help for his young daughter, January, who was born with the illness. As I read what he and his wife went through, I experienced a gamut of emotions: frustration for our inadequate health care system, desperation for he and his wife to find peace, and hope for January to have a happy, healthy and hallucinations-free life.
I praise the family for sticking together and doing everything absolutely necessary to help their daughter through this disease, and pray that whatever obstacles come their way will only make them stronger. And I hope Schofield appreciates the strong support he has in his wife. I was put off by the way she was portrayed in this book. Michael spoke as if January would never have received the help she needed were it not for his sole efforts. Yet it was his wife that recognized that the daughter needed help as she immediately picked up on the daughters erratic behavior having to do with something a lot more serious than her high IQ and creative imagination. He makes up for it in the Acknowledgements section of the book where he recognizes that he didnt bear this cross alone and thanks his wife for being there for him and the kids every step of the way. Kudos for that and continue to remember that whatever is happening to you is happening to her as well. You are not alone.
Michael Schofield chronicles his bittersweet journey into finding help for his young daughter, January, who was born with the illness. As I read what he and his wife went through, I experienced a gamut of emotions: frustration for our inadequate health care system, desperation for he and his wife to find peace, and hope for January to have a happy, healthy and hallucinations-free life.
I praise the family for sticking together and doing everything absolutely necessary to help their daughter through this disease, and pray that whatever obstacles come their way will only make them stronger. And I hope Schofield appreciates the strong support he has in his wife. I was put off by the way she was portrayed in this book. Michael spoke as if January would never have received the help she needed were it not for his sole efforts. Yet it was his wife that recognized that the daughter needed help as she immediately picked up on the daughters erratic behavior having to do with something a lot more serious than her high IQ and creative imagination. He makes up for it in the Acknowledgements section of the book where he recognizes that he didnt bear this cross alone and thanks his wife for being there for him and the kids every step of the way. Kudos for that and continue to remember that whatever is happening to you is happening to her as well. You are not alone.
