Who's Crazy: An Art Installation About My Experiences Working with Mentally Ill and Developmentally Disabled Adults at Living Ways, Inc. : A Written Statement

Abstract

The author describes the pieces in her mixed media installation reflecting on her experience working with schizophrenic and bipolar residents of a group home. The author states “Working at Living Ways, Inc. has provided me with a deeper understanding of mental illness, particularly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I also have learned a lot about why the mentally ill are in group homes like the one I work for- many adults with disabilities are homeless, abandoned by their families, or cannot function in society by themselves. I also found that the mentally ill and developmentally disabled adults are an isolated group in our society who face many misconceptions and stigmas portrayed by the media.”