A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her

I have read some really harsh reviews of this book but I say "it is not our job to judge". No one knows whatbthey would do unless they have actually been in the situation themselves. I think the author is being brutally honest in this book. He could have left out the unflattering parts but he did not. I was captivated by the overwhelming challenges this family is faced with every single day. I think this book gives a good look into this child's illness and daily life.

The misconceptions about schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are abundant and spread like fire through the Redwoods. In our society the word 'psychotic' is used interchangeably with the term 'serial killer' and after incidents like the James Holmes/Colorado tragedy...well you can see why most people who suffer from hallucinations aren't quick to come out and dispel the myth of all schizophrenics being violent. The ones who are often have been victims of long standing glitches in our mental health care laws. The ones who aren't cringe when bad news related to schizophrenia erupts, hide their heads and pretend to be typical (if they can).
But just as I'm feeling alone, doomed to hide, stigmatized and ashamed, along comes this tiny, blond pixie--just a wisp of a person--with the voice and courage so many of us lack, speaking freely about her challenges (If you haven't caught her story on Discovery Health, I'd highly encourage you to do so. It is worth your time) shouting through the megaphone held by her parents, Susan and Michael, forcing the world to hear...
Let's just say, suddenly my fears seem downright ridiculous. Jani is only ten. I have three additional decades of 'wisdom' to her one. What the heck am I hiding from?
People fear what they don't understand. The time has come for people to understand the truth about schizophrenia. Not what is portrayed in the movies. Not what the lamestream media wants to publicize, but The Truth, all of it, even the parts that aren't pretty (not many are).
Go on, say the word. Let it roll around on your tongue a bit before forcing it past your lips into the open air.
Feels weird, doesn't it? Not so bad, right? Now, try to attach it to someone you love: your best friend, your sister or (God forbid) your own child. Ask yourself this: if my child were suffering, what would I want the world to know about them? How would I want them treated? How would I cope? Who could I trust? Where would we go? How would we function in this place where people shield their eyes and run?
Bet you can't even begin to guess. I'm going to go so far as to say, I bet many a reader will pick this book up, read a few chapters, form a few misguided opinions about bad parenting, set it down and thank their lucky stars that it isn't THEM who is affected--it isn't THEIR child lashing out, talking to trees (or dogs or unicorns or demons or...pick your poison here) lost in the world, relying on psychiatry to catch up to the rest of modern medicine and praying people will be kind.
But it could be you. If it could happen to Jani, the offspring of two intelligent, loving parents who doted on her and held every aspiration of sending her straight to the top to take over the world, it could happen to you. It happened to me. It happens every day, to families everywhere who feel they have to walk around stigmatized for a biochemical grenade which buried itself in their loved one's brain and blew up when they least expected it.
And that, my reading friends, is exactly why you need to read this book.
Not only is it well written, it is gritty, raw and truthful. It doesn't paint mental illness in any light other than the one that illuminated the Schofield family. And their light, no matter how much it dimmed, never went out.
Instead it became a beacon of hope.

I found this book extraordinarily moving and informative. I think most of us have loved a child, at one time or another, who had some problems. But the problems I saw are nothing compared to the agony these parents have gone through. The author's vivid writing style and thoughtful reflection made me feel their pain and despair right along with them.

I found it amazing that they coped as well as they did. Our society doesn't have the resources, or knowledge, to help with this kind of severe psychosis in a child. I was amazed at how well they hung on.

I have followed her story on own and various interviews! This family is truely courageous and determined. I am thrilled to have found her story in print. I am only sad it wasn't longer. I would reccommend this book to anyone going thru hardships in life that want to believe in the human spirit and the love of family. A great story!

Great read...Candid and raw, Michael Schofield shows sides of himself most would be afraid to talk about. He pulls no punches and gives the reader a real inside look not only at what having child onset schizophrenia is like, but also what being a caregiver of a child with severe mental illness is like.
Insightful and deep, touching words from a father's point of view. Michael allows us to see his own fragility and we root for him and Susan to keep on going and not give up.
Jani could have easily wound up in an institution, but her parents refused to let the madness consume their daughter...inspiring!

I've always struggled to finish books. Between lack of time to sit and read to having trouble staying focused, I've finished few books. I'm excited to share that I finished my first book on my kindle fire, January First! Highly recommend reading this book to anyone who finds interest in mental health and who has a passion for children and families!

Jani's family stole my heart. The father, Michael, who wrote the book details the neverending battle against his daughter's mental illness. And does so in a way that makes one truly understand just how many aspects of all lives involved are damaged. Michael is a father all men should strive to be like. An amazing book.

I read this book the weekend after the Sandy Hook tragedy. I think it was very pertinent to what happened in CT that day, as far as understanding a little better how such severe cases of mental illnesses can be overlooked by the medical community. Michael Schofield's experiences are heart-wrenching. He is honest about everything he and his family goes through, whether good or bad. This family's story helped me to understand what parents of the mentally ill go through, and why they do some of the things they do. A must read!

I have followed this young lady from the first time I saw her on tv...it's wonderful she has gotten to where she is at now..I commend her parents for sticking with what they went through. Mental health is something easily misunderstood....(I come from a family with a bipolar mother) thank God for parents like these!!!

Good book but I found the author, Michael Schofield, not very likeable. In fact, I found him annoying and dislikeable. Even though I feel great sympathy for his situation, his treatment of his wife, and his expressed feelings of superiority in almost every situation, did not endear him to me. Since I have a child and a grandchild who have mental health issues, I was totally prepared to empathize with him but I just felt sorry for his wife having him as a husband in addition to having two severely mentally ill children.

Really great story gives great insight to the struggles this family has been through, God bless these parents they
have truly done everything possible to give this beautiful child the best life she could have.people don't realize how hard this can be unless they have been there...

A real life look wonderfully told about schizophrenia in a young child and how this illness affects not only the patient but everyone around them. January First takes you through the ups & downs of trying to diagnose a child with a mental illness and then how to care for the child and still live life.

I have followed this story on Oprah, it really opened my eyes , and my heart just goes out to Micheal and Susan. Wow you both are amazing people, your strength and love for your daughter is just inspirational. I pray things continue to get better as Jani grows up,she has great parents!! Thank you for sharing your story we need to be aware of mental illness and be more companionate .

This was an interesting read into a specific case of mental illness. It was unfortunately about a young girl, afflicted at such an early age, she knew nothing else. I really felt for the family as they lived their lives through the everyday struggles of dealing with the unknown, and trying to understand what was happening with their daughter. It helped me to understand schizophrenia a bit more, and the agonizing, daily torment the sufferer goes through. It's a sad disease to say the least. This young girl's family has altered their life to help their daughter. I wish them the best!

People who bash the honesty Michael Schofield expresses when referring to his wife and their relationship likely have no clue what they are talking about. I'm guessing these people have not had their own marriages tested by the phenomenal stress of this situation. Probably if Michael's wife had a problem with his honesty she would have left the relationship. I commend them on their partnership parenting in often volatile situations. It's amazing they are still married when they have absolutely no time to devote to one another. It is clear that they share a valiant commitment to raising their children and constantly advocating for their best interests.

Regarding Michael repeatedly referring to his daughter's IQ, I would be proud of my daughter's IQ as well. I find it fascinating that so many people who are gifted also experience these brain illnesses. What is the connection? It will cause a parent to wonder often, if my child is so intelligent, how and why are their brains possessed by these illnesses?

In my experience, people who have not lived through these situations DO NOT and possibly cannot begin to understand the depths of turmoil for the mentally ill person in the family, as well as every other member of that family. I have read this book twice, crying through it the second time.

I commend you Mr. Schofield, and your wife. There are no breaks on this road. Thank you for your honesty, about your relationships, your battle with various mental health systems and schools, and your own personal struggle to survive depression. Your book is a help to any parent who has been or is going through this most difficult situation.

People who bash the honesty Michael Schofield expresses when referring to his wife and their relationship likely have no clue what they are talking about. I'm guessing these people have not had their own marriages tested by the phenomenal stress of this situation. Probably if Michael's wife had a problem with his honesty she would have left the relationship. I commend them on their partnership parenting in often volatile situations. It's amazing they are still married when they have absolutely no time to devote to one another. It is clear that they share a valiant commitment to raising their children and constantly advocating for their best interests.

Regarding Michael repeatedly referring to his daughter's IQ, I would be proud of my daughter's IQ as well. I find it fascinating that so many people who are gifted also experience these brain illnesses. What is the connection? It will cause a parent to wonder often, if my child is so intelligent, how and why are their brains possessed by these illnesses?

In my experience, people who have not lived through these situations DO NOT and possibly cannot begin to understand the depths of turmoil for the mentally ill person in the family, as well as every other member of that family. I have read this book twice, crying through it the second time.

I commend you Mr. Schofield, and your wife. There are no breaks on this road. Thank you for your honesty, about your relationships, your battle with various mental health systems and schools, and your own personal struggle to survive depression. Your book is a help to any parent who has been or is going through this most difficult situation.

michael schofield did an amazing job of telling his experience raising his daughter jani, i am fascinated by this subject and i thought that schofield did a wonderful job of telling the story from a father's perspective

This book is definitely one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read! The journey this family endures is more than any parent should go through with their child. This book opened my eyes to a world I could relate to. I would highly recommend this book. Schizophrenia should only be diagnosed by meeting all criteria, and there is no doubt in my mind this little girl has Schizophrenia.

Absolutely fascinating story of the love and devotion and the strength needed to raise a loving child with sever mental disabilities: I have followed this story and family for years and I just loved the writing in this book. The story just captures you-following January's ups and downs in an intimate way makes you feel for every member of the family: She is an amazing child, with amazing parents who are her biggest cheerleaders-god bless them all.