Amanda Lapera: Finding Dad, Paranoid Schizophrenia, Kartoniert / Broschiert

Klappentext

Keep hope alive. Amanda repeated this phrase to herself during her dad's ten-year disappearance. Even though the world had forgotten him, she hadn't.

Transformed by late-onset schizophrenia, her previously "normal" dad traversed the globe as a self-proclaimed "Prophet of God" and cycled through treatment and homelessness. After he vanished, her family assumed him to be dead.

When a call from the Sheriff's Department alerts Amanda that her dad is still alive, she embarks on an urgent mission to find and care for the dad who had always cared for her. Despite a confusing and contradictory medical and legal landscape, Amanda learns that even after all these years, no matter how hard life gets, family comes first.

Includes reading guide discussion questions.

Finding Dad is a standalone book. To better understand the history behind her dad's late-onset mental illness, as well as anosognosia, readers may find value in reading the first of Amanda LaPera's two-part series, the National Award-winning book Losing Dad, Paranoid Schizophrenia: A Family's Search for Hope.

"replete with insights ... compelling memoir especially highly recommended." -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

"This powerful and compelling memoir follows LaPera on her journey to find her missing father, Joseph... a riveting look at the devastating effects of untreated mental illness and the long-term impact it can have on families.... brilliantly written, with excellent attention to detail ... bold and intriguing ... Sure to resonate with those who have experienced similar conditions firsthand, this riveting journey leaves a lasting impression on readers.... LaPera is a tenacious and captivating narrator who expertly leads readers on this difficult, often painful, but fascinating journey. From her sense of desperation that there is no cure for Joseph's condition to her joy at the small triumphs along the way, LaPera's writing is full of deep insight .... A striking memoir of mental illness and its devastating impact on families." -The BookLife Prize

"sequel to Losing Dad ... as much a testament to resilience as it is a pointed critique of the American mental healthcare system ... exposes a bureaucracy that fails those it should protect. Despite her emotional turmoil, LaPera writes with profound empathy .... with interwoven memories, the pain is palpable as it offers a poignant account of ... how mental illness drastically impacts family relationships ... 'It's amazing how we can take the simplest things for granted. When a family member struggles with their mental health, any little victory can mean so much,' LaPera muses. This memoir is a bittersweet reflection on the endurance required to love someone lost within themselves." -BookLife Reviews

"a deeply personal memoir ... brings to life the raw emotions and challenges of searching for a loved one lost to mental illness with extraordinary grace and honesty ... strikes a perfect balance between powerful storytelling and deep empathy ... warmth in the narrative style ... complex family dynamics that mental illness creates, showing both the strain and the enduring bonds that persist through such challenges ... weaves together her personal experiences with broader insights about mental health stigma and systemic barriers gives ... crucial context for the wider world ... portrayal of unconditional love and relentless hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, creating connections that stayed with me long after finishing the book ... an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the impact of severe mental illness on families and the power of persistent love." -K. C. Finn for Readers' Favorite (5-Star Review)