Stars and Skeletons: Tales of Life with My Schizophrenic Brother

by David Robinson

A true story of amazing recovery — A memoir and a coming of age story that reads like a novel.

Follow the author, Dave, and his brother, Tim, from the joys of childhood to the troubling surprise of severe mental illness in adulthood.

Join them as they face the pain and darkness, seemingly without guidance or instruction. Tim loses himself in a world of psychotic delusions and confusing, terrifying thoughts. He becomes dangerous, especially to himself, and is eventually diagnosed with Chronic Undifferentiated Schizophrenia.

Through years of setbacks, faith, medication, and hard work, the brothers' relationship deepens as they refuse to give up hope for recovery.

In the appendix of the book, Tim himself shares some of the powerful tools he's learned that help him now lead a healthy and productive life.

370 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

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Reviews

[Brynn Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My step dad wrote this book with his brother about his experience with Schizophrenia in his 20s. Incredibly moving and inspiring.

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Robinson has been diagnosed with Chronic Undifferentiated Schizophrenia. This disease first started to manifest itself when Tim was fourteen years old, perhaps triggered by a traumatic move from a rural to an urban setting. Tim increasingly “began to listen to the words that came into his mind, attributing divine guidance to pretty much whatever thoughts occurred to him.” This culminated in Tim cutting off his hand in an attempt to destroy a limb that he imagined might harm his parents. Thankfully, surgeons were able to skillfully reattach his hand, and Tim began to get the medical help and medications he sorely needed. This was a new beginning for Tim, but it was just a beginning. He sagely noted that “improvement isn’t automatic; the meds don’t make me any wiser, and they don’t improve my abilities . . . I still have to figure out how to make a life for myself.” Thankfully, he received needed support from an older family friend, Ned, who mentored Tim on his Northern California ranch. Sadly, Tim’s story is not unique and echoes the struggles others have faced with schizophrenia (see Nobel prize-winning mathematician John Nash’s story in the movie “A Beautiful Mind” and read “An Unquiet Mind” by Kay Jamison). However, Tim’s story is hopeful in that he was also sustained by his Christian faith and his hope in ultimate healing in the resurrection. Unfortunately, schizophrenia is not curable. But it can be managed by proper medication and a knowledge that the Great Physician will carry the sufferer through the battles. The book ends with Tim providing “Seven Tools from My Mental Toolbox” as well as an afterword by Tim’s therapist. I highly recommend this book; Dave Robinson is an excellent writer and conveys a positive attitude regarding Tim’s arduous journey.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brother’s loving and honest story about his brother who struggled with schizophrenia. It’s sad, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful at different points of the book but it really showed how family/friends loved and supported Tim through this long battle with schizophrenia.