One of the most shocking and meaningful experiences I have ever had was the cooperation with people with schizophrenia.

Before that, I was already familiar with neurodiversity of people - NEURODIVERSE is a term I really like. 

“Neurotypical” is a newer term that's used to describe individuals of typical developmental, intellectual, and cognitive abilities. Individuals who live, for example, with autism, are on the spectrum, or who have other developmental differences are referred to as “neurodiverse.”

So, before studying schizophrenia I worked already with people with Down Syndrome, autism, and other “labels”, but only working so closely with people with schizophrenia has really changed my life. I was 20, maybe 21.

I studied theatre, and I believed that theatre (and art in general) can be this special space where we all are equal.

Studying in theatre academy myself I was sick of academic art and conservative, ‘exclusive’ forms of expression for ‘elite’. During my second year I joined a few theatres that were socially oriented, and I learnt to work with those who were mostly “excluded” from our society - people with mental disabilities, diseases, as well as seniors and underprivileged youths. In 2002 I met Opera Buffa - a theatre group of people with schizophrenia which I got really fascinated with.  One day, when I was going for their rehearsal (I was writing a thesis about their ‘Hamlet’) I met 3 actors, who got lost in the building. We joined our forces and walked together, but we were totally lost, and just couldn’t find the right place. People with schizophrenia may look and behave a bit “differently” sometimes. One of my companions looked actually like Vladimir Lenin, and conscious of this fact was always introducing himself as this soviet dead leader (I never came to know if it was a joke or his ‘schizophrenic’ identity), another one was speaking to us using only poems and rhymes, and the third one was sharing the story about her traumatic visit of Mother Mary last night, who was angry and came to punish her for something she did to her daughter. Despite the fact that these people behave a bit “odd” I really had a nice walk and talk with them all, they were - as always - full of respect for me, smiling and showing their big interest in my studies, my day, my opinions…We had a good time. Walking for several minutes like that through the labyrinth of the building, all of a sudden we met a bodyguard. We asked him where to find the room with a theatre rehearsal, and he looked at us totally shocked and scared. He was not able to hide his fear, but also - his contempt. Our question was clear and simple. We were polite and nice. Our conversation was ‘normal’. But as we looked differently, like a group of crazy people (yes, even me, I guess), we didn’t get an easy answer. We were judged, despised and labeled. At that time, in his fearful and critical eyes I understood how difficult the life of my companions can be everyday… I can just imagine how each time they have to have any interaction, meeting or exchange - they always are removed how “different” they are, and how they generate the fear in others.

That was this moment when I saw the full and extreme version of a social and cultural injustice. It felt sad, wrong, disturbing.

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I spent a few years with my new colleagues from Opera Buffa, even though it was not always the easiest experience for me. Schizophrenia is a heavy disorder, full of negative vibes, dark energy and fears. As a highly sensitive person I absorbed this negativity too often, but I learnt a lot. People I met there taught me forever not to label anyone, not to judge and not to contempt. Each of them was an amazing person - full of ideas, imagination, talents, stories to share… just like each of us. Inclusion is one of my biggest principle - in life, in art, and in yoga.