Ribnitz-Damgarten: Michaela fights against schizophrenia and finds her life back!

Ribnitz-Damgarten: Michaela fights against schizophrenia and finds her life back!

In the heart of Ribnitz-Damgarten, 34-year-old Michaela Junk is fighting the challenges of her life. “I want to lead a completely normal life,” she says, speaking to many people’s hearts. Michaela grew up with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a congenital disorder that affects around 10,000 children in Germany every year. The background to her story is both shocking and inspiring. Due to her birth mother's alcohol abuse during pregnancy, she grew up in a foster family along with six siblings who also had to live in similar circumstances. She was diagnosed with developmental delay in kindergarten and had to come to terms with a diagnosis of mental retardation beyond her control. 

Another stroke of fate was the later diagnosis of schizophrenia. Michaela suffers from anxiety that makes everyday activities, such as climbing stairs or using elevators, immensely difficult. She hears voices that are often offensive and sometimes spends phases in internal isolation. Despite these enormous challenges, she never lost courage. In 2023 she received support from the “Kiek In” psychosocial center in Ribnitz-Damgarten. There, their progress benefits from assistance in everyday life, excursions and creative craft activities. The managing directors of “Kiek In” are at Michaela’s side and actively support her in her pursuit of more independence.

Strong together in everyday life

Michaela is a living example of the progress that the right support can bring. She has learned to walk independently and now dares to take the bus. “It’s a good step for me,” she says proudly. The employees at “Kiek In” are enthusiastic about her progress and confirm that Michaela is not only dealing with her illness better, but is also showing increasing self-confidence. “We notice how she is blossoming and daring to try new things,” reports Jasmin Onkelmann, one of the managing directors. This support is crucial as the number of people in need of psychosocial support continues to increase.

The challenges Michaela overcomes are not isolated. People living with FAS often require lifelong support. Early help and qualified services can have a positive impact on your life. Michaela herself has the dream of going to work in the future and earning her own money. For them, this is an important goal on the way to a self-determined life. “I want to show that it’s not just about the illnesses, but also about what you can achieve,” says Michaela, radiating determination.

Social responsibility

Michaela's fate is a powerful reminder of how early interventions and the right support can be crucial. FAS is a health challenge that cannot fundamentally be cured, but can be positively influenced through targeted therapies and psychosocial help. Prevention and early diagnosis are essential and can help counteract secondary disorders such as unemployment or mental illness. It is a path that many, like Michaela, have to take, and it is up to society to create the necessary framework for this.

Despite her hard journey, Michaela shows that life is full of possibilities when you have the right support network. Her story is an inspiring example of what a self-determined life can be, even if the starting conditions were anything but ideal. Their determination is a message to everyone: never give up! You are never alone on your journey.