One of the consequences of surviving schizophrenia for fifty years is that sooner or later, the cure becomes as damaging as the disease.
-- Robert Kolker (Narrator) (Prologue)

Importance: This quote clearly outlines the fact that there is currently no truly effective treatment for schizophrenia. In context, this quote is expanded upon when Kolker writes that the side effects of the drug that Donald was taking as Kolker was writing this book include heart inflammation, low white blood cell count, and seizures. By placing this quote and this information in the prologue, Kolker is highlighting the importance of continued research into schizophrenia treatments so that people like Donald can have longer, better quality lives. This quote will resonate throughout the book as readers will see two of the other Galvin brothers, Joe and Jim, die due to complications from the side effects of their medications. This becomes all the more poignant as Kolker chronicles the work...