Crystal Oranges

Simon Baird was born in Invercargill New Zealand in 1979. Most of this poetry was written when he was 18 years old. Around this time Simon was diagnosed as having Schizophrenia and has spent most of his adult life in supported accomodation or in the care of mental health institutions. Because of the progression of his illness and the medication used to treat it he has found it difficult to continue writing poetry. He however remains optimistic that one day he will be able to live normally in the community. It is estimated that mental illness affects one out of every four people in the world today.