Clozapine Success Stories

CURESZ “Schizophrenia Survivors” are people who are thriving despite a past diagnosis of schizophrenia, and live lives of meaning and purpose. The following remarkable people have recovered from schizophrenia on the underutilized “gold standard” medication clozapine. See all forty of our schizophrenia “Survivors” who have recovered on various medications here. If you have a question for one of the Survivors, contact Bethany here. Learn more about clozapine here.

Lucas Peluffo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young adult, he experienced two psychiatric hospitalizations. Thanks to treatment with clozapine, he recovered 20 years ago and has had no relapse. Today he works translating English to Spanish, and is a secretary in a medical center.

Tyson McGuire is a student at the University of Cincinnati working toward a bachelor’s degree in physics and a joint master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Following his high school graduation, he won a full ride to attend UC starting in fall of 2016.

Rhea holds a BA in sociology from Columbia and a Master’s in Disability Studies from the City University of New York, where she graduated in May 2022. Currently, she does research on OCD and early psychosis at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and looks forward to applying to PhD programs.

Daniel attended SUNY Purchase University where he studied screen and play writing, and founded the Standup comedy club, graduating in 2015.He currently works as a comedian in Manhattan, and helps run the nonprofit “Team Daniel Running for Recovery from Mental Illness” with his family.

David holds a Master of Social Work degree from New York University. He runs a thriving and busy private practice as a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) specialist in New York City and sees about thirty patients with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and schizophrenia per week.

Chelsea Kowal has lived with schizophrenia since beginning college. Despite several hospitalizations and refractory symptoms, she is now recovered on clozapine. She graduated with her master’s degree in biomedical engineering in 2013, and is currently applying to PhD programs to continue her study of engineering.

Michael has been in meaningful recovery from schizophrenia for three and a half years. He enjoys attending the College of the Ozarks where he studies social work as a full-time undergraduate. In 2019, Michael founded a “NAMI on Campus” support group for the Metropolitan Community College of Kansas City, and he continues to volunteer.

Millie Vine’s love of food, background in food science and restaurant experience allow her to prepare gourmet meals for busy families with the hope of creating her own catering business. She would like to become an advocate to show others that people with schizophrenia can be successful like anyone else.

Carson is a dual mathematics/computer systems engineering major at Arizona State University scheduled to graduate in spring of 2024. He also works as a tutor.

Kirk Reitelbach has worked as a full-time paralegal for Disability Rights Ohio since 2012. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Dartmouth University.

In 2020, Emeka Chima earned an Associates of Arts degree from Montgomery College and later in 2022 a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland Campus in the field of Information Systems. At Montgomery College, he was a Dean’s List recipient twice, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor’s Society. He currently works as a Peer Support Specialist for an outpatient mental healthcare clinic for first episode psychosis adolescents and young adults.

Eric Smith is a musician, composer, and a loving family member. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio in psychology, and recently graduated with his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in December 2021. He is now a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in the state of Texas.

Alexandra Johann is certified as a peer support specialist in the state of Louisiana and as a career coach by PARW/CC, which stands for Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches. Today she serves as Director of Community Engagement for the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA).

After Robert’s recovery from schizophrenia, he attended college full-time for two years and received his Master of Social Work degree in 2006. In 2009, he earned his LCSW. Today, he has worked as a mental health therapist for 15 years.

Ravi Sarin is 48 years old. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 16, he has enjoyed 26 years of thriving life. Today, as a member of an ACT team, he helps people with mental illness find the treatment they need to rebuild their lives.