Oddly Normal

  • Birth

    January 3, 1996, is when Joe Schwartz was born
  • Joe goes to school

    Joe goes to school. His parents and teacher begin to realize he is not like other kids.
  • Grade 1

    In grade one, Joe's teacher and parents realized how Joe does not react well to stress and was developing anger issues towards the teacher. this leads to his teacher trying to diagnose him with possible disorders as an excuse for the teacher's lack of help in the classroom.
  • Grade 2

    Joe had a better teacher than last year. Developed negative ways to deal with stress such as biting his hand, biting holes in his shirt, anger out lashes, etc. Joe started acting different and not truly himself because when he was less "girly" it was less stress with society and classmates but as causing more stress for himself.
  • Grade 3

    Joe's grade 3 year was just okay. Kids were mean, the teacher wasn't the best, but it was still a decent year. Nothing too negative happened except bullying that the teacher had ignored. Whenever a student would purposely upset Joe, Joe would have a negative reaction. The teacher would only say something about Joe's reaction and not the bullying.
  • Grade 4

    Joe's grade 4 teacher was handpicked by his previous teacher. The previous teacher picked this teacher because they thought this teacher would be the best fit for Joe. This teacher bullied and targetted certain kids in this class and Joe happened to be one of them. The horrible teacher was affecting his mood and how he acted. This teacher also tried diagnosing Joe with disorders too. Parents and school created a plan for joe in the classroom when things got too overwhelming.
  • Sexuality

    At a young age, Joe realized he was different from the other kids. He was bullied throughout school for being flamboyant, having more friends that are girls than guys, being into more feminine things, etc. At the age of 12, Joe had discovered what homosexuality is and told his parents that that is what he is.
  • Diagnosing

    After years of suspecting something different about Joe, one day he told his parents that he heard voices. They sent Joe to therapy and discovered the voices were created from trauma. Joe had mental distortions but was not harmful like the principal was trying to use as an excuse to expel Joe.
  • Education on LGBT+

    Joe's parents decided that since their son was gay, they wanted to educate themselves as much as they can fir when Joe feels comfortable enough to actually tell them. There are four different types of minority stress which can negatively impact people in the LGBT+ community. They went to meetings to see other parent's perspectives from when their children came out.
  • Handbook

    Joe's parents felt that the principal was out for them. The principal was trying to get Joe expelled and saying that he is dangerous around other kids. His parents and therapist developed a mini handbook about Joe, what he is like, what he needs, etc. Since the principal knows what Joe's teacher is like. When Joe is upset he can lead the class and go to the speech therapy room and cool down. Joes grades improved, voice went away and his mental state improved.