the only knowledge i had about other schizotypal folks growing up was that we get shot and incarcerated and experimented upon for our own good. i learned very, very young that even mild hallucinations could rob you of agency, so i hid my experiences until i couldn't. even now i don't know many other schizotypal people, and anyone i might describe as a role model died at 35. i wish that someone had shown me then that the strangeness could be a source of strength and knowledge.