Gregory-My Friend

I met Gregory five years ago at the Walmart store while doing my Christmas fund raising. He lives nearby and I would see him nearly everyday and we would visit. He is hard to communicate with because he is nearly deaf. He has a neat appearance and is very alert and intelligent. I was surprised when he told me this year he is schizophrenic and on medication. Even after learning this I do not think of him as being mentally ill-I think of him as my friend, which he has been now for over five years.