I totally agree with you. Even folks who are not mentally ill but just different in their own right are not accepted. Our culture has not progressed, it has regressed in our acceptance of all kinds of differences.

As a home provider and day support staff for folks with all kinds of disabilities, I am keenfully aware of how they are treated in the community, at home with familly members and friends and in the work place. Some of the folks I work with have mental illnesses along with other disabilities. When in the community with them, I have found that how I deal with them, how I present myself with them, can make a huge difference in how they are treated.

Jobs these days have progressed to certain levels where the concepts are hard to grasp for those with a disability (no matter what the disability is). Much of the work is computerized in nature and is geared to customer service. That is not to say that folks can't learn it or become good at the job, just that it may take a longer training period and finding the right employer who is willing to go the distance is most difficult get through.

I believe that every single person has a gift to give. Finding the right avenue so that person can share it, is the difficult part.