Candy, this topic seems to have punched you in the gut what with losing your Pdoc and all. I worked for close to 20 years in a position where I saw people mistreated by a system on a daily basis and I helped them navigate their way through this. It pisses me off more then I can express. Along the way I worked on what I could realistically do and what I would leave undone. I agree about your letter to a legislator or congressman. That is doing something. Maybe even writing the family of the man is a gesture of comfort you can offer. And then I am going to say something I want you to hear as you know my heart and I would only offer a loving hand to you.

Move on and care for yourself and continue the good deeds you do. That is what it's about is how we live each day. We can spread so much kindness, it's catching. Let one car out into traffic and that car will stop and let someone else in. We all suffer. Live is full of suffering and pain. And it's full of what we can share and leave behind. You are leaving love and kindness in your footsteps.

My brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 19. He has been a horrid person and lives like a hermit stuffed in the woods. He has no safety net and no quality of life. He actually tore apart his house piece by piece because of delusions. He had guns until someone finally smartened up and took them. His illness has made him into someone I really don't like. But, no one there checks on him or anything. I would check on him if I were there. I would try to let him know I cared somehow. No one gives a crap about him and he suffers tremendously. Your man had a life of giving and loving. How cool is that? I fully expect my brother will murder someone someday and it will probably be a family member or law enforcement. His delusions are so horrific. He has broken arms and ribs of brothers who are restraining him when he is trying to do damage. He has been bound and driven by ambulance on more then a few occasions to the hospital.

I guess what I am trying to say is that we all do what we can. I share your outrage at the lack of a safety net for this man. And we do what we can and try to focus on that. I am happy this man had a loving/loved life with people. He was not alone.

I hope this makes sense. It's hard for me sometimes to communicate the way I wish.