People with psychiatric disabilities can participate in their community. They can be valued citizens, but when we institutionalize them, we sort of give them permanent careers as mental patients.

Waiting is not an option for these people. Their lives are being wasted now.

There have been studies and reports issued for a number of years that have highlighted deficiencies, inadequate funding and incoherent program models. Not much has changed.

That picture only expresses what people in this community are feeling.

It's up to the community to make this event a success. People don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to participate. They aren't required to give any extra. All you have to do to participate is go out to eat in one of our wonderful area restaurants.

Always in the immediate aftermath of a disaster we have what is called a therapeutic community, where people want to help,