Today, Larry Would Smile His Toothless Smile and Say, "I Love You, Mary Lane"

Thank you, Stephanie.  Do you realize we are pro se?  I believe God wanted me free to write and advocate for acute mental patients, and with an attorney, we would likely have been very restricted as far as speaking about our case.  Therefore, God sent us no attorney.  What happened to Larry is echoed throughout the land to varying degrees.  More than 30% of America's inmates are mentally ill.  Some of them are not as fortunate as Larry was, to have a family who loves them.    I believe we were left without legal representation in order that ours could be a voice for incarcerated mental patients, and through our organization, AIMI, dozens of others are joining us monthly.

Many acute mental patients are without adequate support by the government, their communities, and even their close family members.  There remains a negative stigma attached to mental illness that is transferred onto a patient's close relatives.  With some patients, there are valid safety concerns.

Things are improving in America for the mentally ill.  This year, our government has become more responsive to the need to improve mental heath care for Americans.  Our congresspersons and senators passed two major pieces of legislation to benefit our nation's mental patients within the past four months.  Congress just passed another historic bill on October 4, and it is only one step from becoming law.  The Bush Administration reported a significant decrease in the nation's homeless rate, due to a program to create permanent housing for the chronic homeless population.  Community outcry has increased following deaths of mental patients being apprehended by police.  National organizations, such as Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), NAMI, and Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and grassroots organizations, like SPAAMI, ISF Foundation, and others, advocate for mental patients diligently.  My family and the members of Assistance to the Incarcerated Mentally Ill (AIMI), founded after Larry's tragic death, have joined in the efforts to better address the needs of the least of these, His brethren.

I appreciate your concern very much, Stephanie.  I promise to take care of myself, but we work very hard to see that justice is done for Larry and that his death serves to help other families avoid similar preventable tragedies.