These are just awesome peer professionals giving their stories. I feel blessed to call these folks friends and colleagues! I believe that they are some of the best testiments to the power of our movement and experiences, Pennsylvania has to offer.

Link Here to see the video!

...and PUSH the "PLAY" Button

Memorial of Recovered Dignity

A beautifully eloquent new exhibit and website: ( All information w/in this ddescription:©Copyright 2010 Memorial of Recovered Dignity All Rights Reserved)

The Gardens at Saint Elizabeths: A National Memorial of Recovered Dignity
The Gardens at Saint Elizabeths is a national memorial to remember once forgotten psychiatric patients. In addition to remembrance, it will also be a place of recovery offering dignity and hope to anyone living with mental illness.

Within this web site you can find out about the plans for a National Memorial, its history, a traveling exhibit, and how you can help.

Out of Silence: A Voice
It’s happening all over the country: 25,000 nameless graves discovered in Georgia; 5,000 canisters of remains found on storage shelves in Oregon; and 600 remains stored in cardboard boxes in Hawaii. These are just a few shameful stories of “unknown humans” whose remains were neglected on the grounds of state psychiatric hospitals.

Stories like these have inspired advocates across the country. Volunteers are working to restore cemeteries on the grounds of psychiatric hospitals, returning dignity to those who were segregated, died and forgotten.

Gayle P. Lorenz
Meadville Tribune

MEADVILLE — Gayle P. Lorenz, 76, of 10282 Circle East, Meadville, and formerly of Titusville, died peacefully Friday afternoon, May 7, 2010, at Meadville Medical Center following a brief illness.

Mrs. Lorenz was born May 23, 1933, in Cisco, Texas, a daughter of the late James H. Parrack and Tomie Breedlove Parrack. She graduated from Eastland High School in Eastland, Texas.

She married Edward A. Lorenz Jr. on Dec. 20, 1951, in Eastland, Texas. Mr. Lorenz died July 27, 1994.

Gayle was employed as a supervisor and coordinator of the Pennsylvania State IM4Q Project in Crawford County and a staff member of the Consumer Satisfaction Team of Crawford County. She was a member of Pennsylvania State Mental Health Committee; a life member of National Alliance of the Mentally Ill; a past board member of Crawford County Human Services; served as a host parent and local representative for AFS; was a former member and past president for Titusville Womans’ Club; served on the Womans’ Club State Board; and was a current member of St. James Memorial Episcopal Church.

Survivors include three children, Edward A. Lorenz III and his wife, Debra, of Oil City, Susan Turner and her companion, Thomas Amon, of Titusville, and Bobbie Gay Lorenz of Meadville; two granddaughters, Rachel Gayle Lorenz of Derry and Alexis Katherine Lorenz of Oil City; a grandson, Jason McCauley of Seneca; a great-granddaughter, Abigayle DiMichael; AFS mother to Lisbeth Blok of Denmark and Udo Esser of Germany; her significant other, William H. Kelly of Conneautville and his children Kate Kelly of Waterford, Kayce Kelly, Kraig Kelly and Kody Kelly, all of Conneautville; and several nieces and nephews.

Gayle was also preceded in death by a daughter, Terry Lyn Lorenz, in 1959.

No calling hours will be observed.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday at St. James Memorial Episcopal Church from 10 to 11 a.m., at which time the funeral will be celebrated by Father William French, pastor. Inurnment will take place at St. James.

The family suggests that memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Western Region, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15205-4620, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Leo N. Hennes Funeral Home Inc., 203 E. Main St., Titusville, Pa. 16354.

Condolences for the family can be sent to hennesfuneralhome.com.

Voices of Hope and Recovery from VA DBHDS on Vimeo.

VOICES (English version) from Spora Films on Vimeo.

We will document more about this on the web page shortly. Until then the report can be downloaded from the Reports page.


CSTAP 2008 ROSI Presentation from Danny Wildasin on Vimeo.

Just had to share this jyous act of health and well-being...

Take a look HERE