When Janet Edelman's brother became ill with schizophrenia, she and her parents went through a period of mourning for what they - and the rest of the world - had lost. "My brother should have been a professional of some sort. He was bright, he was a good student, he was a very lovely person," says Edelman. "At 16, when the illness struck, he became derailed; all that promise was not fulfilled."
Now, at 54, her brother is receiving excellent care, thanks largely to his family's efforts. He lived with them up until five years ago, and is now in a residential program. "My parents are very good advocates and have been able to get him the services he needs, but not everyone is so lucky," Edelman says. "He's still a very kind and gentle person," she adds. ...
