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Remembering Kendra Webdale and so many others

Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 11:43 AM by Dateline Editor
Filed Under:

by Mary Zdanowicz, executive director of Treatment Advocacy Center, cross-posted from the TAC blog January 3, 2007

Eight years ago, Kendra Webdale, a vibrant, beautiful young woman was pushed to her death from a subway platform in New York City by a man with schizophrenia, who man had a documented history of assaults and failing to follow prescribed medication regimens.

At that time, advocates like DJ Jaffe had been working for at least 10 years in New York toward a statewide assisted oupsytpatient treatment law. The commitment to Kendra's family to prevent the tragedy of untreated mental illness, coupled with then-Attorney General Elliot Spitzer’s political will, finally succeeded in achieving the reality of Kendra’s Law for assisted outpatient treatment in New York. All those who are being helped by Kendra's Law in New York today are indebted to the Webdales, particularly Kendra’s mother Pat, who continues to advocate and chairs the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Quality Improvement Panel sponsored by New York’s Office of Mental Health.

In addition to mourning Kendra, today is a day to remember some other random victims of the violence that is sometimes a result of untreated mental illness ... and the families who have, like the Webdales, opened their hearts to try to help others.

Edgar Rivera, who lost his legs after being pushed from a N.Y. subway platform in April 1999, epitomized grace and understanding when he lamented that although he lost his legs, at least he had his mind, unlike his assailant.

Linda Gregory partnered with Alice Petrie, the sister of the man who shot her husband in the line of duty as a sheriff’s deputy. Their successful advocacy lead to Florida’s adoption of AOT and they continue to advocate for more humane treatment.

Amanda and Nick Wilcox’s daughter was killed at a mental health center in California by a man with untreated mental illness. They are fighting to get their county to adopt Laura’s Law.

There are so many others-- too many to mention here-- but we particularly want to remember 11-year-old Gregory Katsnelson who was killed while riding his bike, by a young man whose family was told he was not “dangerous” enough to be helped. Before he killed Gregory that day, he also killed his own mother. Gregory would be 15 years old now -- the Katnselsons have spent the last 4 years trying to persuade New Jersey legislators to become the 43rd state to adopt an AOT law. The Senate, under the leadership of Governor Codey, passed the bill last year.

Our hope for the New Year is that the Katsnelsons will succeed as other families have in making a terrible tragedy into a legacy of hope for others ... and that better laws and better usage of and understanding of the laws that exist will mean fewer sad anniversaries like today.

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Comments

Even though this message is extremely important, it is also important to remember that violence or crime by mental health patients is no greater than the crime rate of the general population.  This is a statistic that should be also noted.  Thank-you.

A K Giles, Thaxton, Va. (Sent Saturday, January 20, 2007 4:42 PM)

One detail that came and went in the tragic story of Kendra Webdale and Andrew Goldsmith is that the mention of culpability did not include the limits that managed care puts on the medical community to do their jobs.  The managed care insititutions were not mentioned in Datelines report except as a brief interjection.  Why were they not held liable for forcing Mr. Goldsmith back out onto the street?  His repeated pleas for help were left unheeded.  He is clearly sick and anyone capable of what he did could not possibly be of sound mind.  Locking him up in a jail costs the tax payers enormous amounts of money with little or no treatment delivered to a schizophrenic patient.  No appropriate treatment is found by placing a dangerous schizophrenic in a prison - this is evidence of a rather myopic perspective and lacks compassion completely.  Wouldn't those same tax dollars be better spent on treatment in an apporpriate facility for the mentally ill??

anonymous (Sent Saturday, January 20, 2007 9:15 PM)

Why can't this country spend 1/2 of what it's spending on a war to bring democracy to a country that doesn't want it, spend that money on Mental Health Care for people that want it.  This doesn't make sense.  Mental Illness is not what this President wants to address.  Maybe he should!!

Carol Montgomery, Tucson, AZ (Sent Saturday, January 20, 2007 9:40 PM)

Hi,

I just finshed watching date line and I would like to express my condolence to the family for their tragic lost I am truly sorry for their lost; but, someone from the mental health clinic should be in prison not Andrew Goldstein, for he was not responsible It is an outrage that he is in prison for being mentally ill went the system failed him, so now they failed him twice.

PMadd, Vacaville, CA (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:15 AM)

While I empathize with the anguish this family must feel and I acknowledge their willingness to somehow improve the mental health system by creating Kendra's Law, I fail to see how sending a clearly mentally ill man to jail is serving justice for anyone. Obviously this tradgedy is an indication that our mental health systems are failing and rather than suing them for millions of dollars it seems to me this money should be concentrated on those who somehow slip through the "cracks" in the system. Andrew Goldsmith was failed first and in turn so was Kendra Webdale.

Emily Barker, Chula Vista, California (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:31 AM)

I'd like to make a correction; I was refering to Andrew Goldstein in my previous comment.

Emily Barker, Chula Vista, California (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:33 AM)

I have a brother in the vicious mental health care rejection cycle as Andrew Goldstein. (in the state of Florida) Unfortunately, he needs to be in a facility where he cannot walk off and be a danger to himself and/or others. The hospitals, police, and local mental health "drop-off for police/hospitals" are doing the same as Goldstein's mental healthcare rejectors. "There are no beds". "He was OK at the time of release to the public". My brother still talks about our mother being alive though she has been dead since 1979. He has walked in the back sliding glass door of a home with small children (out-of-his mind) where he could easily have been shot and killed (justifiably so) by the father at the home. This is just a very small sampling to let you know that he is not OK as "they" say. If anyone is tackling this mental healthcare system problem in the State of Florida and understand the "Kendra's laws", I'd like to communicate with them. Please contact me at mentalhealth@cox.net

Moskey M, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 3:02 AM)

Dear Dateline,
I am a regular viewer of your show, butI was deeply saddened and disappointed by Datelines representation of the discription of schizophrenia. Although my heart goes out to the family of Kendre, I feel you fell short of your intent. You failed to mention that some, not necessarily All exhibit violent behavior. I have cared for my schizophrenic sister for nearly 30 years, I must reiterate that not ALL schizophrenic's are violent, just as not All men are abusers, nor are All news shows sensational. My sister is actually one of the most loving people I know and would never hurt anyone or anything. I feel you have left another gaping hole in the severly misunderstood world of mental illness. Perhaps it would be more responsible to educate the public on this horrible disease. Which effects nearly 8 million people in America today, than to misrepresent this illness in it's entirety. I feel that you have only put more fear in the minds of Americans which only isolates the mentally ill more. For your info NOMI might be a good start. Did  you not see the movie "A Beautiful Mind"?

Yvonne Sklar, Palm Desert CA. (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 8:46 AM)

MY BROTHER PAUL, JUST DIED IN SEPTEMBER FROM AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE. HE WAS SCHIZO-EFFECTIVE DISORDER AND SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH VIOLENT TENDENCIES.  HE JUST GOT OUT OF MENTAL INSTITUTION IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND THEY WERE TOLD BY JUDGE TO PUT HIM IN HALF-WAY HOUSE WHERE THERE WOULD BE SOME SUPERVISION BUT THEY PUT HIM IN AN APARTMENT IN THE WORSE PART OF TOWN THAT WAS A DRUG HOUSE.  HE THEN STARTED TO USE DRUGS AGAIN AND WITHIN 3 MONTHES HE WAS DEAD OF AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE.  DOUGLAS COUNTY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DEATH.  MY FAMILY IS CONSIDERING GETTING A ATTORNEY TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PROVE THAT THE SYSTEM LET HIM DOWN.  i DONT KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD DO, IF ANYTHING,BECAUSE EVERYTIME WE TRY TO TALK TO SOMEONE WE GET THE RUN AROUND. MY BROTHER WAS ONLY 33 YEARS OLD.  iT WAS SUCH A TRAGIC WASTE.  WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?  THANK YOU LINDA LIEBAERT

LINDA LIEBAERT, SUPERIOR WISCONSIN (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 11:49 AM)

Kendra and many others would be amoung us today if the ACLU had not convinced some idiot, liberal judge that it wasn't right to lock up people like Andrew Goldstein. So today our streets are full of people who can't take care of themselves and are a danger to themselves and others.

J. McLauchlin Sequim, WA (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 5:48 PM)

As I understand it, Kendra's Law and others like it in other states, while well-meaning, have problems. It is often applied to people who are not at all violent or dangerous. Most people with schizophrenia, even if not taking medication, are not violent. (DJ Jaffe was quoted as using the horror of (rare) violence to help pass commitment laws against nonviolent people.) For some patients, medications don't work and/or have distressing side effects. Also, since mental health resources are already stretched thin, this law forces some nonviolent people who don't want help into the system while forcing out others who do want help! (Andrew Goldstein wanted help and was forced out even though he was violent.) An understaffed underfunded mental health system is sometimes an emotionally and physically unsafe place to be. Healing and care cannot take place in unsafe environments. So the mental health system needs to be greatly improved. Inpatient or outpatient commitment laws, coercing individuals into these sometimes unpleasant or unsafe conditions, should not be imposed on those living peacefully in the community for simply disagreeing with uncertain "experts" that they "lack insight" into their illness.
http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/interim_letter.htm
http://www.furiousseasons.com/archives/2006/05/a_tacy_move.html
http://community-2.webtv.net/stigmanet/KENDRASLAW/
http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2000/privileges.htm

Phil Thompson, Los Altos, CA (Sent Sunday, January 21, 2007 7:10 PM)

I have been the target of harrassment by a diagnosed schizophrenic for the past 3 years. This individual was a former co-worker and knows where I live. The individual has become more obsessed with hearing my voice tormenting her and though I have made police reports, gotten several restraining orders that really has no effect on someone who is paranoid.  Most recently I was advised by local police that she has threatened to kill me. Though she was taken into custody for mental evaluation, I was told I cannot know whether she is being treated, or anything else pertaining to her.  It's the law in Arizona. As you can imagine I live under constant stress and fear. I can only hope she doesn't fall through the gaps in the mental health system.  Not much comfort from my point of view.

D. Videtti Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, January 22, 2007 3:17 PM)

I have a loved one living with Bi-polar and schizo-effective disorders.  He is a very gentle soul.  It has been very difficult to find the correct medications to control some of his symtoms.  The stigma that goes with mental illness is difficult enough but when you see how difficult it is to get the care that is necessary to help individuals try to live a normal life they just aren't there.  My son is fortunate that his father and I are able to help but what will happen to him when we are gone. When we look for an appropiate place for him to reside there just aren't enough safe places.  He could not have done for himself what we have had to do to get both financial and medical help for him.  The journey is a lonely journey for these individuals.  We are a great country but we need to do more for our mentallly ill citizens.  You would not put an alzheimer patient out on the street but you will a mentally ill person.
More shows with the delima that families are facing with a loved one that is suffering from mental illness need to be aired showing what they go through.  

M. Houliaries, Florida. (Sent Monday, January 22, 2007 3:20 PM)

My condolences to Kendra's parents and admiration of their diligence in getting Kendra's law in place. I know their pain since my son David Fisher was also killed by John Hyde in Albuquerque. Kendra's law has become an important issue in the state of New Mexico as well as the city of Albuquerque especially since Albuquerque's mayor signed Kendra's law but it was then overturned by a Judge here in Albuquerque. However I feel confident that it will eventually pass even though there is much opposition.  This is a law that was put into place to protect the innocent as well as to protect these people from themselves. I would also like to bring up the fact that for some reason our local NBC affiliate chose to pull this Dateline episode and this important story about Kendra. I would hope that future stories with such an impact would not be withheld from viewers especilly when there is so much at stake. This is a critical issue and it should not have been swept under the rug.

Dave Fisher, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sent Monday, January 22, 2007 4:14 PM)

I have read all the blogs and must say that some of you are very narrow minded,ignorantand cruel.  My son has maniac-depressive illness inherited from his grandmother.  He did not show symptoms until he was 18-19 years old and then one day he wanted to take an axe to work to hurt other employees.  At that time I knew I had a mentally ill son and that has lead up to the past five years of doctors, medicines, clinics and alot of family love and understanding.  We have problems and most of them stem from the county and state only wanting to have the minimal staff and financial budget to help those with mental illness.
Counties, state and federal funding is best spent with politics of who to please to keep my position as governor, senator, congressman or President.  In my county our mental health clinic has over 1000 patients with minimal staff that are burnt out and frustrated.  This means that the staff only give out minimal to protect their own sanity.  Kendras Law is only as good as the politicians that recognize it and are willing to help those with mental illness as they may do for physical handicapps.  Minimal will never work, you must maximize efforts to overcome the results.  In this case it's recognizing those with mental illness, formulate a plan, then execute the plan to help them have a happy, loving fulfilling life as I am doing for my son. He is no less deserving than any "Normal" citizen of America.

Michael Martin, Federalsburg, MD (Sent Monday, January 22, 2007 8:21 PM)

HERE IN PA. THEY DO NOT HELP THE MENTALY  ILL EITHER,  I THINK THE REAL CRIME HERE IS THE ACLU AND PEOPLE LIKE THEM  GETTING RIGHT S  TO THE ILL THAT THEY CANNOT MAKE A INFORMED DECEISON THEY CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE MEDICINE AND THEY ARE ALLOWED THEY GET INTO TROUBLE AND THEY FINALLY GET ADMITTED FOR THE MOST MAYBE 24 HRS. NOT ONE OF THESE PATIENTS KNOW HOW TO COME TO TERMS WITH THEY MUST TAKE THEIR MEDICINE AND WORK WITH THE MEDICAL DR.'S TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE FOR THEM THEY JUST DON'T TAKE IT. AND WE ALL PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES AND POOR JUDGEMENTS.  THEIR KIDS HAVE A TERRIBLE LIFE WITH THEM , THEIR MOTHERS ARE DRIVEN TO THEIR GRAVES AND FEAR IS JUST THE NORM.  WHAT IS THEIR TO DO?  GET THE LAW MAKERS TO CHANGE THESE STUPID LAWS WHAT MENTALLY ILL PATIENT KNOWS THEY HAVE TO TAKE MEDCINE IF THEY WANT TO LIVE A HALFWAY NORMAL LIFE?  ALL THEY REMEMBER WHEN THEY ARE HAVEING A BAD DAY IS THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE THE MEDICINE EVEN IN THE HOSPITAL.  THIS IS REALLY WRONG.

BURKHARD FAMILY, JOHNSTOWN, PA (Sent Monday, January 22, 2007 10:33 PM)

I have a schitzuphranic neighbor which really scares me. I always know when he's having a bad day. He runs all over his property yelling out at the top of his lungs, for hours at a time, but that's not what scares me! He has already come over to my property,right in my driveway,  at 2:30 A.M. And has fired a gun! I'm not the only one he has threatened with a gun. This man is a danger to himself and others, yet the police do nothing about it! I'm afraid for my life and the life of my animals. I live alone since my freind died last year. It's obvious this man needs to be on treatment! I don't know what to do. I'm disabled and on a fixed income, so I can't  afford to move,although that's what "Henry" wants me to do. He tries to intimidate others as well. I live 70 miles up in the mountains and have almost 4 acres so it's not like he's living right next to me.Is there anything I can do? I've tried to be freindly. One minute he seems okay but in the next he's bouncing off the walls. Even the police officer witnessed this behavior. Can you help?!?!

Afraid in Hayfork, California (Sent Monday, January 22, 2007 11:52 PM)

PLEASE HELP ME PLEASE HELP IF YOUR A LAWYER I NEED HELP BECAUSE THE FBI & ATF HAVE TOLD ME SOME THINGS THAT DISPUTE WHAT MY DOCTORS ARE TELLING ME AND I NEED THE EXPERT TESTIMONY OF THE AGENTS

BILL SPANN JR. INDIANAPOLIS IN. (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 8:25 PM)

Pat Webdale:  I sympathise with your loss and admire your efforts on behalf of the mentally ill.  Why then did you agree to put a sick, sick person in prison for 25 years?  On Dateline you said you wanted justice.  If so, perhaps you might find a little more compassion for the mentally ill and review the agreement you made with the procecutors, and have this poor sick individual put into a hospital for 25 years, never to be let out.  That would be justice.

When you think of your terrible loss you might find some consulation in the fact that it was not your daughter that did this terrible "sick" act; and think about how you would feel if the "system" got away with it, the victim's family got $$, and your daughter was locked up in prison for 25 years for being sick. Justice!?

What other illneses is punished by long prison sentences.

Paula, Stamford, CT. (Sent Wednesday, January 24, 2007 8:43 PM)

What's unfortunate is that since Andrew Goldstein had already assaulted multiple people, he would have already been arrested, prosecuted, and jailed if he had not been mentally ill. Breaking the law, whether a person is mentally ill or not, is reasonable cause for detention and loss of freedoms. The duration and nature of that (whether probation, short or long term prison, short or long term hospitalization, parole, supervised living, etc.) should depend on both the type of crime and the mental health status of the offender. The mental health care system is poorly equipped to deal with people who have repeatedly assaulted and threatened people or committed other crimes. The prison system is poorly equipped to deal with people who are mentally ill. They both need to be fixed.

Phil Thompson, Los Altos, CA (Sent Thursday, January 25, 2007 10:01 AM)

Attn: Dateline.  This is Paula from Stamford.  I did not write the above comment and it does not reflect my feelings.  If you can't write what I said - don't write anything at all. Please remove it.

If Andrew Goldstein had a tumor on the brain, did what he did after his condition was mistreated the tumor would be removed and he would be sent home. Its highly unlikely he would have to go through two trials and negotiate a 25 prison term with procecutor,just because he was sick. Law or no law.

Paula, Stamford. CT. (Sent Thursday, January 25, 2007 12:40 PM)

Attn: Dateline:  This is Paula from Stamford again.  Sorry I read the comment under my name, not above it. Please ignore my last message.

Paula, Stamford, CT (Sent Thursday, January 25, 2007 12:42 PM)

To all Mental Health Advocates.

Lets organize.  The squeky wheel gets the oil.  Its time mental illness got equal rights. March on Washington,if that's what it takes.

Angela, Greenwich, CT (Sent Thursday, January 25, 2007 1:27 PM)

There are so many unaided people with a mental disablity that are not being helped. May God bless the AOL for the help that is spreading across the nations
Dianne Matthews

Dianne Matthews, Long Beach, CA (Sent Friday, January 26, 2007 9:55 AM)

As a strong NAMI advocate for the mentally ill here in NYS, I have strongly supported and urged our legislators to pass the 2006 renewal of Kendra's Law. My heart goes out to the Webdale family who must endure this never ending loss and pain. As the mother of a son with mental illness, I too, have lived over 25 years with my grief as I struggle to be a loving, supportive only parent to a kind, gentle young man who has been victimized by so-called healthy minded persons. On one occasion, a group of teenagers poured lye over his head causing severe scalp burns and hair loss and not one person came to his help. Thankfully, under my vigilant eye, he is compliant, takes his meds and works his daily program with his Case Manager. However, I am 75 years old, who will care about him when I am gone. Society needs more education about mental illnesses, which is not discriminatory and can touch the lives of anyone at anytime. Noone is immune.  With many of our troops returning home with severe trauma, Dateline would be a great source to wake up our country and our legislators to put more treatment plans in place for the mentally ill.  

Anne Cucchiara, Glen Oaks, NY (Sent Friday, January 26, 2007 2:12 PM)

THERE ARE STILL ENORMOUS GAPS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM.  I RESIDE IN MY OWN APT. WHERE MOST OF US HAVE SOME FORM OF MENTAL ILLNESS.  MY NEIGHBOR WHO IS SCHIZOPHRENIC AND STOPPED TAKING HIS MEDICATION HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL SOURCE OF DANGER PARTICULARLY TO THE NEIGHBOR RESIDING BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE MAN WITH SCHIZPHRENIA.  THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A FIRE, WHICH JEAPORDIZED ALL OF US LIVING HERE (SET BY HIM), HE IS UNDER THE DELUSION THAT MY QUIET, UNOBTRUSIVE NEIGHBOR IS 'OUT TO GET HIM', HE HAS THREATENED OTHER PEOPLE LIVING HERE, WAS PHYSICAL WITH ANOTHER, AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESTROYING HIS APT.  NOW GET THIS, WE LIVE DIRECTLY BEHIND A POLICE STATION, WHO ARE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL, AND THEIR HANDS ARE TIED 'UNTIL' HE EITHER HARMS HIMSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.  THE COUNSELORS AT THE CENTER ARE HELPLESS UNLESS THE 'SEE HIM ACTING OUT'.  THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THINGS NEED TO CHANGE.  THIS MAN IS GOING TO EITHER HURT HIMSELF, OR SOMEONE ELSE OR SET FIRE TO OUT BUILDING, AND ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT.  TIL WHAT?  HE COMMITS MURDER?  EVIDENTLY SO, THEN, SOME PUBLIC DEFENDER WILL 'GET HIM OFF ON AN INSANITY PLEA', AND HE WILL DO THIS AGAIN.  HE'S BEEN IN AND OUT OF AN INSTITUTION AND DONE DAMAGE BEFORE.  WHAT THE HELL ARE WE ALL WAITING FOR?  YES, OK, THERE'S A FINE LINE, BUT A CRIME IS A CRIME.  I HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS, BUT I SURE AS HELL KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.  AND I'M CONVINCED HE DOES TO A DEGREE, AS ALL THE CRAP HE PULLS IS ONLY WHEN MANAGEMENT IS NOT AROUND OUR BUILDING.  SO THERE IS THE FINE LINE.  MAYBE IT CAN START BY TALKING TO OTHER MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE, MAYBE NOT, BUT I KNOW SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE.  LET'S FACE IT, THERE ARE MENTALLY ILL WHO ARE A DANGER TO OTHERS, AND THERE ARE MENTALLY ILL WHO LIVE A 'QUIET, SOMEWHAT, NORMAL LIFE'.  YOU, AS THE MEDIA HAVE THE POWER TO START SOMETHING, SO DO THAT.  THIS IS REAL LIFE, AND I AM CHALLENGING ALL OF YOU IN THE MEDIA.

LINDA , ALTON, ILLINOIS (Sent Saturday, January 27, 2007 10:02 PM)

My name is Kairi Bailey. 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. What none of you supposedly well-meaning citizens mentioned is that the drugs used to treat schizophrenia are the most toxic psychiatric medications. Combine this with the anger most people feel about being forced to do anything, and the results are predictable. As long as there are people forcing treatment on people, there will be more Andrew Goldsteins. And I too know about the tragic loss of a loved one - for all you bastards out there in the audience.

Kairi Bailey, NY, NY (Sent Sunday, January 28, 2007 11:10 PM)

As someone who knew the Webdale family growing up in Fredonia, I often spent a Saturday or Sunday in church with them and their children. I commend Mr and Mrs Webdale. They and their children are taking action to make sure that Kendra's shocking death was not in vain. Andrew Goldstein was bounced through the system, and the Webdale's have a right to hold the system accountable.  

erin joyce, gainesville ga (Sent Wednesday, January 31, 2007 11:06 AM)

There is an organization for advocates and families of the mentally ill - its called NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI).  Look it up on the web, join and together we may be able to get the same recognition as all other chronic illness - diabetes, cancer, etc.

Paula, Ft. Myers, FL (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:54 AM)

The Webdale's would have done everyone a favor by going after the institutions and insurance company because, it was really managed care that required Goldstein leave treatment regardless of how dangerous he was. The Drs. who write the reports that put him out the door also should pay their share. Regardless, of the time limits managed care puts on these places the Doctors should be honest in writing their medical reports or have their licenses revoked.

Cam Dahl, Stevens Point, WI (Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007 1:54 AM)

I just watched the story of Kendra. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family. I am just outraged that our mental health system left this guy out to do such a horrific crime, I am in no way sticking uo for him, However I think he should of gotten life in a mental hospital. I feel he could be released before time and possibly do this again.
Again I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the Webdale family

Sherry, New Jersey (Sent Sunday, March 25, 2007 5:18 PM)

I might be missing something here, but according to my understanding, it was determined that the crime was committed based on the man's hatred of women and was not a result of his schizophrenia.  Otherwise, he would not have been found GUILTY of the crime.  So, if the crime was not a result of his schizophrenia, why did the victim's family pursue the passage of Kendra's Law?  It seems a bit hypocritical, don't you think?

V Tobin, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Sunday, March 25, 2007 5:38 PM)

As a person who lived with someone with a serious mental disorder...I must say...The criminal Justice system is a JOKE...Not only did this person get around the law...he still calls 2 this day....As a nation we are hiding and masking this serious issue, instead of treating it as a mental disorder.
   it appears as though...The SURVIVOR"S
Are not only forgotten but traumatized more...By a system that ....passes the buck, the blame and the responsibility...Until we TREAT the problem ...
instead of ignore it....many more will suffer.
in my case a local radio station...even played a haunting request from this person....The one who not only tried 2 take my life....but threatened all those around it ...
As a Society we not only encourage ignorance, but promote it... As I watched this show...
I could relate 2 the lack of Compassion and lack of responsibility....4 the All involved...  

forgotten in the wake... (Sent Sunday, March 25, 2007 5:39 PM)

Would like a copy of Remembering Kendra Webdale episode.

Vince Flores (Sent Monday, July 23, 2007 10:51 PM)

This has been an unfortunate event which brings public awareness. We need to be pro-active instead of reactive by educating the public and work together collectively to bring  Kandras law nationwide with out harming the human rights issues.  Faezeh Andrews, Ph.D

F. Andrews, Ph.D Cape Coral, FL (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 12:18 PM)

I am a mother of a by polar schizophrenic son who refuses to take his medication. I have seen his anger escalate. I fear he is going to hurt someone or possibly himself. I have contatacted the governors office,the Mayors office,doctors,councelors,State Police,town Police,Mental Hospital,Cit office,Deptmartment of health etc. I have told them all about how dangerous he is and no one will listen their is nothing they can do untill he huts someone or himself. I have hit every reasorce I can think of I'm draned and discouraged.

Elizabeth Albuquerque N.M. (Sent Monday, August 27, 2007 5:24 PM)

The death of Kendra Webdale was a tragedy. However, I am disgusted with Dateline's sensationalizing of this sad, tragic event and the warped presentation of some of the facts and circumstances.

I feel that the show furthered stigmatization of those of us challenged with serious Mental Illness.

I heard "Dangerous Schizophrenics, like
Andrew Goldstein..." at least once. Can you imagine the uproar in the wake of a televised piece on Autism that used that same sort of discription? "Dangerous Autistics, like ______" I've worked in schools and community settings with both Adults and Children with Autism and had my eye nearly taken out and near misses with bites but I would never think to refer to them as "Dangerous Autistics." No apples and oranges about it. Apply the context. Compare this show with all the positive, supportive anti-stigmatizing media spotlights on other health issues. As far as the medication issue goes, for persons with Mental Illness--it's a crapshoot: each brain is different. Sometimes medication makes a world of difference, sometimes it helps marginally, and sometimes it does nothing to really ameliorate an individuals condition.

The comments by Mr. Martin and Mr. Thompson are spot on btw. I echo those sentiments.


Chris, Charlottesville VA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:44 PM)



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