Putting a Human Face on Schizophrenia

Re two Points West columns, “Violinist Has the World on 2 Strings,” April 17, and “Grace Notes of Caring in a Cold World,” April 27: The Steve Lopez piece about Nathaniel Ayers, the homeless musician, was very touching.

As a psychologist who has treated persons afflicted with schizophrenia, it was wonderful that someone would write about Ayers, putting a real face on a real man who suffers from this condition.

As a musician, it was pleasing to me that Ayers was seen as even more special because of his gift, a gift which, I am sure, has made his condition a bit more tolerable.

But, when Lopez wrote the follow-up piece, my pleasure and satisfaction were magnified. The musicians who read the first article and sent instruments were wonderful.

Lopez did a great service in making the gift contingent on Ayers’ coming to a place like Lamp Community, a downtown service agency for mentally ill homeless people.

The fact that Ayers did not follow through does not mean that he won’t eventually.

This is precisely what behavioral psychologists do in their practice.

Bravo!

Marshall Stonehill

Los Angeles