Patientenakte ... patient record or chart.

Heh, good one Frida.

Having lurked for, yikes...years and having read pretty much everything on the site, I find Lynne's postings to hugely informative. I read 'em all. I admire her tenacity in the face of the pervasive (shame, really) tendency to assume the worst and react viscerally. Yes, it's human to react so but it's also wise to gain an understanding of the entire picture before letting the ol' knee-jerk.

I realise that some folks quite enjoy being spooked and scared and "creeped out" whilst others seem to almost romaticise the darker side of humanity. I tend to accept its existence, that it does exist and do whatever I can to counter that darkness and encourage light.

Might be my age here (like Lynne...dirt came after me) but I've learned to look at the entirety of an issue. Lynne has said it far better than I ever could and she's spot on with respect to *US* bearing a great deal of responsibility for some of these issues. Funding matters hugely. And with sufficient funding, those who would abuse and denigrate could be replaced so fast their heads would swim.

I'm an American who now lives in a European country and some of the differences I see with respect to health care in general and care for the disabled (mentally/physically) and the *attitude* is astounding. There is a sense here of responsibility for caring for those who do not have what "we" do and I am quite glad to see that.

Good on ya, Lynne and all the others who do that which so many of us could not begin to do. And keep on "preaching" because there are entirely too many who still aren't hearing.

DAH

Looks like someone is a leeeeeetle bit too "involved" in a video game.

Poor Lynne, I worry her hair will get stuck in that position some day. :-)

1990? I was 37. :-)

/grabs walker and shuffles out

For some reason, the first thing that occurred to me seeing this gorgeous photo was Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged.

Not at all sure why. Amazing shot though.

Steven Tyler. :-)