To Whom it May Concern

To Whom it may concern,

I am writing in the hopes that you may begin to get a clear picture in the life of a ravaged mind.

Back in 1999, I was awarded custody of my brother Edward Northcutt, after he was removed by the State of Kentucky from my Mother and my Step Father for abuse.

I had no idea what I was putting myself or my Husband who was a Soldier stationed at Fort Campbell Ky in for. Due to Edward's traumatic upbringing, his highs and lows varied.

He began to act out, in the form of stealing, fighting, going to far as to be suspended not once but 3 times, and eventually expelled from the entire School system in both Tn, and Ky.

We sent him to various Doctors all of him tried to put him on medications for Add, Adhd. It failed. One minute he could be the most beautiful boy you have ever seen, the love would literally pour out of his eyes and he wouldn't understand why no one could understand him.

And the next? You would find yourself, afraid for your life.

When I finally recieved a phone call that he had been caught stealing at our Local PX and that the MP's had him and wanted to talk to me, I knew the final straw had come.

I was  only 25, and here I was with 3 children, toddlers at that, and a Soldier whose career was on the line.

The MP's told me that he had to be sent away. That there was a mandatory hold in Ky, due to the threats he made against himself. When I got there and was trying to talk to him? The most vile words flew from his mouth. You see he thought in his mind I was against him.

Because I had to put the safety of my children first.

I loved him. I raised him practically from birth. Being the shield many times from both parents, for both brothers. Taking many beatings, being thrown out in my own early teens, only to buy for them when I could.

Yet here he was in his mind, thinking he had no one.

You see when you have a mental disorder, you shut down. You are isolated, and eventually you manage to exhaust not only those who love you but the court system. All they see, is words on paper. Not the person buried inside that actually needs help.

With proper medication, it is possible.

I am asking on behalf of this young man that you give him the chance that I gave my brother.

Today he is married, and works and tries.

He has managed to keep himself out of trouble.

Please give this man a chance at the same life.

Look up the medications, find a way to give another choice. Don't do anything that is mandatory.

Thank You,

Catressa Villanueva.

Fort Lewis, Wa