Man who Lost Everything Comes to Detroit to Spread Message of Hope

Recovery is Possible!

DETROIT, Mich., May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patrick Hendry lost his
career, home, wife and his sense of self because of bipolar disorder. He
spent seven years in and out of the hospital, trying every medication
available. He was desperate; he even went so far as trying
electro-convulsive therapy, similar to shock therapy.

"That was a confusing, scary and trying time in my life. You feel hopeless
and lost," said Hendry. "It's difficult to figure out what to do or where to
go next."

After years of frustration, doctor's visits and lots of different medications,
he began to understand the disorder and that's when he decided to begin
working as a mental health advocate after 16 years as a gem dealer and prior
to that, a filmmaker. "That's when I got back control of my life," said
Hendry. "So it's only fitting that I come to this one-of-a-kind international
conference being held in Detroit and tell my story!"

Hendry, along with 100 panelists and moderators and 800 attendees, will be in
Detroit next week, attending the International Conference on
Self-Determination, May 27-28th at the GM Marriott located in the Renaissance
Center. Hendry is a panelist in a session related to budgeting, fiscal
management and peer supports.

"I want people to know that recovery is possible and that people need to
understand how to be in charge of their lives and how to take control," said
Hendry who is now the Executive Director of the Florida Peer Network, a
non-profit for people with psychiatric disabilities and disorders.
"Self-direction should be the primary way that we provide mental health care
in the United States. "The combination of choice, independence,
responsibility and self-esteem is invaluable in recovery."

Hendry has also just edited and published a book telling the stories of
recovery of many Florida residents.

There is still time to register for this cross-disability, precedent-setting
conference where changing the human service structure will be discussed by
people from across the globe. Please log onto, www.self-determination.com for
more information.

SOURCE Community Living Services, Inc.

Tiffany Devon of Community Living Services, Inc., +1-734-722-7185,
tdevon@comlivserv.com