By Peter Tesei
She Sits and Wonders Why
By Milton Schorr, Family Member
When I was one and thirty, to me a child was born.
Laughter was her trademark, vivacity her norm.
She grew to adolescence, a joy to see and hear,
Bubbly, bright, attractive, by one and all held dear.
When I was one and fifty, my little girl took ill.
A glowing lass whose promise, life never meant to fill.
“Schizophrenia,” said the little man, in tone abrupt, severe.
“How long?” I queried nervously, “a week, two months, a year?”
“Oft times forever,” droned the doc, in words that seared the soul,
As he pronounced her sentence, to life without parole.
Entrapped forever behind the bars of chemistry gone awry.
Sullen, lost, bewildered, she sits and wonders why.
And now I’m one and seventy, it’s oh, so long ago.
She lives in special places, to which ceaselessly we go.
Heavier now the packages we carry to and fro,
More halting now the steps we take, by going greatly slowed.
And when I’m one and eighty, and too feeble, if alive,
Who will go that extra yard, to help her to survive?
Who’ll provide this simple soul, that destiny forsook,
With the comfort, love and oversight, the system overlooked?
This powerful poem captures the enduring love of a parent — and the invisible weight so many families carry. In telling his story, Milton Schorr gives voice to countless others navigating the quiet, unrelenting realities of serious mental illness. And in doing so, he becomes something more than a father. He becomes a voice. An advocate. A Mental Health Champion.
At Pathways, we believe a Mental Health Champion can be anyone: a caregiver, a clinician, a peer, a policymaker, or a creative force. Champions are not defined by their credentials, but by their compassion, courage, and action. They are the people who raise awareness, break stigma, offer support, and bring hope — often without recognition.
Last year, we were proud to introduce the Pathways Mental Health Champion Award, honoring filmmaker Paul Dalio as our inaugural recipient. Through his movie Touched with Fire and his open sharing of his own journey with bipolar disorder, Paul has helped countless people feel seen, understood, and inspired to speak up. His work shows how powerful storytelling can be — not just for the creator, but for all who witness it.
This year, we are once again inviting the community to submit nominations for the 2025 Mental Health Champion. We want to hear about the people who are making a difference — through their work, their advocacy, their care, or simply the way they show up for others.
You may not think of them as a “champion.” But we just might.
The award will be presented at our Annual Gala on the evening of Saturday, November 8, at the beautiful L’escale at Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel. We are honored to have Allan and Tamara Houston serve as our Honorary Chairs, and grateful to our Gala Co-Chairs Sarah Fugelsang and Tracy Schmidt for their incredible leadership. This year’s event will also celebrate Tom and Kim Athan, whose steadfast commitment to Pathways has strengthened our mission and expanded our impact. It promises to be a joyful and meaningful evening in support of mental health.
Of course, the Gala is more than a celebration — it’s our most critical fundraiser of the year. Pathways provides housing and support to over 60 individuals in Greenwich, many of whom would otherwise be homeless. We receive calls weekly from families in crisis, and we want to say yes — but we can’t do it alone.
Government funding covers just 60% of our operating costs. The rest depends on private support. In a region where the annual survival budget exceeds $39,000* — not including the intensive mental health care our clients require — your gift helps us provide more than shelter. It brings stability, dignity, and hope.
*Source: Greenwich United Way, ALICE Report
To nominate a Mental Health Champion, please visit www.pways.org/champion
Want to be part of the excitement? We’d love for you to join us! Whether you’re interested in attending our Gala, sponsoring, or getting involved, reach out to Rachel Hanley at rhanley@pways.org.
Peter J. Tesei is the Executive Director of Pathways Inc.
