Dear Editor:

The article, “Coming Clean” was brought to my attention for my opinion as a therapist. Having read the article that I know is not a police report, nor necessarily the facts of the tragedy, I am absolutely appalled by the statements of Stepping Stone’s CEO deMiranda. The callous, disparaging and discounting remarks by this pass-the-buck, indifferent and insensitive chief executive officer are shocking to say the very least. It is astonishing that public funds are going to support such an insensitivity and soulless response to this loss of life. Well, Mr. deMiranda you are truly a CEO of our times—right up there with those who executed Enron, AIG, Fannie Mae…the list goes on.

Very truly yours,

Dr. Ann D. Clark

Chief Executive Officer

ACI Specialty Benefits Corporation A global provider of EAP, Work/life, Wellness, Concierge, and Crisis Support services.

Dear Editor:

I am responding to your editorial that unfairly painted Stepping Stone Recovery Center as a culprit in Robert Curry’s suicide. This is a preposterous claim. I attended Stepping Stone’s outpatient program with Mr. Curry several years ago and remember how he suffered from major depression. The staff treated Robert with dignity, facilitated his transfer to Enya House and made sure he was equiped with the resources he would need to lead a productive life in recovery. It is unfortunate and tragic that Robert took his own life. That being said, accusations and finger pointing leveled at Stepping Stone doesn’t honor his name, it only discourages suffering alcoholics & addicts in the GLBT community from getting the help they so desperatly need. Knowing Robert, he wouldn’t want that to happen!

Robbie Stinson

Dear Editor:

Not enough words can express my disgust for the above editorial. Is this meant to be provacative? What professional or even rational minded person would place blame on anyone for suicide? This is an embarrassment, and inexplicable at best. I have worked in social services for years. Never have I ever heard of anyone, let alone a newspaper, blame anyone for suicide. You consider yourselves to have professional integrity? You want to be taken seriously? Who wrote this obvious agenda fueled, irresponsible piece?

Steven Hall

Dear Editor:

You Hack! I am so irratated by your article on stepping stones, and while you blame them for the unfortunate suicide , you do not mention how many lives they have saved. I have known people with 17 years of clean and sober time and even over 25 years who had comminted this horrible final act, and although it is truly sad , there is no way to know when someone is telling the truth , or what is really going on in someones mind. You make it sound like they are responsible for everything someone does in recovery and though it is truly a sad thing , the best one can do is guide, and be an expample , and share their experience , streagth and hope. Outside of that , no one can control what someone is thinking or may do

Anthony Gordon

There seems to be a pink elephant in the room yet no one sees it but a few people. Maybe people should consider the fact that the Gay & Lesbian Times has given well over $50,000 in grants helping them out, therefore why would they point a finger now, if there wasn’t cause. Its time for Stepping Stone to be transparent. They want to run their agency like a corporation, THEIR way. That is fine, but there are consequences to our actions as we all well know. What ever happenend to the sole purpose of Stepping Stone?

Thank you GLT for your candid comments about this issue. Some where along the line decsions get made in our organizations that change the face of their inital mission. More often these changes happen in small degrees which the at times may seem like the right thing to do, only realizing later that we have drifted way off course.

Stepping Stone was created for our GLBT commuity with the hopes of helping those people suffering from a horrfic disease to get the much needed help.This was created with volunteers who commtied their time, experience, strength and hope to relate in a way that the suffering aloholic or addict could relate to. One example I can recall is, when the decision was made to no longer allow volunteers to paticipate and give back to the fine orginization was a day that changed the face of Stepping Stone and the impact to our local recovery community is obvious.

There is an outline that was prepared by our pioneers of recovery. Words of wisdom inspried by a “Power” greater than ourselves along with the experience as the recovery movement came of age. These principals found in the 12 Steps, Traditions and Concepts are sound principals for a foundation of living that works.

Perhaps the lesson here is the people involved at the decision making process of Stepping Stone get back to the basics of what recovery is about in all of these principals. Remebering also that the heart of a volunteer is one of the most precious assets organizations like these can hope to attract.

Program grants should not come before the good of the organization as a whole. I will watch what you do Stepping Stone decision makers to see what you do with this opportunity for growth and change. I wish you all the best and will keep you in my prayers.

Everything is in perspective! As I read the blogs on here (mostly from newer graduates of Stepping Stone), it strikes me that they (the new generation) could have nothing more than gratitude for the program they attended there and subsequent recovery. And so they should! However, as a long term member of AA and the sober community here in San Diego, I remember the pride the LGBT community had in the social role model program that once graced the walls of Stepping Stone. Gone are the days of a less clinical staff and volunteers that devoted their time, energy and money to promote one of the best social role model programs that ever existed in GLBT recovery.

The newer grads of Stepping Stone have no clue of better days, because they weren’t there to see the miracles that occurred in greater number and frequency of days gone by.

If Stepping Stone wants to be a completely clinical recovery program, then they need to be held accountable for their licensed clinical staff just like any other health care professional is, and subject to licensing and state regulations.

That being said, I for one personally hold Stepping Stone and it’s staff accountable for the death of Robert Curry. As health care professionals you failed to follow standard operating procedure that every clinician understands with regard to people who report they are suicidal. Wrongful death, malpractice, professional incompetence, are all words that come to mind with me as I hear more and more about the inept way the staff at Stepping Stone handle this situation. What a tragedy!