Caitlin was a Doer

Val Marsh introduced me to Caitlin while I was working on a project with Virginia NAMI. As soon as I met Caitlin, I got the feeling you get when you know that you are with someone special. What I sensed in her, I now realize, was how real she was. There was not one phony thing about her. I liked her, and I knew that she liked me.

In my 30 years working in the field of mental health, I have seen few people show the level of dedication to patients and the personal integrity that Caitlin exhibited. She went way beyond acceptable limits. Watching her work always gave me a sense of hope, and I know that others got the same message. Caitlin reminded me of the reason I went into mental health care in the first place. I am going to miss getting that sense from her.

Life is very tough. In fact, Caitlin would not mind me saying…it sucks sometimes. Somehow, Caitlin was able to make it better for those she came near. She had the spiritual warmth to touch your heart, but at the same time, she remained a wise guy. She told me raunchy jokes that I liked. She had strong opinions, but never tried to justify or explain others' behaviors. Through her passion for her work, she alleviated a lot of pain and sorrow.

Caitlin was a doer.

A person who does, may not really know.

A person who knows may still not be able to do.

But a doer changes the world while a knower merely pontificates.

Caitlin changed the world she lived in.

Goodbye dear friend. You will always have my admiration…and my love.

Bill

William M. Glazer, M.D. 
Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry 
Harvard Medical School 
Massachusetts General Hospital

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