Building Systems That Work Starts With Asking People, “What Do You Need?”
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Building Systems That Work Starts With Asking People, “What Do You Need?” And Recognizing Them As Integral Parts Of Our Community—Voices Worth Hearing.
Lost Patients Episode 6 Recap 🎙️🎧
Dear Supporter,
The 6th and last episode in our Lost Patients series, “Disease Without Knowledge,” chronicles the powerful transformation of Lew Middleton. From DESC staff member to powerful advocate, Middleton's journey illuminates the life-changing impact of stable housing in recovery.
Lew's story highlights a central truth: when people have their basic needs met, they can rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to our community.
Housing gave Lew stability and the space to recover, and he went on to serve as Washington State’s longest-tenured certified Peer Counselor. A beacon of hope for others, he used his lived experience to guide and uplift those still struggling.
At DESC, we work tirelessly to create a community where people living with mental illnesses have access to the support they need, and are accepted, rather than ostracized. As Alix Van Hollebeke, DESC’s former Nursing Director, shared in the episode:
"We want to get to the point where [clients] get to live their life, even if it’s weird and different and we don’t understand what it’s like. But they get to live their life as they want to live it, with maybe a little bit more sparkle than the rest of us.”
Missed Episode 6? Click below to join the conversation:
Lew and Alix’s experiences demonstrate what becomes possible when people living with serious mental illness have access to stability and when their voices are valued equally. As Carolyn, another voice from the series, explains, the kind of support people with mental illness need to heal includes:
“A system integrated with the community so that even if you’re symptomatic, you can still have a trip to the grocery store, some sort of system where you have people checking in on you, helping with your medication, guiding you, and taking you out in public so you’re not lost on your own.”
DESC brings this vision to life by creating inclusive environments where clients feel valued and supported. Our personalized approach addresses individual needs with acceptance, offering support through guided outings, check-ins, and help with daily tasks like grocery shopping.
This comprehensive care helps clients maintain independence and community connections, reflecting our commitment to a society where everyone can thrive despite mental health challenges.
A donation today helps provide someone living with mental illness the support they need to thrive - all within a community that values and uplifts them. We work every day to create this community. Will you join us?
We'd love to hear from you. This episode concludes DESC’s exploration of the Lost Patients podcast series. We hope you found the journey inspiring, enlightening and informative. Your feedback is valuable—please take a moment to share your thoughts with us via this short survey at this link. You may also contact us via email.
Missed a part of this series? Click on this link to recap the journey through the Lost Patients Podcast series, which has now concluded. We’d love to hear your feedback as we reflect on this exploration together!
Lost Patients is a production of KUOW Public Radio and The Seattle Times, in partnership with the NPR Network. There is no financial relationship between KUOW Public Radio, The Seattle Times, NPR Networks, and DESC. DESC did not have a role in making the podcast. Our thanks to Esmy Jimenez, Sydney Brownstone, Will James, and Liz Jones for their important work creating this series.
