Perseverance driven by their personal pain

When their son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 18 in 1990 Roger and Rae Belle Gambs of Atascadero felt somewhat relieved because identifying the disease meant he could be treated.

If solitary they knew then that treatment was a lengthy arduous road ahead.

The Gambses watched Rodger use road drugs, become homeless, get arrested, move to jail and face four years in prison before finally, in 1999 he was ordered by means of the court to seek treatment.

Rodger Gambs reclaimed successfully and now lives upon his own in San Luis Obispo. His parents said he offers to keep a low profile, in contrast to their ardent advocacy.

Hoping to debar more families from enduring similar experiences, the brace has spent thousands of hours above a decade volunteering and advocating for tribe with mental illness and their families.

"I make a doom of noise," Rae Belle Gambs said. "I’m a shivered record." ...