need to add title here

Mr. Lopez Meets Mr. Ayers

March 22, 2009 8:26 PM

Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill musical virtuoso, was discovered living on the streets by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez. Morley Safer reports on the unbreakable bond between them.

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by DarlaJaneLindenmayer October 9, 2009 11:13 PM EDT
Music to chase away the demons.....

"Music is saying that life isn't that bad."

Amen Mr. Ayers! The movie inspired me and then watching this piece gave me chills to see the remarkable friendship between two men. Music seems to be what holds him together and keeps him sane, although their are those moments where you know he is in the schizophrenic world.

But to close your own eyes and listen to him, it transposes you into his realm of the spirit of Beethoven, the spirit of God, and love. I am amazed and wish that I could meet Mr. Ayers and listen to the angelic songs that he plays with his hands.

He is truly a gift from God! Bravo Mr. Ayers and Bravo Mr. Lopez for being a friend!
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by harvardjaw September 13, 2009 11:47 AM EDT
This is a timely and relevant story. I read the comment on ECT and although it has been used successfully on some people with depression, it is not a treatment for schizophenia. The new medications are wonderful in treating this disease but require lots of monitoring. I have worked in the field for 21 years. I found many mentally ill gifted in the arts. Too often our government cuts the mental health budget to generate funds for other things and the ill are too ill to organize and fight the diversion of funds. Could you see Mr. Ayers fighting to increase the mental health budget? Until there is an increase, the mentally ill will be treated or cared for in prison and homeless shelters. (Kudos to anyone who is caring for their loved one at home.) Sad but true.
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by yoda226us September 12, 2009 11:03 PM EDT
http://www.profoundstates.com/my_response_to_mr_lopez_meets_mr_ayers.htm is my response to this show/story.

I couldn't fit what I wanted into your character limitations. So I put my whole response onto my web page.

Sincerely;

Mike Beaver
http://www.profoundstates.com
http://www.profoundstates.com/book.htm
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by Bellasmommy2 August 18, 2009 9:19 PM EDT
I knew a man for many years since high school. But when he turned 24 he started hearing voices and doing very strange things. He would disappear and then one day at a gas station, while he was filling up his vehicle with gas, he met an upset lady. She had no car and needed to get some place. My friend gave her the keys to his car and told her to keep it. He would have no where to stay and a few times a friend would only let him stay in their garage for the night. They didn't trust him in their house because of how bizarre he would act and talk to him self. He thought he was God. He would try to preach to people while he was homeless. One day his mother tried to find him and get him some help. He was living in Colorado at the time but his mother gave him a ticket to get home to Idaho. She finally convinced him to go to the veterans hospital where eventually got psychiatric help. With medication he is now able to live in an apartment on his own. He collects well fare and tries to make it on his own, but sometimes has very little money to make ends meet. If it wasn't for his mother, he might be dead by now, living in the streets could be very cruel. I just hope someday Mr. Ayers could get help with his condition. But convincing a person that they have this disease is very hard to do.
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by bruisedreed April 27, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Mr. Lopez has received publicity and profit from Mr. Ayers. Mr. Ayers will remain for his entire life in need of care. Care costs money. In the ad in the Los Angeles Times re. the movie and the book, Mr. Lopez was very vague regarding the financial arrangements, if any, with Mr. Ayers. He spoke of giving him a "portion" of his proceeds, and of giving him "consideration." Normally, in an arrangement like this, Mr. Ayers would be represented by counsel who would negotiate favorable terms in his behalf. Was he? Please provide us the specifics of what financial benefits Mr. Ayers received, After all, the focus of the book and the movie is that Mr. Ayers, though talented, is needy.
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by tierra8 March 26, 2009 4:19 PM EDT
The story of Mr. Lopez and Mr. Ayers was quite moving but it was disappointing that 60 minutes continues the "myth" of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) having terrible effects on depressed individuals. I have known of at least 3 individuals, including my parent, who have been saved by ECT and have recovered from totally debilitating depression. Perhaps Mr. Ayers had ECT when it had not been perfected as it now has. I would recommend that you read the article by Kitty Dukakis written for the San Barbara Newspress on March 26,2009. I hope Mr. Morley Safer might do another story to point out how ECT has saved many from suicide. When many hospitals are no longer providing this service, it is critical that the public be informed of how necessary ECT is as a medical service. Thank you for considering these comments.
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by Stephanie6350 March 25, 2009 8:44 AM EDT
I was touched by watching this story as well as reading the book, The Solist by Mr. Lopez. We just don't know when a mental illness will strike it's head in ourselves or a family member or a friend. Watching and reading this book about Mr. Ayers, makes me look at someone who is suffering from a mental illness much differently, more compassionate. Listening to Mr. Ayers play is comforting because in his music, he can find peace and comfort. I am glad that Mr. Lopez choose to write about Mr. Ayers, glad that the members of the music community have embraced Mr. Ayers as well as the Lamp staff. This story touched my heart as well as made me cry. Thank you so very much for bringing Mr. Ayers to the world's attention which in turn has brought those who are suffering from mental illnesses to the forefront and hopefully others will be helped by this wonderful story. Thank you so much.
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by nettiehiram March 24, 2009 11:52 PM EDT
I was truly touched by this story. I wish Mr Ayers well and pray that he will seek help. Unfortunately, his prior treatment discouraged him from receiving futher treament. Mr. Lopez is a trooper. It was nice of him to take Mr. Ayers to his home to meet his family. I know that the book about this story is good and I plan to read it. I know that the movie will be good, as well. Thanks Mr. Sayer for a great story.
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by aliciacohen March 24, 2009 8:02 AM EDT
True art. True genius. And true humanity.
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by enovicoff March 23, 2009 7:58 PM EDT
BRAVO!
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by shpak-2009 March 23, 2009 5:16 PM EDT
There's no comment that I could add that hasn't already been said by the others! It's a truly touching and beautiful story of music and friendship! In viewing this story I recognize how much music is truly my home at heart! Always has been and always will be!!!
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by virginia_perry March 23, 2009 4:52 PM EDT
Last night after many moving stories Morley and 60 minutes had one of the most touching, simply told stories I will ever hear. Mr. Ayers is not just a musician but a true poet, ill or not. As Mr. Lopez indicated, there will be no "miraculous" recovery, but something there is something beautiful here. I don't know that the movie with its sterling cast could be better. Best wishes to all and thank you 60 minutes for the pureness of this; I hope it helps to ease the suffering just a little for all those dealing with this disease. This is how a story of a person should be, dealt with in dignity and respect - thank you Morley and 60 minutes, and thank you Mr. Ayers and Mr. Lopez. For Mr. Ayers, I have often been annoyed by the hot, noisy, smelly, crowded city I am part of, but now I will always remember him and his music threading through the "music" a city makes. Perhaps one day Mr. Lopez, if it is safe, could take Mr. Ayers to New Orleans for a visit?
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by nwharton March 23, 2009 12:22 PM EDT
Absolutely amazing piece about Mr. Ayers, it brought me to tears! One truly glaring editing error in the video, however: At the very end of the piece he reaches a gorgeous high note, obviously played way up the fingerboard in thumb position, but it overdubbed onto video of him playing a very low note on the low end of the fingerboard. Sorry to rain on the parade, but even if you know very little about musical instruments, you know that it's a low note he's playing and that the audio was overdubbed.
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by Carole_Leslie March 23, 2009 12:09 AM EDT
At a time when the news is so loaded with fear and angst I wasn't sure I was up for Morley's story this evening. Mental illness and homelessness are bewildering and tragic. I was relieved that CBS was able to step beyond that realm and go for a message of hope and inspiration.
We are all looking for heroes these days and you've given us two gentlemen (plus an entire symphony) who are touching examples of exactly where they can be found. Also let's hear it for the transformational powers of the Arts - they surely improve the quality of our lives.
In this case the Arts provide a reason to live.
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by cybergal99 March 22, 2009 10:54 PM EDT
As the sister and Guardian of a man who was once considered a genius as a child and who has been ravaged by Paranoid Schizophrenia, I found this piece well done but painful to watch. Correct, most people who are homeless are actually Mentally Ill. I just hope the funds that are being made by this upcoming movie which details this story are going to be used to help not only Mr. Ayers find an actual home, but to help our society at large understand the truth about MI and those 60,000 folks in LA who need help. God Bless that LAMP program you highlighted. And thank you for drawing attention to this huge but very overlooked issue in our culture.
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by michaelk76 March 22, 2009 10:32 PM EDT
Whooo Rimbaud, Luatremont... Breton...are ******** in their grave....like they could never do....you thought we forgot
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by Chardonnurse March 22, 2009 10:19 PM EDT
Mr. Ayers is an inspiration and his story is amazing, yet sad at the same time. Mental illness is the "elephant in the room" in healthcare. Why has there always been such a stigma to mental illness. Mr. Ayers is homeless due to his schizophrenia. How many more people like him are on the streets? Many! The vast majority of those in the prison system suffer from mental illness. We need to pass legislation to treat mental illness as the disease it is, just as any other health issue. It is real and it drains the personal potential of many brilliant people, just like Mr. Ayers. God Bless him and Mr. Lopez for their uplifting friendship for both men.
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