People are always amazed when I tell them I have a mental illness. They will often say "I would have never known if you wouldn't have told me". I just love when this happens. I love to feel the state of amazement from that person at that time. This for me is one of the greatest ways to help eliminate stigma, misconceptions and discrimination against people with mental illnesses. By being in front of such a person and demonstrating to them live, in person, in front of them, that I am a human being just like everyone else and like themselves, I am often able to give them a true example of the opposite of what they were taught, what they heard or the stereotypes of what a person with a mental illness is "supposed" to look and be like.

Mike Santoro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE 80/20 Project wins Accolade Competition

La Jolla, California, June 20, 2008 - The 80/20 Project, a Zestemedia & Midacom co-production from Montreal, Canada, has won a prestigious Honorable Mention from The Accolade Competition. The award was given for the film’s unique vision on living and coping with a severe mental illness.
"I am extremely honored and humbled by this award. I would like to thank the actors and everybody involved for their precious contribution" Mike Santoro/ writer

The Accolade recognizes film, television, and videography professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry. Information about The Accolade and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theaccolade.net.

In winning an Accolade, Zestemedia & Midacom joins the ranks of other High-profile winners of this internationally respected award. Thomas Baker, Ph.D., who chairs The Accolade, has this to say about the latest winners, "The Accolade is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world. The Accolade helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptionally high quality of entries. The goal of The Accolade is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve."

For more information, please visit the Mike’s Story web site at www.mikesstory.com.

I am not good at expressing myself in words, but this event deserves a high five, good job and keep up the good work. You might ask what the event was. Well I'll tell you in a few words. It was on the 31st of May 2008 in Knowlton, Quebec where my brother Mike Santoro gave another one of his numerous conferences about his mental illness. It was the first time which I assisted in person and was very impressed the way he spoke in front of a group of about 75 people. Everyone was very attentive and when it was time to ask questions, lots of hands went up because they wanted either to ask more questions or to comment on a particular part of the conference which interested them. Most of the people present there either had a mental illness themselves or knew someone who had one. For Mike it started as something negative but now it has blossomed into a positive energy and he is trying to reach out to as many people as possible to try to make them understand and cope with their illness so they can live a "normal life". That is all for now. So BRO, once again HIGH FIVE, GOOD JOB, AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Your big sis,
Terry Giannuzzi