Custer House and the Dacotah Foundation, which runs the home for men dealing with mental illness, drew attention recently when a resident walked away from the home, eventually dying of heat stroke.

Though the death was tragic, it should in no way diminish the support for or tarnish the mission of Custer House.

Custer House, as reported in a recent Tribune story by Katie Brown , is one of several homes run by the Dacotah Foundation, each aimed at serving people with mental illness who function at varying levels of independence.

Dacotah Foundation Operations Officer Doreen Eichele said that Custer House offers its six residents the most independence.

Potential residents are placed in Custer House at the recommendation of their West Central Human Service Center case managers.

Residents work, play, come and go as they choose. They are responsible for themselves and for much of their living environment.

If maximizing independence is the goal of our system of care for the mentally ill or developmentally disabled, Custer House represents some of our system's best outcomes.

It is a home for people living productive and full lives despite some great challenges.

It's a fact of life: The more independence we enjoy, the more risk we incur. It's as true for Custer House residents as it is for everyone.

Vigilant case workers, loving families and caring friends and neighbors can't eliminate all the hazards of life. And they can sometimes disagree on what's best for someone.

It's fair to scrutinize the process that gauges what level of independence someone is capable of handling.

But the presence of Custer House is a blessing in the lives of the people who live there and a benefit to a community helping people live lives to the fullest.

" Dave Bundy for the Tribune