Success Stories

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=50 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> SUCCESS STORIES</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="595" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#009999" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="122"><div> <A HREF="#randall" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Randall</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="138"><div> <A HREF="#alesta" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Alesta</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="144"><div> <A HREF="#daniel" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Daniel</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="158"><div> <A HREF="#dorothy" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Dorothy</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 23 WIDTH="122"><div> <A HREF="#gary" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Gary</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="138"><div> <A HREF="#andrea" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Andrea</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="144"><div> <A HREF="#steve" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Steve</U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="158"><div> <A HREF="#maria" TITLE="Success Stories"><U>Maria</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  <A NAME="randall"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#randall_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><IMG SRC="55ad7310.png" border=0 width="727" height="561" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="alesta"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#alesta_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><IMG SRC="55bd7310.png" border=0 width="727" height="561" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="daniel"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#daniel_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><IMG SRC="55cd7300.png" border=0 width="727" height="560" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="gary"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#gary_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><IMG SRC="55dd5330.png" border=0 width="725" height="563" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="maria"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#maria_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><IMG SRC="55ed5320.png" border=0 width="725" height="562" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="steve"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#steve_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><IMG SRC="55fd7320.png" border=0 width="727" height="562" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="dorothy"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="#dorothy_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><B><IMG SRC="560d8320.png" border=0 width="728" height="562" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="andrea"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="#andrea_s_story" TITLE="Success Stories"><U><B><IMG SRC="561d6320.png" border=0 width="726" height="562" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="randall_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Randall's Story</B></div> <div> Born and raised in Holbrook, Arizona, Randall Ward's story is like so many others.  Some very dark times and a troubled past seem so far away from the Randall that sits before me now - on break from his full time job for our interview, donning his blue tooth and talking about his experiences he opens up and he shares "When you go through the experiences I've been through, you kinda get humble."</div> <div> Randall shares that he remembers things starting back in the 90's with paranoia.  Learning about nuclear bombs and reading history books about Hiroshima, he feared the world… feared society.  Leading a fairly promiscuous lifestyle, he also feared he had contracted AIDS when in society the disease grew to be more prevalent.  "I didn't know why I was experiencing the (psychiatric) symptoms I had, but fear was the basis of everything."  His fear included crowds of people and anxiety kept him from going to the grocery store.   When Randall feared that a group of people where trying to take his life, he took matters into his own hands- got into some serious fights and found himself in legal trouble.   Troubles made more serious because he was a 'novice Golden Gloves.'  Randall shares that his brother, almost 12 years his senior, taught him to box.  He boxed from around 18-21 and quickly learned that when you were the more skilled and coordinated boxer, the match easily went your way.  "It was brutal" he said of his time in the ring.    He looks at the ground when he recalls, "I fought two guys who weren't as coordinated as I was- they couldn't touch me, I was just hitting them… it wasn't good."  Randall is a different man today, reiterating throughout our interview how he doesn't like violence in any form and doesn't support and doesn't watch boxing.    He was 23 when he went into the Air Force.  It was only about a month before he had a breakdown.  "More delusions and fear."  It was the first time he had ever really spent time away from home and he lost touch with reality.  He was hospitalized on the base in the psych ward and then brought back to Phoenix.  "I thought all of the white cars in the traffic were following me."     </div> <div> His boxing skills (your hands are considered a weapon) were taken into account when considering his jail time.   His medical records from the Air Force meant hospitalization instead of incarceration.  Randall spent 2 weeks in the county jail and moved to Arizona State Hospital in September 1999.  After five years, one month and seventeen days in the hospital, he said it was the best day of his life when he got out.    Released from the hospital, he moved into a residential program at Triple R.  </div> <div> Randall's been with Triple R for six years.  "It's a good place, a real good experience" he says.  Receiving social security, he began to work with a peer employment instructor and learned that you could work while on social security and not lose your benefits.  He's been working about two years now, first with special events for a local behavioral health provider, moving to WRAP and WEL, and now with RESTART.  Randall is a team lead, works full-time, has his own car, and is off social security.  He credits his spirituality with his recovery.  "It played a big role in eliminating the fear.  Studying the bible, certain scriptures helped take away the fear because I became more encouraged.  Going to church… the meditation and prayers of others around me and having confidence today that I didn't have before."  "In my twenties, I felt old…  now at 46, I feel younger now than I did then."  "It runs in my family" he says.  "My aunt is 90 and sharp as a whip.  She remembers what I talked to her about last and is really an encouragement to me."</div> <div> Randall lost his older brother to suicide and is close to another brother who lives in west Phoenix.  "We play chess together… I've beat him quite a few times" he smiles.  Randall's friends and family have given him a sense of purpose.  Along with his work, he enjoys cooking for people - making a big pot of dirty rice and sharing it with neighbors.  He's also musically inclined.  We laugh when I tell him that's not my strong suit and he's encouraging, saying that anyone can train their voice.  He teaches me a bit about music theory and says that it helps that he took piano lessons as a boy.  "Learning the sharps and flats helps a lot."  He talks about 3/4 and 4/4 time, the seven tones in a major scale, and that there are three basic chords in almost any song.  He also is playing by ear and is currently working on listening to a gospel song over and over to identify the music to be able to play it on the piano.  He listens intently, identifying what the right hand and left hand should be doing measure by measure.  He explains it's about pitches as he beautifully sings the scale for me.  </div> <div> Randall would like to go back to college and get a degree in behavioral health.  He would also like to buy his own home and says specifically "one with a front and back yard," he'd like to get a shar pei.  He'd also like to add more gospel songs to his repertoire - maybe 30-40 good songs, continue to be active in church and write some of his own music.  He's written a few songs and says a couple more keyboards and a synthesizer would be nice, then backs up a bit, smiles and says  "I don't need a lot, just be happy."</div> <div> "Years ago I was kind of aimless in things I wanted to do, now I have interest in a lot of things.  Anything that can occupy my time, that will be productive, I can do it."   And he can…  it's anything from cooking to music.  "I like a wholesome, peaceful kind of life now.  The confidence I have makes all of the difference and it's due to my faith.  That's what keeps me together.  It keeps my life full of meaning and keeps the fear away.  Deep down, you can't see faith, but it's there.  Sometimes there's doubt, but faith over mustard seed, you can move a mountain."</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="alesta_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Alesta's Story</B></div> <div> I remember first meeting Alesta when she spoke as the Keynote at Triple R's Supported Education Graduation and Promotion Ceremony last October.  She moved the audience with her poetic address.  Peers, staff, families, and representatives from Magellan, Cenpatico and ADHS listened intently as she encouraged her peers to persevere.</div> <div> Today, a straight a student in college- Alesta is soon to be recognized by the honor society for her exemplary grades as she pursues her love of Creative Writing and Storytelling with her degree.  Alesta sits in my office, poised to share her story.  </div> <div> "As a child, I was a brain child.  I made good grades, was obedient, did all the right things."  Alesta shares she was 'born and reared in Mansfield Ohio.'  In the top 10% of her class, she moved to Arizona in 1967, her senior year.  She participated in college prep classes and was awarded a four-year scholarship to NAU.  In the first of many obstacles, Alesta tells how her step dad's refusal to sign a financial statement meant she couldn't utilize the scholarship funds.  "So I made up my mind I was going to find work and go to school myself."  Her family left for Georgia and Alesta stayed in Arizona.  Working, going to school and shuffling responsibilities while still a minor she ran into difficulties and eventually she left Arizona and joined her family in Georgia.  Pregnant as the result of a rape, she shares that the living arrangements in her family's home were tight, and she felt there wasn't much room for her, so she moved out, back to Ohio.  Alesta married and it was less than a year before she was divorced.  "He wanted to use me for a punching bag.  When he hit my one year old son, I fled.  I didn't want us ending up casualties."  Alesta filed for divorce and went back to Georgia in 1972.  Now a single mom, she got a job at a yarn/carpet mill in Milledgeville.  It was a small town, and there was a lot of harassment at the mill.  From there she moved on to work at a hospital part time, doing receptionist and switch board duties, along with helping to file ER insurance claims.  With part time wages, she was still receiving welfare benefits.  She wanted more.  "I went to the welfare office and told them to take me off.  I want to go to school and support my child."  "I was flying solo at that time.  I went through nine months of school entering into my internship when my son got sick.  I had to leave school to care for him."  Though continuing to face hurdles, Alesta landed on her feet once more, hired as an assembly worker for a plant that built air conditioners and heat pumps.  Her work ethic and abilities meant a promotion to quality control.  "That's when I got sick."  Alesta shares that psychiatric problems began for her as a result of a disgruntled co-worker putting PCP in her drink at work.  She was put in the county hospital and then moved to a state facility.  Her eyes well with tears when she talks of her time there and tells that "they thought I was a 'druggie' so they didn't give me the same kind of care and support.  I woke up in the building" she cries, "knowing the doors were locked and I couldn't get out."  Her family left Georgia for Arizona while she was hospitalized.  Released from the hospital after six months and on her own, she was on disability and moved into supported living.  She relates this painful time in her life, "I was in an apartment, I couldn't get out of bed, wouldn't get out of bed.  My family wouldn't speak to me.  My mother and my sister were raising my son.  Any money I received from disability was being sent to him."   It was a long, lonely time.   She recalls Greyhound doing a nationwide promotion to let everyone 'go home.'  "If you stood in line, you could buy a ticket for $1 to get home."  "I called my mom and asked if I could come home.  I did."  Her son was 15.  "He didn't know me.  It had been six years.  I remember seeing him peeking behind a door looking like 'who is this lady?'"  "He woke up one morning and mama was gone.  He no longer had a mom.  It was very painful."  Things weren't the same.</div> <div> Alesta saved money she received from her disability, purchased a car and moved back to (Atlanta) Georgia.  She was homeless for six months and in and out of shelters.  One evening when giving a ride to a friend in a rainstorm, she was hit by another car.  In the shop for repairs she couldn't afford, the shop eventually sold her car.   Her life was a series of ups and down.  She persevered, starting over in Atlanta with Community Friendship, Inc.  "They were a psychosocial facility like Triple R" she says.  "They started me in the clerical unit and eventually I got a job.  Once diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, reassessments re-diagnosed her with Bipolar disorder.  It was then she got in touch with Vocational Rehab.  She learned custom dress making and tailoring which she did for fifteen years.  That money along with $300 a month in disability kept her going.  As the cost of living rose, she took a job with a fabric store and participated in a "Right to Work" program.  She once again was on her way.  Then, her mother became ill.  "Mom had four strokes."  Alesta left her job, her personal belongings, even her clothing behind to relocate to Phoenix and care for her ailing mother.  She also volunteered at a senior center to get a better understanding of her mothers' needs.   After three years of care, her mother passed away and she attempted again to "get my life together."  </div> <div> Alesta came to Triple R and spent two years in Supported Education, learning skills in the computer lab and focusing on returning to college.  Her outlook remains positive and she's an inspiration to her peers.  It's a joy to speak with her as she shares "With a give-all attitude and overcoming spirit, half the stuff I didn't initiate, it just happened, it's up to me to move on, make good out of all the bad."  Triple R is a stepping stone for her to a brighter future.  "I'm really happy with Triple R.  Happy with the people I meet here."  </div> <div> Her relationship with her son is a strong one.  He realized her strength when she came back to Phoenix to care for her mother.  Her son, a college graduate, had a good job, was beginning to establish himself and Alesta didn't want him to sacrifice his future to care for his grandmother.    Her drive has brought her through more than her share of difficulties.   On June 3rd her son will throw her a 60th birthday bash at a valley Jazz club.  He's also getting married on October 23rd and owns his own home.  "He's making mama proud" she beams.  </div> <div> "I'm 60" she says.  "I look in the mirror and I see the gray hair.  But I don't see the deadness in the eyes… I see the attitude, the desire to move forward… I'm in the latter half of my life.  I've survived in a way that is positive.  I see someone with a spring in her step.  I look behind me and say oh, I cleared another hurdle."</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="daniel_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Daniel's Story</B></div> <div> Everyone has a story and Daniel is very articulate and pleasant as he shares his.</div> <div> "I have a wonderful niece and nephew, to them I am their hero" explains Daniel Abril.  Born in Phoenix twenty-two and a half years ago, he's lived here all his life, is close to his immediate family, which includes his parents, his sister and her kids and his aunt Gloria who he explains has been one of the key people in his life and his recovery.  Along with Gloria, he recognizes good friends, therapists and an 'innate ability in myself to never give up, no matter what.'  Daniel shares that though 'sometimes it feels too hard, thinking -I don't know if I can do this, something keeps me going, driving me onward, no matter how difficult the task, I work through it and achieve it one way or another.'</div> <div> Self-described as 'not completely religious' Daniel says "I'm Catholic, Christian.  I believe in God."  He couples his spirituality, along with self-advocacy and an open mind as he continues to work at getting better… reflecting 'It's nice to tell my story."</div> <div> I've been amazed and humbled by the challenges people face, how dark things can become and what they find key to their recovery.  It's incredible to hear stories of homelessness and addiction from someone who is now working on their GED or has secured competitive employment.   Daniel and I visit and I explain why I'm there.   Daniel's no exception and he politely smiles when he says "I'll try to sum it up the best I can."  </div> <div> In 2006, Daniel was found unconscious near a stairwell at school.  When he came to, besides stress and anxiety, Daniel suffered quite a bit of memory loss.  Doctors couldn't figure it out.  Testing revealed no brain damage and no drugs in his system.  This was no surprise to Daniel - he never touched alcohol or drugs "I pushed it aside, I just didn't need that."  However, the stress kept building and over the course of the year, more blackouts followed.  Each time, he'd lose more memory and his stress would build.  "I'd be repetitive and jumbled" he remembers.  "The first year was the toughest.  I was hospitalized for non-compliance with meds… forgetting the medication showed how unstable I was."  He was petitioned, crisis took him to the hospital where more tests were run.  Finding nothing, the 'diagnosis' was depression and anxiety.   Eventually the diagnosis became depression and borderline personality disorder.   In the hospital, others in crisis would add to the stress "maybe I should leave, but I'm worried about that person.  I hope they are alright…  All of these things were pulling on me- so I'd freeze, become tense, start speaking nonsense.  Thoughts in my head ran faster than I could speak."  When released from the hospital, Daniel moved into Triple R residential.  "I was trying to build myself up, start a foundation.  I learned about WRAP and WEL which were helpful, then I began school."  Daniel was doing things he couldn't do before.  Things that before caused stress, didn't now.  </div> <div> "Triple R helped me.  They wanted me to learn about my diagnosis.  I studied it.  I learned about my medications and started taking behavioral health classes.  One of the best things I learned about me is I HAVE an illness, I am NOT my illness."  He continues "I don't know who quoted this, but "we're sick people trying to get better, not bad people trying to be good."  "My journey, it's been a 180.  I would hide myself from the world.  I always looked at the negative, but I'm working to change it, to rewrite it.  It's okay to feel negative, but don't let it control your life.  It's a work in progress."</div> <div> Where does he see himself in five years?  He starts thinking, then laughs and sings "que cera cera "Let's see, I'm 22 right now, so I hopefully I'm working full time, maybe I have a house, maybe married and expecting a first child"  Daniel continues "I could be right about some of these things, you don't have control over everything" changing his wife to maybe a girlfriend… "just making sure I'm in a well place."  Daniel hopes to gradually wean off medications.   He says they are helpful but that he's also starting to learn and apply things so that he can make the life he wants.   He admits he's got some work to do before he's ready for a job, but that he'd like to work in the behavioral health field.  He also enjoys writing, and laughs and says 'who knows, I could be cutting hair.'  What does come to mind though is service to people, "making them feel better" he says.</div> <div> "Four years ago I was completely in the dark… nebulous and dark in my own mind, like a prisoner… if I can't get out of it, I'll just bring the light towards me."  "Triple R has been helpful since I've been here.  If it wasn't for them, I'd probably be living with my parents and they'd be struggling to help me.  I wouldn't be as far as I am now."  </div> <div> He uses our interview as an opportunity to advocate, stating "You shouldn't be treated differently because you have a mental illness… just like someone with leukemia, lupus, cancer or heart disease… you wouldn't blame them.  Media exaggerates and people are afraid of us."  On that note, he also feels it equally important to say "don't pity us, we're just trying to get better."</div> <div> When I ask Daniel for three words to describe himself, he jokes as he fires back 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' then a pause and "the first two words are definitely 'I am'"… another pause, and he says "happy."</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="gary_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Gary's Story</B></div> <div> Sitting in his room critiquing a mix CD with superimposed guitar solos he mixed himself- on computers he built himself- is a long way from were Gary Buttinghausen was five years ago.  In the depths of substance abuse, Gary couldn't imagine himself as anything other than addicted, now he enjoys showing me his work, playing a little air guitar and sharing "there's nothing to hold me back now."</div> <div> Gary's been at Triple R since May of 2005.  Battling severe depression and subsequent substance abuse since he was a teenager, he relates that he somehow managed to stay out of jail until he was in his forties.  "I was caught with crack and had a warrant out for my arrest.   I managed to stay clean for three to nine months at a time, (but) it was so hard to stay clean" he says when he talks about the past "everyone else around me was 'dirty.'"  Gary shares that he was raised well, complimenting his parents.  An upper middle class family, focused on manners and etiquette, now it's 2005 and he's got a warrant hanging over his head.  Gary's parents pressed for him to get a guardian.  His guardian made arrangements for a diversion program-  'hospital, not jail.'   Gary credits many people with where he is today, from Triple R Behavioral Health in Arizona, their residential staff and his family, to folks he met while working at MARC and an 'awesome' probation officer that told him "I don't want to lose my job-  If you start using again you're going to jail."  But one night he did start using again- leading to 31 days behind bars.   Once released, he went to the clinic, at the time managed by Maricopa County Regional Behavioral Health Authority, ValueOptions, where they introduced him to Triple R.</div> <div> It hasn't been easy.  Anyone in recovery knows that it's not.  Gary shares that while at MARC, he met a 'cool guy, super computer genius.'  Gary was making mix cassettes at the time and when his new friend mentioned he could make a CD copy for him, he didn't believe it could be done.  "He made me a CD of my music.  I couldn't believe you could transfer music to a CD!"  he said.  "I'd bring him in cassettes, and he'd turn them into CD's."  Excited, Gary explains "I went to Best Buy and told them about it and learned that to do that, it took a computer."   Computers- something Gary knew nothing about in '05.  Gary confesses he's not much of a student or fan of school, so while at Triple R, he rummaged for computer parts and began building his own computers.  His site coordinator Suzanne marvels at his progress.   She and Gary talk about how he used to 'dumpster dive.'  When I asked 'what were you looking for?' he told of stories how he'd spend all day "walking the allies, lifting dumpster lids and checking for anything he could sell to buy drugs."  Everything was about how I could get drugs, use drugs… a lot of 'wheeling and dealing.'"  Suzanne smiles when she shares with him how he now replaced those bad behaviors with productive activities .  "You're still 'wheeling and dealing' but now it's that you're finding computer parts, trading, fixing, building and selling computers, making money."  Gary just smiled and said "Dad was a salesman!"  Gary estimates that he's had 50-100 computers he's torn apart and rebuilt.  Reminding me that he really doesn't like school, he says that he calls people when he has questions-  friends he's met and asks "how do I change a hard drive?"  Hard drives, processors, adding memory, changing out mother boards, it's all under his belt now.  </div> <div> "Gary, can you make me a CD for my game?"  a roommate hollers from the kitchen.  Gary's excited about our interview, but that doesn't keep him from being the man-in-the-know.   You can see how much the computers and the music mean to him.  It's more than evident when speaking with him and when he runs to catch up with me when I'm packing up to leave.  He hands me a compact disk with some tracks he's mixed for me and asks Suzanne for a Sharpie.  She's digging one out when he explains that 'it's all about the music.'  He quickly writes 'Sobriety Society' and RRR on the disk and hands it to me.</div> <div>  What are Gary's goals?  When I asked him about where he saw himself in five years, he says he's put a lot of effort into staying clean.  "I don't want to be on social security, taking from everyone.  Maybe a part time job, fixing computers or talking to people- doing lectures about staying sober.   You can't forget where you've been - if you lose the war stories, you lose the war.  It keeps me clean."</div> <div> Music and computers are his passion.  His passion helps keep him sober.  His sobriety allows him to now participate in family events and holiday gatherings, when for years he wasn't invited to do so.  "When I used, people quit talking to me.  Now, I go to parties, I don't drink but I see people I used to babysit all grown up.  It's awesome… they even gave me a present."</div> <div> Friends, an 'awesome probation officer', family, and Triple R committed to recovery have helped him to change his life.  He mentions each and the role they've played in his success.  When he starts talking about Triple R, he pauses for a moment, starts with the typical 'they understand, they help a lot' but he's just getting started.  "I know I have a lot of potential because Triple R has given me a chance, a break…  to prove I'm more than an addict.  I am human with feelings and emotions.  I have value.  If it weren't for Triple R, I'd be dead by now… overdosed or killed.  They know what needed to be done and cooperated with other mental health agencies."  A huge Star Trek fan, he explains "I've broken through the sound barrier and now I'm shooting for the speed of light… there's nothing to hold me back."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="maria_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Maria's Story</B></div> <div> People living with the challenges of mental illness often have to face much more than the symptoms of their disease.  With nearly paralyzing stigma, an increased chance of substance abuse and multiple barriers to success, recovery is possible- but it can be a long difficult road and achievements and strength like Maria Park's should be celebrated.</div> <div> Growing up in Ohio, Maria shares memories of childhood abuse, undiagnosed symptoms, being shuffled between caregivers and recalls parents dealing with their own symptoms of illness as well.  Maria credits her aunt and uncle with saving her life and giving her hope for her future.  In 1994 at the age of 16, Maria flew to Arizona on her own to live with her aunt.  Escaping abuse, she brought with her a history of hospitalizations, diagnoses which included depression, schizophrenia, bipolar and suicidal thoughts.</div> <div> Maria explains that things for her would cycle.  She'd do okay, go to high school, draw in her diary her aunt gave her, and then start to 'break down.'   Maria shared that she was in and out of the hospital, that she heard voices and even when she did well, soon things would fall apart.  She would stop taking medications, start abusing drugs and quit going to school.  While in court-ordered treatment in '03 after years of wavering back and forth between wellness and illness, sobriety and addiction, Maria found her strength.  Sitting before me for today's interview, she hold's herself accountable for her 'many mistakes' and credits her friends, her aunt and uncle, and the staff at Triple R with her recovery.  She's humble when you remind her of the work she's had to do to get here, and finally shares "I'm proud of myself.  I thought I'd never get better, but I proved everyone wrong!"  </div> <div> Maria currently lives at a 24-hour residential site.  She's taken many steps however, and is currently working on moving to a 16-hour apartment.  "I'm better.  I wish I were like this a long time ago.  I love myself like this and don't want to go back to my old life, old drug habits."  She's been clean for seven years and continues to work daily to move forward.  </div> <div> In 2004, Maria became a member of the Phoenix Clubhouse.  "If it wasn't for Phoenix Clubhouse, I'd be back to my old self again… but now I'm busy, I have a purpose."  Maria explains how in the past she'd let people walk all over her, but at the clubhouse she's found true friends.  Along with friendship, Maria has found skills and a sense of worth that she's used to participate in Triple R's Transitional Employment program.  Among her employment placements was a 'greeter' position with Magellan.  "I really loved that job" she beamed "It was wonderful."  She also shares that as a greeter, she'd see others and "I saw how I was in the past and it would 'blow my mind.'  I don't want to be that way anymore."</div> <div> When she talks about her future, the thirty-year-old is all smiles.  "I came along way."  She continues to work on goals which include cooking, forming a shopping list/budgeting, and anger management which she says she participates in daily.  Meeting these goals will help her move up to the 16-hour residential facility.  After the move she'll continue on at the Clubhouse where she enjoys working in the clerical area and helps to cook during holidays.  While wrapping up our interview she shows off her multitasking skills, logging on to a computer in the clerical area to check email, while also fielding a phone call.  She's proud to welcome guests to the clubhouse and provide tours.    "I'm here every day.  It keeps me strong." </div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="steve_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Steve's Story</B></div> <div> I've known Steve for several years.  When I first approached him about being featured in one of our Success Stories, he was delighted with the thought.  Sometimes people are a little hesitant, but a long-time advocate, he saw it as an opportunity to get the message out.  When I called him two days later for the interview, he shared that he'd already thought of a title for the article… "The Unsinkable Mental Health Advocate from Pueblo Colorado."  Of course, I had to ask why.  "Growing up, the Unsinkable Molly Brown was my biggest hero" he shared.  "She was eager to learn and she really liked to be around people.  Her actions during the sinking of the Titanic, made her a historical figure in Colorado history."    Steve came to Arizona from his hometown of Pueblo Colorado in 1994 just after graduating Pharmacy School.   He was right, that was a great lead from which to tell his story.  </div> <div> In the fall of his senior year of high school, at 17, Steve started experiencing symptoms of mental illness.  "I knew something was wrong, but didn't know what it was."    Growing up in the church, he reached out to his pastor who secured mental health services for him in Colorado.  Despite his illness, ongoing symptoms, and ups and downs, Steve kept up his grades and graduated tenth in a class of 350.  With the support of his family, church and his treatment team, he continued to work through difficult times.  Hospitalized during his freshmen year at college, he was given a pass daily to attend school- returning in the evening for continued care.  "This happened right before finals" Steve explained.  "I would study in the ward and go out to take the tests…  it was a very difficult time."  Steve credits professors who, despite not knowing what he was going through, worked with him when he sought extra help.  As he'd traditionally done, his determination paid off, earning him in A in calculus.   Despite his troubled start freshman year, he received a Bachelors in biology, minoring in chemistry.  With his degree under his belt and continued support, he attended the University of Colorado where he enrolled in Pharmacy School.    During the last semester, pharmacy students were able to choose their rotations.  "I wanted to complete my rotation at Colorado State Hospital because of my experience."  "There, I served as a clinical pharmacist on the ward of acutely psychotic and depressed individuals."  While Steve shared his story, he continued to relate how grateful he was for the support he received…  his parents, grandparents and even a great grandmother who played a big role in his life while he was growing up.  What shines through when you're talking with Steve is that he's as equally grateful for his experiences.  His hard work and determination have played a vital role in his recovery, and he smiles as he humbly continues on, sharing he graduated in '94, receiving a 96% on his state boards.</div> <div> Steve's parents moved to rural Arizona in '87 and Steve followed in 1994.  "They lived in Globe" he said "So I hooked up with mental health support groups in Maricopa County and once a week I drove down to Phoenix."  The group was his first introduction to advocates, many of whom are still very active in the State.  From '97-'01, Steve was employed by the advocacy group while also working for a Methadone clinic, compounding their dosages.  "A lot of those folks had mental health issues as well, it was a great learning experience."   Steve used his personal experience with mental illness to provide support and offer community resources to those at the clinic… "It was very rewarding."  In 2001, the clinic was sold and he was laid off.  Changes at advocacy agency meant he would no longer have a job there either.  From '01-'03 Steve worked as a Pharmacist until professionally joining Triple R.  Participating in Peer Training and receiving the education needed to work in the field, Steve joined the first group to work on the newly created WarmLine.  While at Triple R, Steve was asked to participate in staff trainings where he shared information and fielded questions about psychotropic meds.  That propensity to go above and beyond the job description was also evident when he chaired committees at church, developing a statewide 3-day seminar educating pastors from Arizona (and Las Vegas) about mental health - allowing them to provide support to members of their congregation.</div> <div> Steve's father passed away in 2003 and he enrolled with the RBHA.  Continuing to go to support groups and volunteering, he returned to work at the advocacy agency in '06 -  until 2008 when he lost his job to budget cuts along with most of the staff…  he relapsed.    "That's when I sought the support of the Phoenix Clubhouse."   Evident by his history, Steve shares "I've always found that meaningful activity in the community, even better, employment, is a really important part of my recovery."  While at the clubhouse, he worked on his resume and did mock interviews.  "I used all of those (clubhouse) resources to get my job at the PNO in June 2009."  </div> <div> An avid Denver Broncos fan, Steve says, "Quality of life can be measured by the healthy relationships one nurtures…  Now I'm really enjoying life.  It's very fulfilling.  My relationships are strong."  He continues "It seems like the mixture of what's going on in my life now has me feeling healthier than I have for years."  Steve is working fulltime and in addition, is a board member at a new mental health advocacy group that supports family members and individuals with mental illness that get involved in the jail/prison system, and a member of the RBHA's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.  "I keep my license current, taking courses related to behavioral health."</div> <div> The list of people Steve credits with gaining and maintaining his health grow as you speak with him.  Mentors and advocates, family, friends and clergy.   Among the impressive group is Triple R's CEO, Wayne Hochstrasser.  "Wayne's always been very personable…  he's a tremendous leader of a major behavioral health organization in our community."  When not working or advocating, or cheering on the Broncos, you can find Steve dining out, catching a movie or swimming laps.  The 2007 "Through Our Eyes" photo exhibit features Steve during a work-out at the pool.   He adds "I believe in pet therapy and music therapy."  A lover of classical music, he shares "at the end of the day, Dudley (his Jack Russell - Beagle mix) is his major support.</div> <div> Words of wisdom from this A student, board member, mentor?...  Sure "I would encourage people to participate in programs Triple R has to offer.  It helps so that you don't isolate.  You may have symptoms, but staff are trained, like in Clubhouse, to support you.  Hopefully you have a good relationship with your psychiatrist and clinical team.  Triple R can help you lead a higher quality of life, instead of sitting at home overwhelmed by symptoms - they are there to encourage you to move forward.  Even during difficult times, I found they helped me to reach out for more help from my clinical team."  With compassion and understanding, Steve continues to use his experience to help others.  When questioned about his own goals, he shared that in five years he'd like to be practicing pharmacy in a behavioral health agency and staying active in mental health advocacy.  "I specifically want to get involved with the state legislature, educating them."  Once invited to work on legislation for seclusion and restraint laws, time kept him from participating. "I have a dream in my lifetime to see the use of the phrase Severely Mentally Ill abolished in the behavioral health field.  It is extremely stigmatizing.  A mental illness is serious period."   "Five years from now, I'd like to have more time to be involved with issues that make a difference… I want to continue educating clergyman about mental health issues."</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="dorothy_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Dorothy's Story</B></div> <div> Amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy NAMI Arizona office just days before the NAMI Walk, I sat down with Dorothy Cruz, Operations Manager for the busy affiliate.</div> <div> It's been a struggle.  Depression, anxiety, financial difficulties, loss, and doubt.  Despite never having graduated from high school, Dot's work ethic and intellect were enough to take her to the top.  Employed as the Director of Patient Financial Services, overseeing billing, collections, finance and 120 staff, including 5 managers in a hospital system with a large local presence and two satellites in Nevada, Dot reported to the Vice President of the Southern Region.  She worked her way up and her exemplary performance kept her climbing - but she always found it troubling and most didn't know, that she didn't possess her diploma.  She was a teenage mom, without a diploma somehow got into business school, three kids by age 21, management at 26 and VP by 40.  </div> <div> In March of 2005 Dot lost her mom two weeks after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and, a day later, almost lost her husband to substance abuse (overdose).  In April she saw a psychiatrist when she experienced trouble coping with her loss, had difficulty eating and sleeping and grew increasingly despondent.  By August, the woman whose strength allowed her to excel in business and raise three children had a breakdown.  "I was honest with my employer" Dorothy says, "they were very understanding and knew what I was dealing with."  Dot was able to be honest, disclosing to management and staff that reported to her "This is what's happening" she told them, "I'm going to the hospital."  "I had so much support from them."  Dot was hospitalized for about nine days and took a month off before returning to work.  At first, part time… modified hours and days in an effort to get back to full time.  "I just couldn't do it" Dorothy remembers and shares that she left in January of '06 and survived on long term disability benefits for two years.   After trying five medications in two months, a psychiatrist misdiagnosed Dot with bipolar disorder before an appropriate diagnosis of depression and anxiety disorder two months later. "Things weren't getting better,"  she said.  Her husband left, and for the first time in her life, she was alone.  "Mom was gone, my husband had left, and I couldn't work anymore."  In an effort to feel a little better about herself, Dorothy decided on some lip enhancement.  It was something she'd done before… "Just a little shot to plump the lips.  Four days later, my top lip fell off."  Dorothy shares that a complication with the procedure led to nerve damage and tissue death, resulting in the loss of her right upper lip and muscle.  The horror of fourteen reconstructive surgeries over 2 ½ years, and surviving with 'no face.'  "I couldn't eat, the inside of my mouth and my face was just an open sore.  It took nine months before I was able to eat a banana" she recalls.    Suicidal, Dorothy called her sister who sensed how critical the situation had become and asked "Okay sis, what's it going to be, your lips or your life?"  Dot explains, "I wanted to work, but I had no face."  Another sister locally took her to the hospital where she began to detox off all of the anxiety medications.  Dot credits this sister who took it upon herself to manage her numerous medical appointments.  "My entire family and friends were enlisted and scheduled to get me everywhere I needed to go.  Without this support, I do not know what I would have done."</div> <div> In one of several strange twists of fate, this one less ironic and more inexplicable - her private insurance wouldn't pay for services for her mental illness because of her prior hospitalizations.  Dot recalls her story and the twists that she finds ironic now - like being married to someone with a mental illness and turning to NAMI for support and guidance 10 years prior to her finding employment there, OR her power position with the hospital prior to her illness and a position she acquired during her recovery that was funded by a grant from that same hospital.  </div> <div> During her struggles, years of trying to get social security disability benefits and draining her bank and retirement accounts while waiting, Dot credits her clinical team with her success.  "It is an awesome group" she smiles.  "They saved my life."  The Rehab Specialist at her clinic started a group just for women.  Dot went weekly and says it helped so much.  "I didn't realize how sick I was."  Therapies, group therapies, womens' groups, doctor appointments every other week.  Her team has been her rock.  They've gone to appointments with her and continued to press her to become more engaged in her life.  "I was falling in a big black hole and didn't know how I was going to make ends meet, but they'd call and say 'are you okay' 'I really want you to try Peer Training' 'You'll really like it'."  Referring to Triple R's Peer Training program, she remembers how her team told her "We've heard such great things about their class."  First, Dot had to get her GED.  She enrolled with Triple R Supported Education and while pre-testing was found she had most of the skills she needed.  She took the GED over a two day period and, with that piece of paper finally in hand, no longer felt 'less than.'    "Everyone helped" she said.  "Alice brushing up on my math, Victoria with secondary education interests, and Rekeba who encouraged me to take the test… that I was ready."  "It was the beginning of my recovery journey."  Smiling, Dot exclaimed "Wow, I can do this!" and telling me about how she took a photo of herself pointing to the GED plaque on the wall at Triple R with her name on it.  </div> <div> "I was this larger-than-life mom.  I raised three beautiful kids.  I was a professional business woman, and I found myself crippled down to my knees."   When Dorothy tells her story, she focuses on those who have helped her.  "To have people really help you and care enough to not give up on you… It's a lot of information in a short period of time" she says while speaking of the Peer Training class at Triple R.  "All the time while I was enrolled, Nicholas kept telling me of job openings."  "Peer Training was my life.  I got up and looked forward to it.  I dreaded the days I didn't have class.  During one class, folks from NAMI were the guest presenters.  I eventually met NAMI's Executive Director, and he was so gracious, he said 'We'd love to have you.'"  Dorothy did her internship at NAMI, designing - of all things - their internship program!    Her internship turned into a grant-funded job offer.  They had a grant (from the hospital she used to work with) to develop peer health training that would be rolled out to various clinics.  Dot wrote 25 different health and wellness components for case managers.  In yet another twist, Dorothy explained that for eight years, prior to her illness, she owned a 26-bed halfway house, helping people recovering from substance abuse and that they had contracts with the RBHA.  While working on the grant at NAMI, she was approached about the Operations Manager position there and started in July.   The position didn't come in time to save her home, her car, or her savings and she moved to a place for women in recovery.  Four women sharing a two bedroom apartment and one bathroom, she felt she could no longer infringe on family and realized that this was the best thing that ever happened to her.  "No one judged me.  They welcomed me with open arms.  People here understood what I was going through and my job was not in jeopardy."  After eight weeks, she saved enough to move on her own.  She purchased a car in January and says of her work "it's not about money, it's about helping people."</div> <div> Today?  Dorothy is enjoying her five grandchildren.  Her relationships with her children are getting stronger.  She believes in herself and expresses tremendous gratitude to her clinical team.  She explains that she's getting her confidence back, lives in a condo in Central Phoenix, serves on the Board of Directors of NAMI Southeast Valley and thinks about pursuing a Bachelors degree.  It's easy to see how she climbed so far without her diploma and why so many wanted to help her.  It's equally as easy to see her continuing to move forward, to pursue educational and employment goals and to continue to inspire others to do the same.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="andrea_s_story"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Andrea's Story</B></div> <div> Struggling with more than mental illness, Andrea has been undergoing a daily home regime of chemotherapy for Crohn's Disease.  Diagnosed at the age of six with autism and childhood schizophrenia-like symptoms, she's come quite a long way.  Andrea is no stranger to Clubhouse.  Since she was 19, Andrea has been participating in Clubhouse services, but they haven't always been in Phoenix.  Growing up in North Carolina, she was a member of a Clubhouse there before moving to Arizona in 2006.  While in North Carolina, Andrea was involved with Vocational Rehab, achieving her education goals, graduating from college with a degree in industrial technology and earning a 4.0 average.  During our interview, Andrea explained her love of welding and how much she misses it, but health problems keep her from being able to work.  "It's not the mental illness" she explains, "it's the weakness and issues that go along with Crohn's."  Andrea does, however, do what she can, which includes volunteering at the Phoenix Clubhouse in the kitchen area, clerical, and is learning how to work in the snack bar.  Though it's 65 miles from her Tonopah home, Andrea comes Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays, opting for the lengthy commute and the nationally recognized pre- and supported employment services the Club has to offer as opposed to participating in programs closer to her home.</div> <div> Though she'd like to live on her own, Andrea lives with her parents.  Relying solely on her SSI income, she continues to talk about how much she loves working and misses welding.  "Eight to twelve-hour days and the heavy lifting is just not something I'm able to do."  So she focuses her attention on what she can do - helping at the Clubhouse and artistic welding and jewelry making.  When asked about her fondness for the Clubhouse, she shared "It's a place to go… it offers hope for the future" she continued, "I feel like I have a future… I work on (my) goals."  The same artistic creativity she pours into her welding she shares with other members of the Clubhouse through her guitar playing.  Andrea has played for parties at PCH and looks a bit defeated when she says "I'm bored when I'm not here, you get lonely by yourself."  Not to be confused for a 'social outing' Andrea also talks about participating in the work-ordered day.  She answers phones and enjoys serving lunch to members who are in wheelchairs.  "My mom has been my caregiver most of my life and my coming here helps her too."  Andrea would really like to move to Phoenix and is eager to learn the bus system.  "At one point, I was so depressed I would cry all day."  Suffering from manic depression as well as trichotillomania, "I would cut my hair shorter and shorter and shorter, coloring it four to five times a week - just for something to do.  It would keep me busy and make me happy… but it's all a part of my illness" she explained with a head full of beautiful red hair and lovely longmovie-star eyelashes "and I'm working now to stop that."  "The Clubhouse gives me faith.  I don't think about my illness and get depressed.  I have a place to come to, to see everyone here, meet people… it's part of my job and I like to help.  It's not about working for money, this is a place to belong."</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Home</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home"><U>home</U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> </td> </tr></table></body>