Jen's Story

I have been a client in the Advocates program for 2 and a half years. I have struggled with a life-long depression, mood disorder and neurological problems. Prior to entering Advocates, I had been hospitalized numerous times and had tried many treatments for my problem, but nothing seemed to be helpful.

When I was first told about Advocates, I had been in a psychiatric unit for 3 months and the staff on that unit had given up hope for me. I was threatened with an admission to a state hospital. This predicament filled me with a sense of desperation and anger. Fortunately, at this time I was introduced to my therapist from Advocates, and I was given an alternative to work with her, my psychiatrist, and the support workers at Supported Housing. To me, this felt like “divine intervention.”

In all of my experience, with a number of treatment programs, I had never found what I have found here. The people at Advocates are caring, skillful, and open-minded individuals, who don’t give up when the work gets challenging. they have always treated me respect and as an individual. Being treated in this way has helped me to be proud of my uniqueness and has helped me to feel validated and empowered. My team and I have formed a treatment plan geared to meet my individual needs. Our focus has been to work on doing what works for me. This open-minded approach that each of us is a unique and valuable person, has been a new and helpful experience for me. What works for one person, does not necessary work for another.

I have overcome many obstacles with Advocates help. Although my life continues to be difficult, without their help, I would not have come this far. For example, for the last 2 and a-half years, I have not experienced the revolving door of repeated, seemingly never-ending, psychiatric hospitalizations.

There are many things I have found helpful some of which are, phone support and visits. Help in accomplishing daily goals, respite support as an alternative to hospitalization. Above all, I have found the connection I feel with my treaters the most valuable because it has helped me not to give up and often gives me hope for a more stable, healthy and content life.

I believe that Advocates is vital for peoples’ recovery. The programs’ unique emphasis on empowerment of a client, working with them to achieve health in a non-judgmental way, helping a person use resources outside of the hospital, is an effective approach. I find these methods more effective, less oppressive and a less expensive alternative.

“Vision, values, and Innovations” are words Advocates truly live by.

- J.M. 4/29/00

 
What’s the Story with the Morning Glory?

I am called “morning glory” but my friends call me “glory”. I didn’t always have friends, in fact my life hasn’t always been very happy. It all started when the creator of all life created a seed and that seed was planted and I was born.

From the very beginning, I have never fit in. I have lived in many gardens, with all kinds of flowers and plants. There were roses, violets, tulips, pansies, daisies, along with many other forms of life. I have known many gardeners, but they never understood me. They did not have the patience to work with me. You see, I have never been like the others. I have a unique growth pattern that has caused many problems for me. My vines grow out of control, clinging to everything around me. I had only wanted to live peacefully with the others, flourish, and contribute to the garden. Unfortunately my attempts to belong had always failed.

I became known as “The Threat” to the garden when the word about me spread. My life only became worse. The gardeners were determined to destroy me; they ripped me from the ground, sprayed me with toxins, and cut me to pieces. In spite of everything, somehow, someway, I always managed to survive. However, this was not living to me. I was filled with despair and desperation. I wanted to give up, believing I was a useless weed and obsolete. I would hide my petals behind my vines when people walked by, and sometimes I would try to strangle myself with my own vine. Deep down I knew there was a purpose for me, and something to contribute, but I did not know what or how.

One day my life changed and this was the happiest day of my life. A group of gardeners were admiring the garden, and they noticed me! They noticed my sadness, my vine limp and tangled, but most importantly they were admiring the beauty and potential in me. They could see how unhappy I was and wanted to help me learn to grow well. They planted me in their garden and watered me with love and patience. One of them told me something no one had ever said to me before. She said, “Morning glories are beautiful flowers but they need special care. In order for them to grow well they must be worked with”.

Now I wake up every morning and show my petals with pride. I am now proud to be different. I have learned so much and I finally feel loved and part of the garden. I am seen as a blessing not a curse. I work very hard teaching others about me and I hope that my existence brightens their day. I am grateful that god sent these very special gardeners to be a part of my life. They have helped me to live a life worth living and I know that my being on this earth has also brought joy into their lives. I now realize that in order for me to have become what I am now, it was necessary for me to go through and experience what I have experienced. Soon I will teach others how to grow with balance and to be proud of their unique and special qualities. My life now is very rewarding but it isn’t always “A bed of roses”. It is hard work, a learning process, and sometimes I still wake up to find my vines tangled in the vegetable garden.

By J.M.

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