From homeless in the early 80’s, I bought a condominium in the 90’s. From receiving transportation assistance and riding the buses for over 10 years, I bought a car in the 90’s. From the loneliness that mental illness can play a major role with, my years of emptiness were replaced. I found a wonderful lady at the Peer Center, who I married. I have been happily married for 9 years to date. From receiving assistance, Federal, and state, I began my paradigm shift of becoming a provider of services, free of all Federal and state assistance. From being told that I would not make it in college, I received my Bachelors in Social Work and a Masters in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University with and an average. The A average was important to me for when I went to college, 20 years previously, I could not concentrate and my average was only a C, due to hearing voices and the early onset of Schizophrenia. Making A’s in school helped to show me that I am not the same person as I was back then. Now, I more focused, less symptoms, and able to process new knowledge and skills.
A large part of my recovery from Schizophrenia was due to the fact I was able to manage to take expensive medicines, but the ones with the least side effects. I was at one time already shaking with parkasonian side effects and evidence of nerve damage, so I went for the newer medicines. Respidol and now Abilify. Without these, I wanted to add, I could not have experienced the recovery necessary, to stay out of hospitals, and work since the 1990’s the same time, like I am doing now. I have been, thanks to these newer medicines, a full time working paying taxpayer for the system since about 1994. Now, I am overseeing the Behavioral Health Office of Consumer Affairs, where I can have a positive impact on the quality of the mental health services of several thousand consumers in Broward County. I have been accepted recently by a doctor and am now a PhD candidate for my career in social work! I have been symptom free since 1994, thanks to Respidol and Abilify, but still relying on my supports, many people on different levels, some still my old associates over 10 years ago. Maintaining good relationships are still part of the recovery journey and maintaining my mental health.
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1317 Winewood Blvd., Building 1, Suite 206, Tallahassee,
FL 32399
Phone: (850) 410-1575; Email: info@samhcorp.org
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