Attaining Independence
We envision a community where individuals and families can meet life's basic needs (shelter, food, clothing, and transportation), gain economic stability through education, job training and permanent housing and receive basic supportive services.
LEARNING TO LIVE AGAIN
Sometimes we make mistakes that cost us dearly – even our lives. When it comes to Bryce*, he credits a higher power for carrying him through what could have been a disastrous ending to a long and otherwise fulfilling life. Bryce lived 48 years within a regimented daily routine of work, marriage, fatherhood and community involvement. Weaved within this routine was his love of alcohol. From his perspective, “alcohol was a controlled vice of his; never an addiction.” Two years ago, Bryce lost his wife of 46 years on Christmas morning. This tragedy proved to be a trigger that would send Bryce to the lowest point of his life. Having retired, Bryce’s daily routine had drastically changed. He now found himself with too much time on his hands in an empty house grieving the loss of his wife. His days began taking on a hollowness filled with “sleeping and escaping in a bottle of bourbon.” Eating rarely made the list of his daily accomplishments. His outlook on life was dim at best. A series of health crises followed, culminating with a fall and a broken hip. After lying alone on the floor for hours unable to move or answer the phone, Bryce’s concerned son came to check on him. “Can you help me, son?” Bryce asked, expecting to be helped off the floor. His son did more than help him up. He encouraged Bryce to visit Ravenwood Mental Health Center in Geauga County, which proved to be the first step on a long and challenging road to recovery. Although Bryce insisted he “was okay” when filling out his intake evaluation, his denial slowly faded as his involvement in the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at Ravenwood began to reveal some hard truths in his life: Alcoholism. Depression. Nutritional deficiencies. Organ dysfunction. Bryce was “barely holding on to the edge of his life.” According to Heather Denning, Ravenwood program director, “PHP offers a holistic approach to recovery and healing for willing participants. The four-hour sessions held five days a week offer addiction education and management, healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, self care, psychotherapy, as well as emotional, spiritual and social support. In addition, patients enjoy a nutritious snack and lunch with their peers in all stages of recovery, proving to be a therapeutic experience of its own.” Bryce cannot say enough about Doug Urbank, his chemical dependency counselor at Ravenwood. “He is relatable, skilled and professional.” As for PHP as a whole, Bryce insists that he “wouldn’t be here today if not for PHP” and believes it should be expanded greatly. Thanks to the United Way funded PHP program, support from his three sons, and grace from above, Bryce is learning to enjoy life once again. He is back to reading, doing crossword puzzles, enjoying food and attending his old church. “I wake up each day and look forward to seeing the sun rise and the sun set.”
*Name has been changed.
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