September 2006 Newsletter (Read-Only) - Wendat

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Page 6 WENDAT UPDATE brought in a combined total of $1,000. A big thanks to Bill and Gord. Bill Tickle Thanks to the generosity of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and transportation via the Boston Pizza Bullet, two staff and eight clients enjoyed a great summer vacation break this June, in Huntsville. The adventure started with a stop at the famous Webber’s Burgers for burgers, fries and ice cream. Once at the Tally Ho Inn, we explored the resort, went swimming, rode the paddle boats and played Gord Atchison It is also very gratifying to see the number of clients of our services A Summer Vacation at Tally Ho Inn horseshoes. Dinner was provided in the Grand Dining Room with a choice of either steak or fish after which everyone retired to their cabins to play euchre while others had coffee or watched TV. In the morning, a choice of bacon & eggs; homemade waffles & sau- sage; blueberry pancakes; or French toast was offered. After breakfast everyone went to the water to enjoy the beautiful who also volunteer to help. Many clients get involved in sorting the clothing donations for the clothing exchange, preparing food for the meals at the Social Club, painting and decorating the building, and with fundraising through bingo, raffle ticket sales and Tag Days. view. Some went on the paddle boats or swam, while others read magazines or books on the deck of their cabin. All enjoyed a picnic lunch at the waters edge, followed by a two hour trip across Peninsula Lake to Huntsville, on a big pontoon boat. After another big dinner, everyone enjoyed a camp fire by the water. On our last day we had breakfast, then headed back to Midland. We stopped in Huntsville at a lookout to view the beautiful town. On the Wendat was happy to recognize all of our volunteers at the volunteer luncheon held on September 28 th and expresses an enormous THANK YOU to each and every one of you. ♥ Volunteering is a Work of Heart ! drive back to Midland, we had fun trying to guess old singers and songs on the radio. The client’s comments in- cluded: “I feel more relaxed”; “I had an awesome time”; “I wish we could have stayed longer”; “The pontoon boat ride was the best”. Everyone thanked Wendat for the experience and asked “Can we come back next year?” From the clients and staff “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to enjoy a great experience”.
WENDAT UPDATE Page 7 My Story by Lauraine M. I had my first encounter with mental illness when I was 18. I had graduated from Grade 13 and was enrolled in the Nursing Program in Barrie. Instead, I ended up in the Mental Health Centre. I was very sick – a physical and mental breakdown. They told me it was catatonic schizophrenia. My mom told me I was in a coma for 3 weeks. The first six months, I don’t remember anything. I did not even know my parents. I know I had shock treatments and lots of pills. Finally, I started to come around. I started attending programs and it all helped. At that time I met people about my own age and they are friends to this day. After two years in hospital, I was discharged but went back to see the psychiatrist on a regular basis. Then I did something foolish. I was feeling so good I stopped my medication. I lost a lot of weight then and felt I was pretty and sexy. During that time, I told my Dad I was getting married. He got very angry and more or less disowned me. This all led up to another visit to the Mental Health Centre. It was a shorter visit this time, only about 8 months. Again, shock treatments, therapy and more pills. When I got out I moved in with my husband to be. We got married in April 1972. We both had jobs and life was good. In 1974 we decided to move to Toronto for work. All was well. We had a job as superintendents in a very nice, classy apartment building. My dad died in 1977 and when I went and saw the gravestone, I had another breakdown. I was put in the Clarke Institute and got the same treatment as before. I was there for 9 months. When I got out I was not able to do the superintendent job anymore. So my husband and I got an apartment and he worked as a construction worker and I worked in factories. Things went very well for quite some time but I got sick again in 1986. I was put in Wellesley Hospital’s psychiatric ward. Things were really different this time. I was not “out of it”, just really mixed up. I remember this visit and all that went with it. I was re-diagnosed as manic depressive and discharged in 8 weeks. This was my last admission to a psychiatric ward. Since then my life has changed. I started to get involved in things and with people. I felt different about my life – more energy. I decided to get out of the city and moved back to the Midland area in 1989. My husband and I were not getting along and we divorced in 1991. I got involved with Out Patient Services of the Mental Health Centre, with Wendat, my church and new friends. My life now is fulfilling. I feel good about myself, my social life, my involvement and learning about mental illness. My job at Wendat as a Peer Support Worker has been good for me, my self esteem and my self respect. Plus I know I have the respect of many others. My plan for my life is to take one day at a time, have faith in my God, keep things simple and always to take my pills.
Page 1 and 2: Executive Director’s Letter The l
Page 3 and 4: WENDAT UPDATE Page 3 Wendat Crisis
Page 5: WENDAT UPDATE Page 5 New Services f

September 2006 Newsletter (Read-Only) - Wendat

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