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Recent News

True Success

written by Joshua Saville, Work Etc. Program Participant

What defines a man is not what he has but where he has come from and where he is going. Every Journey begins with a single step, and not every path leads to success. Not every journey is clear sometimes one must step out in faith and let go of what they know to embrace new ideas and face the truth that is not always clear. One thing is clear it cannot be done alone neither can it be done with a closed mind. With support, guidance, and encouragement anything is possible. To know success is to know failure for one cannot succeed without failure. Dwelling on the failure only leads to more depression and anxiety. Embracing new ideas and working on small accomplishable task is what leads to a brighter future and a more stable peace of mind.

My Journey began in 2006 when I was first diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. At first I was encapsulated in my own ideas and ways of thinking. It was clear that I was living a lie and somehow the voices were leading me astray. I needed to break free but I did not know what the first step was. Knowing I could no longer do this alone I had to seek help. I began attending regular therapy and taking medication as describe. At first it seemed to make the symptoms worse, but I continued knowing that growth sometimes comes from painful or otherwise uncomfortable experiences. Slowly my medication became more balanced and the voices began to decrease. It was like stepping out of the fog into a whole new light. I began to understand that what I believed was all a lie and that I had to embrace new way of living and work towards a goal.

My first goal was to go back to school and further my education. That is when I was put in contact with Vocational Rehabilitation services. They made me feel right at home and I felt a connection. As time progressed they were there to guide me and lend support. Over the years they still keep in contact with me and check in with me to see how things are progressing and to see if there is anything they can do to further my skills and abilities. I am grateful to Vocational Rehabilitation service for being there in my time of need. They are a great tool and they put me in contact with other services and community partners.

One of these services was Functional Industries. They have been there to lend support and give me valuable skills as I progressed from part time positions to a full time hourly job paying what I never dreamed possible. They counseled, instructed, guided with professional service. I learned valuable people skills, Interviewing tips, and stress management. From my first job as a pizza delivery driver to various jobs ranging from tutor, Technical writer and Finally a Graduate of a Bachelor’s in Science which has enabled me to get my dream job as a software developer working for a prestige’s company.

Another one of these services was ARMS “Adult Rehabilitation Management Services”. They taught me skills ranging from daily task management, basic cooking , and other basic life skills. It has been a collaboration of these services that has led to my success, and will lend a hand in my future success as I set my goals on a brighter future. Learning to coupe with a mental illness is not without its challenges but it also has its advantages as well. I am more focused and more adapt to handle the change that comes along due to the skills and life lessons learned from my support systems. Working together to better understand my illness as well as be open to change and guidance has made it possible for me to live with what otherwise was a debilitating illness.

As I look back on this journey of mine I have not done this alone neither will I continue alone I will walk hand in hand with my support system and with the continued strength of the professionalism of the people and services they provide. I will persevere through whatever crisis that may occur for I know that I am only beginning and the future is yet unwritten. My success will only grow if I manage to deal with failures and setbacks and see them for what they really are the stepping stones to a brighter future. One filled with hope and happiness not listening to the lies of the symptoms of my disease.