"After talking with Bob Ploger last week I started thinking about PLAN and all it has meant to us since we joined the organization in 2002. We have never been "joiners" and it never occurred to us to look outside our family for support. PLAN has altered our thinking completely on that.
Mark was diagnosed with Autism when he was five and this accelerated to Schizophrenia when he was seventeen. When he was young we worked through Loyola University Child Guidance Clinic. We didn't know much back in 1961 so mainly treated symptoms and used behavior modification. Mark didn't start on medications until he was seventeen and then it was a struggle to find the right ones. In August of 2002 Mark had a severe reaction to Clozaril and was hospitalized. After he recovered we knew he needed a change in Doctors and one of his therapists had been mentioning PLAN so we thought we'd try that also and so we did.
Mark signed up for a few activities and after a few weeks I asked him what he liked best about it and he said it was such a relief to talk about his medication and have somebody understand. He also said it was nice to have someone to do things with. His favorite was Walking Club. He also helped out with Tai Chi.
One of the big things missing in the lives of the mentally ill is a social life. It can be very lonely. Being able to talk about themselves and their medications with someone who understands is a wonderful thing. Being around people who understand their illness and support them goes a long way towards building confidence. Mark has enjoyed many activities at Iris Place and with all the PLAN people. He has been in his own apartment since last August and is very comfortable there. Marks independence has been good for us also. We can concentrate more on ourselves and our lives knowing that Mark is gaining in confidence in his abilities.
We could never pay PLAN for what it has been in our lives and in the lives of all the families it has touched and will touch in the future. We say thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts and we thank God every day for all the wonderful people at PLAN."
Jack & Therese Henry & all the Henry Clan
June, 2006
"Three years ago my son was very sick. He had been hospitalized repeatedly and was not taking his medication on a regular basis. After yet another lengthy-hospitalization, we were forced to place him in an assisted living center where his meals were served and his medications administered on a regular basis. This was an arrangement of last resort because it was far from the closest town and there were no activities, no counseling or therapy of any type, no diversions except TV and an hourly cigarette break. As he slowly recovered I began to search for an alternative living arrangement.
He wanted and needed to live where he could socialize with others and once again enjoy the freedom of being able to take a walk, go to a store, or even go to a restaurant for a meal out. I was worried. In the past when he had lived on his own he didn't take his medication and made poor decisions which usually resulted in a merry-go-round of relapse and hospitalizations. Moving back home with his father and me could be a short term solution, but we knew it couldn't be a permanent arrangement. We had recently moved to a rural area too far removed from the social activities and public transportation that my son needed He didn't like the isolation and without a car or bus service he had to depend upon us to provide all of his transportation needs. I was searching every day for a solution, getting more desperate as the weeks went by.
Then someone asked me if I had heard about PLAN. I had not, but I quickly made an appointment to speak with Patty Anderson, the Executive Director. PLAN sure seemed like a solution to our problem. But I was worried. Was my son really well enough to live in an apartment on his own? Would he take his medications? Would he make friends? Would he remain drug and alcohol free? Would he be OK?
The answer to all of the questions was Yes! He moved into his apartment and began to participate in activities at Iris Place. During the first year his PLAN social worker met with him three times a week to provide therapy and support. We watched in amazement as he continued to improve in many ways that we never thought possible. His anger has dissipated. He can take "no" for an answer. He is more patient with family and friends. He drives a car again and is doing so well that he sees his social worker every other week now. Most importantly, he takes his medications on a regular basis and has not been hospitalized since he became a PLAN consumer. In many ways PLAN has been instrumental in helping all of us get our lives back. Our son is happy and doing well and my husband and I are less stressed and no longer worry about him day and night. We are all sleeping better at night thanks to PLAN and the help we have received."
Linda Monaco
July 2006
"Our son Victor, age 42, has been a residence of Iris Place since July of 2001. His stability and general welfare have improved greatly since that time. Victor's life is fuller and more meaningful because of the many relationships he has developed with members, staff and volunteers at PLAN.
Perhaps the most significant change has been in his social life. Iris Place provides a safe, pleasant venue for interaction with other adults. Most of Victor's close friends are people who are active in PLAN.
Victor carries responsibilities for the Walking Club, which meets twice weekly. He also enjoys the Life Stories and Lava Java meetings and the birthday parties.
Victor joins us in expressing appreciation for PLAN of North Texas and its many benefits."
William and Pacheco Pyle
July 2006
"Ready to Die and Feeling Good about it
At a PLAN focus group I made the statement "I'm ready to die." This got everyone's attention. Then I explained that I really meant I'm prepared to die because I feel very good about having all my affairs in order.
I have a daughter with a mental illness and my concerns are the same that all families have about what will happen to their loved one when they are no longer able to help or are no longer here.
However, I have taken some actions that have given me the contentment of knowing that although I will be missed, she will continue to have the quality of life want her to have. By listing the steps I have taken, I hope that others will be able to follow some of the guidelines and have peace of mind about this eternal question: "What will Happen When I Am Gone?"
1. All my assets are in a Living Trust. I manage the trust and the only difference is that Living Trust is added to my name. This will simplify distribution of my assets upon my death.
2. I have a will stating how my assets are to be divided upon my death.
3. I have a Special Needs Trust set up for my daughter to insure that she does not lose benefits.
4. I have an Executor, and a back-up that I trust, to administer the Special Needs Trust.
I also feel good about my daughter's having a life filled with people who care about her and will see that her needs are met. PLAN is the answer to my achieving this goal.
She not only has a Social Worker who responds to her needs in psychotherapy and case management, but the benefit of a staff that functions as a team. She knows all of them and thinks of them as friends.
She has many friends who are PLAN consumers. They care about her and help her enjoy the many PLAN activities and I know she will not feel alone.
PLAN is like one big family. There may be changes in the family, but the family will always be there.
I'm not really ready to die but I am prepared. In the meantime I will enjoy my life to the fullest and feel confident that I will leave my family with minimal problems when the time does come either in the near or distant future."
Marlene Bartos
2005
"WHAT PLAN HAS DONE FOR ME
I have been with PLAN since the year 2000. PLAN has helped me grow as a person who is now capable of handling social situations and dealing with the so-called real world. Not the world of mental illness problems all the time, but everyday life situations as they come at you full steam ahead.
I used PLAN to make friends and go places while at the same time learning how to deal with people and situations. I was doing this and other things with PLAN, including therapy, so I could manage my life the best I can. I can see that some people would think this is fun, socializing at parties and non-work activities. For me though, and others, it is mostly work and stress in the first years. I had to make great changes in myself in order to be where I am today. Nothing is accomplished without going through pain and frustration when making your-Self into a totally different person. People with mental illness who want a better life must find a way out of their problems. And PLAN has the things necessary to do just that, if you are willing to work hard.
I can do much more on my own because of PLAN than I had ever done before. You learn socializing by trial and error using activities and social events. This takes time and effort when you want to better your stamina to handle real life situations. The people in PLAN understand this and you can practice this with them. Being by myself most of the time -did not help me deal with everyday Life and its challenges. So I practice with PLAN people and do things with them. I have realized that the world outside mostly functions through your social skills and ability to deal with human situations. I will miss those I have come to know when I move to another state. But the lessons learned here will not be forgotten."
Todd Sykes
Consumer
June 2004
"I have been a psychiatric social worker in Dallas since 1988. I currently have a number of clients who are members of PLAN and participate in your social and educational opportunities.
I just felt compelled to write and let you all know how absolutely wonderful I think your programs are!
Dallas has long needed such programs, and I wish that there were even more of them, but what my clients share about their experiences continually impresses me.
They are less isolated, feel that they are making friends that they can relate to, have fun things to look forward to, and are happy and smiling when they talk about PLAN.
I just think you are all doing a wonderful job and providing a badly needed service to many clients. Well done!"
From Sandra Turney, LMSW-ACP
May 14, 2003
"Several times, in the past few months, my daughter has said "Thanks, Mom, for signing me up with PLAN" and each time I have closed my eyes and given thanks that PLAN is here for us and for other families who have loved ones with serious metal illness.
PLAN is important to our family because it gives my daughter a support community NOW. If it weren't for PLAN I would be the chief provider of social activities for her. "Before PLAN" much of her daily life was sitting around her condo waiting for me to conjure up something that would be fun for both of us to do. "After PLAN" sees her with friends who she can call, visit, go out to eat with and enjoy doing many things that make life interesting and worthwhile. PLAN and the people in PLAN give her a reason for getting up each day. PLAN has given meaning to her life.
PLAN has also been very important to ME. I am my daughter's only living parent. I have been involved in her treatment for nearly 37 years and sometimes have felt very alone in the decision making. PLAN's social workers have been a Godsend. They have made my life easier by taking on some of the daily problems which used to bog me down and make me feel tired and depressed. I have also been very impressed with the way these social workers have interfaced with her psychiatrists and her psychologist. In the past year, it was PLAN's social workers who ran up the red flag about the medication she was taking. This led to a change in her meds and a tremendously positive change in her overall functioning.
I know that some folks think that PLAN will be useful when they are gone. I think it is important to have my daughter involved with PLAN now while I am still alive. This way her support community is in place when I die and there is one less adjustment she will have to make. And, now I get to see exactly how PLAN handles things. It gives me a great peace of mind to know that my daughter will be in good hands and that PLAN will do an excellent job!"
From Pat Shaughnessy
Parent
2003
"My family and I are very thankful for PLAN.
PLAN has offered a wonderful surrogate family to me and provides me with emotional and practical support.
PLAN has been there for me in times of crisis when my father passed away. PLAN was there helping me in the grieving process. When I totaled my car, PLAN WAS THERE with practical and emotional help.
And when I was forced to move from one apartment complex to another, PLAN was there again to assist me in every way.
In particular, my PLAN social worker has been my advocate in obtaining medical help for my physical ailments, especially severe sleep apnea. She has helped every step of the way and even spent a whole night accompanying me to a sleep study.
I am grateful that PLAN is there to help with the stresses of everyday living too.
To realize that PLAN is here for me now is a great comfort to my mother and family. And to know that PLAN will be there in the future, when my mother is no longer here and the rest of my family moves still farther away is an even greater comfort.
The people in PLAN are some of the finest people I have ever met. The staff, volunteers, and consumers really care for one another. Many go out of their way to help.
PLAN also enriches the quality of my life through its social program. I eagerly anticipate the monthly Supper Club, and my personal favorite, the weekly Walking Club. Additional activities, such as picnics, game nights, movie nights, and excursions to the zoo, shopping centers, sporting events and the Texas State Fair are terrific fun and also encourage us to mix and mingle. I have made some of my best friends through PLAN's social program.
Recently, new classes in coping with mental illness and in learning such practical skills as cooking have been started and complete the picture.
In short, PLAN has made it possible for my family not to worry, but to go about living their own lives. And equally as important, PLAN has made it possible for ME to live MY OWN LIFE and to live it fully and independently!
Thank you, PLAN"
From Chip Rosenson
Consumer
January, 2000
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