Hi, I'm ChristinaIn grade 9 I was bullied every day. By the end of the year, I was so stressed out that I started to hear voices and would cry all the time. The voices were so strong that I felt frustrated and started freaking out and yelling at my mom and dad, which I had never done before. At my birthday celebration that year, I disappeared at one point into the bedroom to have a nap and locked the door behind me. When everyone noticed I was missing, they came looking for me. When my cousin unlocked the door, I felt my brain freeze. Like when you eat ice cream too fast, but to the extreme. I started to cry and could not stop. Next thing I knew, my family was taking me to Sickkids Hospital. I was in such crisis that two security guards had to watch over me and I was given a sedative by IV. I was hospitalized for three months and diagnosed with psychosis and depression. I cried every day, and was scared and paranoid. I thought the medication and food was poisonous. I wanted to go home.
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Slowly, I started to trust the nurses, to eat and take my medication. I began to feel better and was finally discharged. On my 16th birthday I was hospitalized again. This time, as I recovered, I was able to develop my creative side. I went from being shy to becoming extremely outgoing. I finished my high school diploma at 21 and eventually graduated from Office Administration at Centennial College. That’s when my social worker told me about Progress Place. I was ready! I joined the clerical unit which was a good fit for me. I got to know the day's work schedule and started to build relationships with staff and members. I began to really enjoy coming to the Clubhouse where I could try new things and feel that I was needed and making a contribution. My confidence grew and I was ready to try transitional employment.
My first Transitional Employment Position (TEP) was a cleaning position. Not my first choice, I do not even clean at home! However, it was a good opportunity to be responsible, manage my own money and learn skills. My contact person at Progress Place trained me for two weeks, visited me every week, and answered my calls when I needed help with problem solving at work. Members and staff were always asking me about work and it seemed like I had the whole Clubhouse behind me and they wanted me to succeed.
My next goal was an administrative TEP. I was so excited when I received a 2-day a week mailroom position at a law firm. This was the type of work that I really wanted!! At first, I struggled in my training, but with my TEP manager’s support, I started to feel comfortable, no longer shy. I was there for 10 months and loved it. I am close to completing my third TEP at another law firm and I am excited about what the future holds for me! I am thankful to the Clubhouse for the opportunities that I have had. Progress Place has been so supportive through my recovery journey. I have been able to gain new friends, build my confidence, explore the type of work I enjoy and build my resume.
It has been twelve years since I was hospitalized! I feel like I have matured and want to continue to grow and be independent. I want to go to school and study legal office administration. I want to have my own apartment and make more friends. These are all things that Progress Place can help me with.
My first Transitional Employment Position (TEP) was a cleaning position. Not my first choice, I do not even clean at home! However, it was a good opportunity to be responsible, manage my own money and learn skills. My contact person at Progress Place trained me for two weeks, visited me every week, and answered my calls when I needed help with problem solving at work. Members and staff were always asking me about work and it seemed like I had the whole Clubhouse behind me and they wanted me to succeed.
My next goal was an administrative TEP. I was so excited when I received a 2-day a week mailroom position at a law firm. This was the type of work that I really wanted!! At first, I struggled in my training, but with my TEP manager’s support, I started to feel comfortable, no longer shy. I was there for 10 months and loved it. I am close to completing my third TEP at another law firm and I am excited about what the future holds for me! I am thankful to the Clubhouse for the opportunities that I have had. Progress Place has been so supportive through my recovery journey. I have been able to gain new friends, build my confidence, explore the type of work I enjoy and build my resume.
It has been twelve years since I was hospitalized! I feel like I have matured and want to continue to grow and be independent. I want to go to school and study legal office administration. I want to have my own apartment and make more friends. These are all things that Progress Place can help me with.