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Adrianna’s Story: A Story About a Sweet Soul Battling Mental Illness
My name is Ashley Chancellor. Adrianna Hodge is my 15-year old cousin and I’m here to tell her story and to ask for your help.
Born prematurely (weighing a mere 3 lbs. 4 oz.) into an environment of domestic violence my aunt, Angela Hodge,made the very brave decision to leave behind the career and home life she worked so hard to establish to protect her daughter. In less than one week, she relocated to another state to seek safe refuge for herself and Adrianna (then 11 months old) among family.
Adrianna had to overcome several physical and cognitive developmental challenges. With the help of early intervention services, to include multiple assessments, evaluations, speech therapy and occupational therapy, Adrianna developed into a beautiful, healthy child who flourished in the safe environment provided by her mother, grandmother and aunt. Although delayed in her educational milestones and diagnosed with ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive type with underlining anxiety, my aunt fought diligently and advocated persistently to find the resources necessary for Adrianna to succeed. With the implementation of an Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) and tutoring, Adrianna struggled but worked hard and maintained an A/B average through 8th grade. Despite her family’s efforts, at the onset of high school, Adrianna fell into a deep depression and started to struggle even more at school and her grade averages significantly dropped. Adrianna began to isolate herself from family and friends and started to have suicidal ideology, self-harm and purge. After discovering cuts and scars on Adrianna’s arms, my aunt immediately sought the advice of Adrianna’s pediatrician and retained the services of a psychologist and psychiatrist to access and treat Adrianna. In May 2017, Adrianna was diagnosed with major depression, social and generalized anxiety, and a non-specific eating disorder. With consistent therapy sessions and medication management, Adrianna began to stabilize and implement healthy coping skills to combat her mental disorders.
Then in September 2017, tragedy struck. Adrianna’s grandmother, with whom she had a very close relationship with, died. From birth, Adrianna had spent each day of her life seeing and talking with her grandmother. She took care of Adrianna while my aunt worked and was a vital part of Adrianna’s support system as she navigated the many challenges in her young life. Unable to deal with the loss of her grandmother, Adrianna’s depression spiraled out of control and she made her first suicide attempt. Realizing that the treatment Adrianna was receiving was not effective, my aunt sought the assistance of another therapist specialized in animal assisted therapy and a different psychiatrist who worked in the same practice in an effort to provide a streamlined, alternative therapy experience based on Adrianna’s love of animals.
Sadly, after months of psychotherapy, Adrianna regressed. The suicidal thoughts intensified and Adrianna devised a plan to attempt suicide again. My aunt had no choice but to admit Adrianna to an inpatient psychiatric unit for youth. Adrianna remained in the hospital from May 25 through June 13. She was then transferred directly to a partial hospitalization program with a treatment facility specialized in eating disorders and the co-occurring symptoms of depression, anxiety and self-harm where she is currently undergoing intensive treatment.
Due to the significant amount of help Adrianna needs, my aunt had no choice but to take an unpaid leave of absence from work to help support Adrianna in the battle for her life. The program entails a 7-day a week schedule for 8 weeks. My aunt drives 45 minutes twice a day (and some days more than that), 7 days a week to take Adrianna to and from treatment where she remains the entire day. Twice a week my aunt has to directly participate in family therapy, training and team meetings from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm; once a week from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm; every Saturday from 9:15 am to 11:00 pm; and every Sunday from 9:45 am to 3:00 pm.
The total cost of this treatment program is a staggering $48,776! Fortunately, my aunt has insurance but the upfront costs for the deductible and co-insurance is $5,946. This amount is due prior to Adrianna’s discharge from the program on August 8, 2018.
The emotional, physical and financial burden on my auntand Adrianna has been devastating and I am hoping that you can help lessen the burden of the financial hardship aspect through your generosity. Any help you can provide would be such a blessing for Adrianna as she fights a battle for her life against a silent yet deadly disease … mental illness. From birth, she has fought so hard and has always had such a beautiful spirit and kind soul that it breaks my heart to see her suffer so much in a country with limited mental health resources for youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Please share Adrianna’s story with your network of friends. We greatly appreciate ANY AMOUNT you are able to give. Thank you in advance & May God bless you
My name is Ashley Chancellor. Adrianna Hodge is my 15-year old cousin and I’m here to tell her story and to ask for your help.
Born prematurely (weighing a mere 3 lbs. 4 oz.) into an environment of domestic violence my aunt, Angela Hodge,made the very brave decision to leave behind the career and home life she worked so hard to establish to protect her daughter. In less than one week, she relocated to another state to seek safe refuge for herself and Adrianna (then 11 months old) among family.
Adrianna had to overcome several physical and cognitive developmental challenges. With the help of early intervention services, to include multiple assessments, evaluations, speech therapy and occupational therapy, Adrianna developed into a beautiful, healthy child who flourished in the safe environment provided by her mother, grandmother and aunt. Although delayed in her educational milestones and diagnosed with ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive type with underlining anxiety, my aunt fought diligently and advocated persistently to find the resources necessary for Adrianna to succeed. With the implementation of an Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) and tutoring, Adrianna struggled but worked hard and maintained an A/B average through 8th grade. Despite her family’s efforts, at the onset of high school, Adrianna fell into a deep depression and started to struggle even more at school and her grade averages significantly dropped. Adrianna began to isolate herself from family and friends and started to have suicidal ideology, self-harm and purge. After discovering cuts and scars on Adrianna’s arms, my aunt immediately sought the advice of Adrianna’s pediatrician and retained the services of a psychologist and psychiatrist to access and treat Adrianna. In May 2017, Adrianna was diagnosed with major depression, social and generalized anxiety, and a non-specific eating disorder. With consistent therapy sessions and medication management, Adrianna began to stabilize and implement healthy coping skills to combat her mental disorders.
Then in September 2017, tragedy struck. Adrianna’s grandmother, with whom she had a very close relationship with, died. From birth, Adrianna had spent each day of her life seeing and talking with her grandmother. She took care of Adrianna while my aunt worked and was a vital part of Adrianna’s support system as she navigated the many challenges in her young life. Unable to deal with the loss of her grandmother, Adrianna’s depression spiraled out of control and she made her first suicide attempt. Realizing that the treatment Adrianna was receiving was not effective, my aunt sought the assistance of another therapist specialized in animal assisted therapy and a different psychiatrist who worked in the same practice in an effort to provide a streamlined, alternative therapy experience based on Adrianna’s love of animals.
Sadly, after months of psychotherapy, Adrianna regressed. The suicidal thoughts intensified and Adrianna devised a plan to attempt suicide again. My aunt had no choice but to admit Adrianna to an inpatient psychiatric unit for youth. Adrianna remained in the hospital from May 25 through June 13. She was then transferred directly to a partial hospitalization program with a treatment facility specialized in eating disorders and the co-occurring symptoms of depression, anxiety and self-harm where she is currently undergoing intensive treatment.
Due to the significant amount of help Adrianna needs, my aunt had no choice but to take an unpaid leave of absence from work to help support Adrianna in the battle for her life. The program entails a 7-day a week schedule for 8 weeks. My aunt drives 45 minutes twice a day (and some days more than that), 7 days a week to take Adrianna to and from treatment where she remains the entire day. Twice a week my aunt has to directly participate in family therapy, training and team meetings from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm; once a week from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm; every Saturday from 9:15 am to 11:00 pm; and every Sunday from 9:45 am to 3:00 pm.
The total cost of this treatment program is a staggering $48,776! Fortunately, my aunt has insurance but the upfront costs for the deductible and co-insurance is $5,946. This amount is due prior to Adrianna’s discharge from the program on August 8, 2018.
The emotional, physical and financial burden on my auntand Adrianna has been devastating and I am hoping that you can help lessen the burden of the financial hardship aspect through your generosity. Any help you can provide would be such a blessing for Adrianna as she fights a battle for her life against a silent yet deadly disease … mental illness. From birth, she has fought so hard and has always had such a beautiful spirit and kind soul that it breaks my heart to see her suffer so much in a country with limited mental health resources for youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Please share Adrianna’s story with your network of friends. We greatly appreciate ANY AMOUNT you are able to give. Thank you in advance & May God bless you
Organizer and beneficiary
Angela Hodge
Beneficiary