Darrell's "Thank You, Caretakers!"
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It's that time again. I am reaching out to friends and family who have an interest in helping those affected by a severe mental illness. As many of you know my brother Darrell suffers from schizophrenia. It is a chronic, incurable mental disorder that he has had his entire adult life. To read more about schizophrenia https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
This was not a particularly good year for Darrell. He destabilized quite a bit. Due to his paranoia and destabilization he became violent for the first time, and as a result was hospitalized in an Intensive Care Psychiatric Unit. The reason he was sent to an ICU and not jail was because of the amazing staff at his residence Glen-Park, who know Darrell well and care about him. From the ICU he was discharged into a skilled nursing facility in Burbank, which was less than sub-par. His identification and medical bracelet went missing, as did all of his clothes. Any resolution was impossible without involving authorities. After months of medication adjustments and improvements the kind staff at Glen-Park invited Darrell to return. I am telling you this because there are many places that would not have let him return. They know he is a kind and gentle man, and trusted that with the medication intervention he would return to his old self. He did. He is back up in weight and has been able to once again participate in the day program Turning Point through Mission Community Hospital, an off-site program paid for by Medicare. To learn more about this program, check out http://www.mchonline.org/hospital-services/psychiatric-crisis-intervention-and-assessment
Another event that happened this year was that due to Darrell's difficulty with personal hygiene, common to those with schizophrenia, he had all of his back bottom teeth removed. Brushing one's teeth may seem like an easy enough task, but for someone who suffers from a mental illness it may feel impossible. Thoughts like "I think my toothpaste is laced" can put an end to this simple routine. It then becomes clear why a mental illness can lead to poor health.
Darrell was fitted for dentures months ago, but due to the disruption in his life he did not receive them until he moved back to Glen-Park. Again, the staff has stepped up to the plate, and we worked out a routine to help him manage cleaning his dentures.
This fundraiser is NOT tax deductible. It is a gift for the staff that helps over 80 residents who suffer from severe mental illnesses. The staff at Valley-Glen is kind, loving, and caring, many have been there for decades, and work for low wages with most of them working for minimum wage. The individuals who suffer from severe mental illnesses and live in these kinds of residential facilities rely on the kindness of caretakers. Your GIFT is a message to these caretakers that they are valued and the work they do is substantial.
I will present our gift to the staff at their annual holiday party. If anyone is interested in attending, be sure to stay in touch and I will give you the time and date. Please pass this on if you think someone would benefit from reading this.
I am also collecting used men's and women's clothes, as well as new socks and underwear. Please send me a direct message to arrange getting items to me.
On behalf of Darrell and the Glen-Park staff thank you for considering a gift for the holiday season.
Love,
April
This was not a particularly good year for Darrell. He destabilized quite a bit. Due to his paranoia and destabilization he became violent for the first time, and as a result was hospitalized in an Intensive Care Psychiatric Unit. The reason he was sent to an ICU and not jail was because of the amazing staff at his residence Glen-Park, who know Darrell well and care about him. From the ICU he was discharged into a skilled nursing facility in Burbank, which was less than sub-par. His identification and medical bracelet went missing, as did all of his clothes. Any resolution was impossible without involving authorities. After months of medication adjustments and improvements the kind staff at Glen-Park invited Darrell to return. I am telling you this because there are many places that would not have let him return. They know he is a kind and gentle man, and trusted that with the medication intervention he would return to his old self. He did. He is back up in weight and has been able to once again participate in the day program Turning Point through Mission Community Hospital, an off-site program paid for by Medicare. To learn more about this program, check out http://www.mchonline.org/hospital-services/psychiatric-crisis-intervention-and-assessment
Another event that happened this year was that due to Darrell's difficulty with personal hygiene, common to those with schizophrenia, he had all of his back bottom teeth removed. Brushing one's teeth may seem like an easy enough task, but for someone who suffers from a mental illness it may feel impossible. Thoughts like "I think my toothpaste is laced" can put an end to this simple routine. It then becomes clear why a mental illness can lead to poor health.
Darrell was fitted for dentures months ago, but due to the disruption in his life he did not receive them until he moved back to Glen-Park. Again, the staff has stepped up to the plate, and we worked out a routine to help him manage cleaning his dentures.
This fundraiser is NOT tax deductible. It is a gift for the staff that helps over 80 residents who suffer from severe mental illnesses. The staff at Valley-Glen is kind, loving, and caring, many have been there for decades, and work for low wages with most of them working for minimum wage. The individuals who suffer from severe mental illnesses and live in these kinds of residential facilities rely on the kindness of caretakers. Your GIFT is a message to these caretakers that they are valued and the work they do is substantial.
I will present our gift to the staff at their annual holiday party. If anyone is interested in attending, be sure to stay in touch and I will give you the time and date. Please pass this on if you think someone would benefit from reading this.
I am also collecting used men's and women's clothes, as well as new socks and underwear. Please send me a direct message to arrange getting items to me.
On behalf of Darrell and the Glen-Park staff thank you for considering a gift for the holiday season.
Love,
April
Organizer
April Blair
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA