Whole-Healthy Living (Mind, Body, & Spirit)

Hello, my name is Velia, and I need your help to finish the last four weeks of an eight-week IOP (Intensive Out Patient) program at the Meadows in Scottsdale, Arizona, where I’m being treated for childhood trauma that has manifested itself in CPTSD, anxiety, depression, and co-dependency.

 

When I moved to Seattle in 2008, I felt like I got a fresh start in life.  Moving away from Arizona put a physical, and thus an emotional, distance between myself and my childhood.  I lived in the Seattle area for 14 years, and while I still struggled with the self-destructive behavior that can derive from a troublesome upbringing, the distance allowed me to live my own life.  So when a better opportunity came calling from Arizona, I thought I could handle moving back home.  After all, time heals all wounds.  But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

 

Soon after I started my new job, my childhood trauma reared its head like a blazing dragon.  I found myself triggered by familiar people, places, and experiences.  My mental health was affected, and my body began to react.  I suffered from inflammation.  My calves turned red and tight.  I found myself unable to concentrate at work.  I found myself having difficulty controlling my emotions, and I felt unsafe, angry and distrustful sometimes to those around me. I was mentally and physically sick. Things couldn’t continue this way.  The way things were going, I would lose my job, livelihood, and life as I knew it.  I had to seek help.

 

The journey has been long.  It’s taken me a year, but I eventually was led to “The Meadows”.  The Meadows is an outpatient treatment center in Scottsdale, Arizona, that helps adults address behaviors by getting to the core issues behind them.  They work to resolve root causes so that patients like myself can find lasting freedom from addiction, trauma, depression, and anxiety.

 

So far, I’ve spent four weeks at the Meadows. I've learned a lot about myself. I've discovered that my anger and uncontrolled emotions were classic symptoms of CPTSD.  I’ve learned a lot of self-regulation tools and coping skills, which are having a profound positive impact on my life. I’m able to use these tools to calm and regulate my nervous system so I can function better in my everyday activities and interactions.  For the first time in my life, I can cope with things that I haven’t in a while and others I’ve never been able to.

So this is where I need your help.  I still have four weeks left at the Meadows.  I’ve paid for what I can out of my pocket, but I’m struggling to come up with the money to pay for the rest.  I don’t like having to do this, but I humbly ask that you might donate whatever you can to help me reach the finish line.  All funds will be used to pay for the remaining balance at The Meadows Outpatient Center, not covered by myself or my insurance.  My goal is $5500, but every little bit helps.  I truly appreciate anything you can give, even if it’s your encouragement and prayers.

 

Thank you,

Velia