Our Stories

A Letter from Beatrice
Amazing Grace
A Long Road to Recovery
Trish & Herb Still Together After All of Those Places

A Letter from Beatrice

J'ai connu des moments difficiles dans ma vie qui m'ont traumatizé. C'est pourquoi je dois faire de tout mon possible avec Benoit Mireault pour surmonter les obstacles, et guérir de mon chagrin.

Avec le service Passages, sous la direction de Benoit, j'ai obtenu un logement, qui me permet de mieux réfléchir sur ce que je suis, et sur mon avenir. En plus, j'ai pu mener à bien mes études, et trouver un emploi à mi-temps. Enfin, je pense que le service Passages m'aide à accomplir, et réaliser beaucoup de choses d'une très grande valeur.

Beatrice NKundwa

I have experienced difficult times in my life that have traumatized me. That is why I must do everything possible with Benoit Mireault, to overcome obstacles and get better.

With the services of Passages (French Language Community Support Service), and the help of Benoit, I was able to find a place to live, which has allowed me to reflect on who I am and what my future holds. As well, I was able to get back to my studies, and to find a part-time job. Finally, I think that the Passages program helps me to accomplish things that are very important.

Beatrice NKundwa

>> Return to top

Amazing Grace

My name is Joy. I have bipolar disorder and one day just like that I walked out of my house and was living on the streets. I would walk the streets during the day, hanging out at the pizza shop until they kicked me out, then I would walk the streets some more. I washed up at McDonalds and stayed there until my coffee money ran out and I was finally kicked out. At nighttime I would go to Coffee Time but they would kick me out when I ran out of money at around two or three o'clock in the morning. I would walk until I found refuge in a bus shelter then stay there until morning broke. This continued for weeks. That's when I decided enough is enough and called a half way house that I once lived at. The women at the half way house gave me the number to a women's shelter. I stayed there for four days until I was shipped off to another shelter. Again I was moved to a place for homeless women. The whole time my family was not aware of my situation. Then one day when I was in Coffee Time, John Artis approached me and asked if my name was Joy McRae.

Amazing Grace, I once was lost but now I am found, thanks to John Artis and myself. I now live in my very own bachelor apartment on Weston Road.

Joy McRae

A Long Road to Recovery

Battista was first hospitalized at the age of twenty-seven, only six months after the birth of her son. The next twenty-five years of her life followed a path of severe depression and hospitalization followed by mania then hospitalization, and so the cycle continued. Medications were changed, increased, decreased and changed again. She spent numerous years in a state of patienthood, suffering from isolation, loneliness and hopelessness.

I remember clearly my first contact with Battista two years ago, as it was apparent that she had little trust or faith in service providers. The many telephone calls that I made to her were abruptly ended, Battista stating that she did not want to talk and then 'clunk' went the receiver. Eventually she agreed to a visit. I arrived at her apartment at an agreed upon date and time. She did not answer. I left a note. This pattern continued for several weeks until she finally answered her door.

Over the next weeks and months Battista shared her experiences with years of illness and the many hardships she had endured. She had been hospitalized dozens of times and had been so heavily medicated that she literally slept away years of her life. Battista soon requested that I accompany her into the community for various appointments and errands. We began to develop a mutually respectful, caring and trusting relationship. In getting to know Battista it was evident that this woman has so very much to offer and so much more to get out of life. She is a sensitive, kind and grateful woman despite her life circumstances. She is a woman possessing many skills and talents; organized, resourceful and efficient at any task she puts her mind to. And what a sense of humour!

Battista's struggles did not miraculously disappear thereafter. She has had to deal with recurring bouts of mania, depression and subsequent hospitalizations, but her courage and perseverance have never wavered. Upon discharge from hospital, she diligently takes her medication and eagerly responds to our visits. Battista, her psychiatrist and I work as a team, keeping a close eye out for early warning signs, discussing medication adjustments and increasing support in the community when needed.

Battista was last hospitalized in March 2003. She has not returned to hospital in seven months, the longest period of time in many years. In that time she has made tremendous strides in her recovery. She is now grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning for herself. In appointments with her psychiatrist she no longer sits submissively, but speaks with assertiveness and pride. She has made friends in her apartment building and has gone out for coffee or lunch with a number of neighbours. She is able to spend more meaningful time with her children and grandchild. She walks daily and has quit smoking. She voted in the recent election, for the first time in years - a contribution that Battista feels particularly proud of.

Battista's smiling face and zest for life is an inspiration to us all. It has been a long journey but she is finally on the road to recovery. Congratulations Battista!

Jeanette McLeod
Community Support Worker

Trish & Herb Still Together After All of Those Places

Eight years of 'couch surfing', dealing with bi-polar disorder and depression. Most people would find it hard to believe that we are still together. There were times when we were separated, I might have been in the hospital or on the 'streets', he likewise. Those were the hardest times being out there alone, without hope, feeling empty. But somehow, we always found each other. Sometimes we found a place together at market rent. We had to choose to pay the rent or to buy food to eat. We longed for the 'things' most people take for granted, a telephone, a television, a safe place to sleep. A place to be together. A place to call our own.

During those eight years there were times when we lost hope that things would change, we lost faith that the "system" would help us…. But we held on to our love for each other and that has seen us through the hard days and nights. Even our dog Pokemon got "depressed" when she had to stay with a staff member from Toronto North before we were able to move into "our brand spanking new apartment".

Trish

>> Return to top