The Fourth Annual RECOVERY IS REAL Gathering
Contributed by Robert Rousseau, NBN Peer Specialist & Communications Representative
Over 200 consumers and mental health professionals gathered to participate in the fourth annual Recovery Is Real event held at the Taunton State Hospital Gymnasium on August 18, 2010. The staff of the Taunton RLC (Recovery Learning Community), led by its acting director, Elizabeth Amaral, was the host for this hope-filled and inspiring day.
The new DMH area director for Attleboro/Taunton, Dan Fischer, MDiv., MA, set the tone for the gathering by sharing his own story of recovery, including how he has dealt with the consequences of being an adult child of alcoholic parents. Ellen Broder-Moore, a Vice President of CCBC (Community Council of Bristol County), lead sponsor of Recovery is Real, spoke of the successful development of the Taunton RLC and the progress being made in creating satellite RLCs in Brockton, Plymouth, and New Bedford. Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. (FHR) and the New Bedford DMH office are collaborating to establish the New Bedford satellite.
FHR’s Southeast Mobile Treatment PACT team was wonderfully represented at the event by five staff members: team leader Michelle Boardman, lead clinician Kristin Young, vocation specialist Kelly Tavares, case manager Melanie Pereira, and peer specialist Bob Rousseau*, who was also one of the event speakers. Several of FHR’s area consumers joined the team, speaking candidly of their recovery story during the “open mic” portion of the day.
A highlight of the day was the presentation of the first Recovery is Real award to peer specialist Scott Francis; the originator of Recovery is Real. Scott believes that everyone can recover from mental illness, and that telling one’s story is an essential and important part of the recovery journey. Scott was an employee of FHR when he organized the first Recovery is Real, and he publicly thanked FHR for underwriting the cost of the first gathering.
Other high points of the day included a panel discussion of four peer associates of the Taunton RLC, who told their recovery stories and answered questions from the audience, including some from FHR consumers. At the end of the day, attendees proclaimed 15 recovery stories, leaving all who participated in this event inspired and further convinced that RECOVERY is real.
*A special guest appearance by singer-songwriter, Country Boy Bob Full-a-hope, got the entire audience involved in participating in his newly-composed song for the gathering: Shout with Me, Recovery is Real.
SHOUT WITH ME: RECOVERY IS REAL
Words and Music by Robert Rousseau
@ Copyright, AmaRou Consultants, August 2010
1.) When I was a child, They said that I was slow.
Learning disabled, and prob’ly wouldn’t grow.
I got treated different, and as this stigma grew
I learned to hide inside myself, not sure what I could do.
But now that I am older, and feeling rather well
I’d just like to tell ‘em all, that they can go to ……Hell-ena, Montana!
Refrain: ‘Cause now I know the truth
And here’s the real deal, I want y’all to shout with me:
RECOVERY IS REAL.
2.) When I went to school, the other kids were cruel
They called me names and caused me pain
But somehow I got through.
But now that I am older, and feeling so much bolder
When I now get treated bad, I give ‘em a cold shoulder.
Refrain
3.) When I went to get a job, was glad that I got hired
But my symptoms acted up, you know that I got fired.
In hospital I was depressed, locked up and all alone
I’d cry and smoke and sleep and eat, and wait to use the phone.
But now that I am older, I’ve moved beyond that crap
When triggered or when breaking down, I can work my WRAP.
Refrain
4.) Now when I get asked to speak, at gatherings like this
I share my hope and story, try to spread a little bliss
And though I have an illness, I know won’t go away
I’m sure that God and you my friends, will help me through the day.
Refrain