From Darkness to Sunshine
On one day in May of 2015 , Rosa noticed that the creek 50 yards near her house was overflowing . As the water entered her home , she quickly removed Ingrid , her 29 year old daughter , from her wheelchair , placed her on an elevated bed and called 211 requesting emergency evacuation . Within ten minutes the water rose to 12 inches . Firemen and a large bus arrived to safely evacuate the two to a nearby school . The next day she saw the damage wreaked upon her home and the beauty salon equipment she had purchased throughout the years . In spite of this , she recalls not feeling hopeless because she noticed the sunshine and the beautiful smile on her daughter ’ s face . Born without a disability , Ingrid has not spoken since age two and needs total care due to her diagnosis of Rhett Syndrome , IDD and Cerebral Palsy . Rosa was grateful to be alive .
Just nine months before , though , she was overwhelmed and felt like she could no longer live . With the recent and unexpected death of her husband ; the loss of income to pay for shelter , food , transportation and care items for Ingrid ; violent fights between her two sons ; citations issued to her son for not attending school ; and the constant fatigue , depression and crying spells , she felt that there was only one thing to do . She decided to drop her daughter off at the footsteps of The Harris
Center and take her life , feeling that her death was an attractive alternative for all .
As she pushed her daughter up the ramp of the 7011 Southwest Freeway location , she thought about one last farewell to a social worker she had known for 25 years . That call resulted in intervention by IDD Crisis Care , Service Coordination , Mobile Crisis Outreach Team , Community Behavioral Supports Team and the Specialized Treatment and Rehabilitation Services Clinic . Rosa received crisis counseling , an emergency application for a Nursing Home and Community Services ( HCS ) Diversion slot for Ingrid , home visits to address conflict between her sons and follow-up services .
Ingrid now receives HCS services from her mother as Foster Companion Parent . Her brothers have reconciled and are regularly attending school . Rosa receives on-going support from The Harris Center staff , her neighbors and members of her church .
Rosa likes to tell others how she and her adult children have gone from a period of complete darkness to a time of joy and sunshine .
“ I Am Making It !”
Letrice Dennis sees herself as a “ woman who is making it !” She did not have such confidence in 2012 , when she arrived in Houston , Texas .
Having been born a “ country girl ” in the small rural town of Columbia in north Louisiana , she has traveled many bumpy and dangerous roads . She admits some of these dangers were created by self-imposed unhealthy behaviors , while others were beyond her control .
Growing up in a small town did not allow for much economic stability , so her mother decided to move in with a cousin to share living expenses . Regrettably , this resulted in Letrice experiencing four years of physical abuse between the ages of 10-14 . At age 14 , she ran away from home , starting a journey of extreme mood swings , foster care placement , diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder , alcohol and drug abuse , suicidal ideation , multiple admissions to psychiatric hospitals in different cities and on-going relapses .
Letrice did experience joyful moments , such as when she was adopted by one of the foster parents , found her best friend in one of her foster sisters and when she gave birth to three boys and one girl . She also has grandchildren that she loves to spoil .
She recalls that her first visit in 2012 to Houston was intended to be short , to visit family . She then realized that she could receive appropriate help at The Harris Center . She met staff members who helped her to understand her relapses , and realized that her cycles of self-medicating could end her life . Letrice started a regular regiment of taking her prescribed medications , keeping clinic appointments , attending group therapy and maintaining her sobriety .
Today , Letrice happily shares that she is convinced that , “ God led her to where she is today . ” She finds support in her family , lives independently and has a boyfriend . She is a Lead Peer Support Advocate at the Southwest Mental Health Clinic of The Harris Center , where she is empowering others in their journey to recovery .
Annual Report 2015 | Transformation | 7