Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 10
            [date] => 2022-10-19
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => How do you bounce back?
            [author] => Paige Masson
            [article] => 
When your disability decides to transform into a tornado and tear through your safety net, how do you bounce back?



Sometimes this tornado can be physically seen by others. Other times, it manifests as verbal warfare within the mind. In my case, having Bipolar Disorder is mostly invisible. The times it shows up physically though, it's like a storm goes on non-stop for weeks. When those weeks are over, it is clean-up time but...



Where do I begin? Have I done a well enough job at putting speed bumps on my road?

Did I utilize my toolbox to the best of my ability?

 

Mental health is a tricky one. We all experience the good and the bad days. People with Bipolar Disorder experience very intense mood changes. In my case, it took over three weeks to recover from a depressive episode. My room got messy. I missed some days of work. Eating became difficult. Sleeping was the only time I felt okay. I tried to explain the chaos and the pain to the people around me but it felt like I was speaking a foreign language. Regardless of the support and the love my safety net tried to provide, I felt alone and misunderstood.

 

If this feeling feels familiar to you, let me assure you that you are not alone. Let me also assure you that there is hope. Being misunderstood can be alleviated with proper education. After making it through the most recent depressive episodes, I learned a few things about myself.



1. I am resilient beyond comprehension. Having a disability can make someone feel otherwise but the fact that we can rise above its definition and stigmas is to be admired.



2. Happiness can be conserved within my mind and heart. Holding on to the excitement, hope, and love can help carry the weight during dark times. 



3. Patience truly is a virtue. Cleaning up the tornado's mess allows your resilient spirit to shine through. The key to cleaning up the mess is patience.



If you feel alone, please remember that you are not alone. Somebody does care even if that somebody is you. Making it through each day one foot at a time can be just enough to remind yourself that brighter days are ahead, even if they are just existing in your consciousness or dreams for the time being. A doodle by Paige Masson of a woman in a blue dress with a pink belt and yellow hair with thoughts shaped like flowers flowing from the top of her head. On one side of her is "Mania," colored in yellow and reflecting sunshine tornadoes. On the other side, blue for "Depression" with black tornadoes and blue background. Always split in half by the two emotions."

        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 19
            [date] => 2021-02-03
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => We are a preparedness team!
            [author] => Nathan Lungu
            [article] => 
“Moving into my own place for the first time in two years I may have forgotten the importance of being ready for any possible disaster that may arise and unfortunately a little unprepared. The teachings of safety and preparedness from my own parents went over my head as I was more focused on moving into my place than the dangers that can always come up unexpectedly. I was thankful to have ACC with a team of well-prepared and knowledgeable staff to help cover the things I had forgotten.  Lauren Utterback went out of her way to bring me extra face masks and gloves during this uncertain time amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With her help I was able to leave my home with a feeling of being better prepared to stay safe and healthy. Also, her help with putting together a list of emergency contacts and doctor information is now easily readable and hangs on my fridge for anyone that may need it in a hurry. Her suggestions for putting together an ‘emergency preparedness kit’ and the items to include helped me tremendously through a process I started to feel overwhelmed by. I now know I have a team I can go to for anything relating to preparation and safety among a list of other services they provide. 

"Thank you, Lauren, and thank you ACC”

-Nathan Lungu, Consumer of Lauren Utterback, Independent Living Advocate 

        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 17
            [date] => 2021-02-03
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => ACC's Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response services bring peace and security
            [author] => Anonymous
            [article] => 
How has the Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program changed your life?  

Ever since the Thomas Fire this has been in the back of my mind being worried about the electricity going off and all of a sudden PG&E referred me to you and there was an overwhelming amount of peace. It gives you a deep peace to know you’re not subject to the whims of the weather. You can never tell about the unknown factors. You can watch the weather all you want but the reality is you need to be prepared. 

How do you feel about how ACC has helped you prepare for disasters and emergencies? How did you feel before?   

It's like a miracle happened to me. That's the way I feel. In the beginning I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it for the first week or so. It's wonderful, I don't know how to describe it, it's beyond words at times. Before planning with ACC there was nothing and I explored everything to find assistance. Unless I had $5,000 to buy a battery there was nothing for me and I felt frustration that the winds could make them turn the power off. It's nice to be able to do something about it. Before planning it made me feel powerless. It gave me power in this situation to get the planning.  

What is different now that you have the backup battery and disaster plan?

It's peace of mind I guess. It's being proactive instead of waiting for the situation to happen and seeing what help you can find. This program is safety and gives you a nice warm fuzzy feeling.

"ACC isn't like a government agency it's like people helping people. It's real help by real people."

-Michele, Consumer of Lauren Utterback- Independent Living Advocate

        )

)
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