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] => 26
            [date] => 2021-03-18
            [status] => Active
            [new] => 
            [title] => Consumer Testimonial
            [author] => Anonymous
            [article] => 
My name is Ann and I am writing to tell you how deeply grateful I am to the Access Central Coast, Inc for first their loan of a Samsung Chromebook and now the gift of the same. Their generous loan and trust in me literally saved my life. It allowed me to reach out and stay connected with people and my long time Recovery 12 step meetings during the horrible loneliness and isolation of self quarantine for over a year. I am at high risk as a 72 and a half year old Lesbian with chronic PTSD  Survivor of multiple sexual assaults and a hate crime and still suffering from life long ramifications of the abuse along with blocked airway disease from being evacuated in the Woolsey Malibu fires in 2018. Having this Chromebook has empowered me to apply for emergency covid grants of food, help with dental bills, gas and drs bills. It also helped me to keep learning by attending zoom meetings in film theatre art and television. The ACC puts their efforts where their organization’s vision and goals are...helping persons with disabilities. They helped me stay alive and gave me hope.

God Bless Jaydon Gaines and her Associates.

I will forever be grateful for their kindness, support and generosity.

 

        )

)
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