Success Stories
George and Morris
George is a graduate from Villanova University with a degree in engineering. He has worked in jobs ranging from high school mathematics teacher in Philadelphia to highway engineer. However, in the early 1960’s George began experiencing emotional problems and about fifteen years ago was introduced to Morris through Compeer of Suburban Philadelphia.
“Every week we go out to lunch at the Old Country Buffet,” explained Morris. “After lunch, we usually do our grocery shopping together. It’s nice for the both of us to have a friend for the everyday things we do.”
In addition, they also attend several Compeer events throughout the year such as friendship luncheons and friend picnics. They also are both basketball fans and try to take in a Villanova basketball game as often as possible! “The friendship is mutually beneficial and builds a foundation for trust, acceptance, and understanding,” commented Morris. “Every time we meet we enjoy what each other says and who we are. I am very blessed to have George as a friend.”
Marty’s Story
My name is Marty. I am 55 and a mother of two grown children. I have had many opportunities in life— a loving mother, private school education, summer camp, and a lot of travel. I should have had a comfortable life. But as a teen, I remember being severely depressed. I had a low self-image. I thought about suicide all the time.
I did not seek help until I was 23 when I was hospitalized and diagnosed. By the time I was 40, mental illness was claiming my ability to cope, problem solve, think clearly, use good judgment and maintain relationships. A year and a half ago when I was referred to Compeer, I had destroyed my body with a razor blade; spent my entire life savings on impulse spending and drug addiction; been jailed twice for shop lifting; destroyed my marriage and many of my friendships; lost love from family members; and most importantly I had lost my self-love.
Obviously, Compeer could not keep me from acting out or making wrong choices. What Compeer could do and did was treat me with respect, interact with me as if I was the “Marty” I knew I could be, provide me with opportunities to interact socially with others and give me a friendship that was consistent and affirming.
When I look back on how “out of control” I was a year and a half ago, I am amazed at how far I have come. My health has been restored. I am able to enjoy the gift that life is. Compeer gave me respect, love, care and an offer of friendship. Those things enabled me to break free of my destructive past. I’m extraordinarily grateful!
David’s Story
David is a 60 year old man who lives in a group home where the residents “do nothing but eat, sleep and watch TV”. After being interviewed by Compeer in mid-2004 he wrote the following;
If my memory serves me well, you saw my hell as I tried
To speak of my interests. Truth be told, the only interest I
Have is to find out how a person like me could get so isolated.
My answers to your questions showed how mute I have become on my own.
But I think after all this time I deserve the company of a peer.
And so I request that you try to find someone
Who will bring the best out of me.
This is my wish to you and it is my highest desire.
In November 2004, David was matched with a 46 year old Italian chef originally from NYC. David was introduced to Tony at a Borders bookstore. After reviewing the ground rules of Compeer, the two men decided on a time and place for their first activity together. Tony was the right match for David, with his flamboyant personality, deep caring and a sense of humor with a touch of sarcasm. Tony helped David through a difficult year that included several surgeries and physical therapy to get him walking again. Unfortunately, after 6 months together, Tony moved to New England.
When the opportunity presented itself through Compeer, David agreed to mentor an occupational therapy student from Elizabethtown College for 10 weeks. David’s job was to teach the student about mental illness, how it has affected his life and how he is recovering. With pride, David said, “I think I taught her something!”
During the last week of that mentoring partnership, David was re-matched with a 68 year old accountant to begin a new friendship. Paul likes David very much and says “David is just a normal, ordinary guy who happens to have a mental illness.” They have attended plays, concerts, museums and Longwood Gardens, have tea together on Sunday afternoons, shared photo albums and took a canal boat ride through a tunnel at Union Park. Paul includes David in activities with his extended family and friends.
David’s case manager wrote Compeer saying, “Your organization (Compeer Lancaster) has given much to David and helped him along his road to recovery. I have never seen him so well.”
