From a Recovery Support Specialist

From a Recovery Support Specialist

I believe my prayers were answered, they were, “Please, God show me the way to get better & I’ll volunteer my time to show others”.

I called Jim Taliaferro Community Mental Health Center. This started the process, I started counseling twice a week with a great LPC, & I had Dr. Visits. With Medication & counseling I was stabilized, even though I was indigent I received medication & counseling. As I grew in my recovery, my LPC told me she knew of a job perfect for me, Recovery Support Specialist. I had researched a evidence based program “PACT” Program of Assertive Community Treatment, the program was designed for two main Dx., Schizophrenia, paranoid type & Bipolar type 1 with psychotic episodes. With the help of someone, I became a volunteer on The PACT team. My Goals were to learn how to help individuals live a Happy & Rewarding life, Stable, Active, Involved & Giving back. I brought with me my learned life experiences & my smile. I wanted to become directly involved in the lives of people who suffer living with severe mental illness, mainly Bipolar type 1 with psychotic episodes. I wanted to get to know the individual on a personal level, and create a rapport where I make a commitment to that person’s health and wellness. I want to make a difference in people’s lives, I wanted to let everyone that was living with mental illness know we can live a Happy, productive, rewarding life And if I can change even one life for someone, that is worth more than gold to me, hey I was a volunteer, before I was hired as a CPRSS.

And my job specifically? I am employed as a “Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist.” A peer specialist is a mental health professional who has personal lived experience with mental illness. Peers have suffered mental strife themselves, and so they are able to understand and empathize with their clients. This type of experience cannot be learned in university. And so, peers have expertise that doctors and social workers do not.

Once I heard about Recovery Support Sp., I instantly wanted to become a Recovery Support Sp., myself. Volunteering on the PACT team & this is where I was then hired for a full-time position. I was lucky to have 2 RN’s that were very helpful by teaching me, giving me understanding, each having over 20 years experience. One person was a Case Mgr. on PACT that taught me a lot and was very helpful helping me understand some of the best ways to provide support services. The lessons & knowledge that they shared, I do not have words for all I learned that has let me give the support to PACT’s individuals to reach their recovery Goals.

Now , I have grown to include being a Certified Behavior Health Case Mgr and Wellness Coach with My Proud title Certified Recovery Support Specialist. I have a case load of consumers and all the responsibilities of just like all PACT Case mgrs.
I have started many Peer to Peer group activities, The longest continuous running Peer to Peer is Walk & Talk activity, Beverly now facilitates, Bev is also an CPRSS, Case Mgr. The Peer to Peer Activity I’m the most proud of is, PACT’s Federally Recognized Peer Volunteer group activity, doing volunteer work at The Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge that in April 2019 turned 8years old. I have advocated, linked & referred many to be able to be a volunteer at places such as, but, not limited to, the Lawton Library, The Lawton Food Bank & the longest running continuous running Volunteer of PACT , in Oct. 2018 was 7 years volunteering for JTC maintenance dept.. This individual with funding from DRS graduated ASI Certified mech from Great Plains vo-tech.

State wide I’ve been Nominated 3 times and received the award for “Excellence in Changing Attitudes”, this award is presented to the group of people or person who takes action to eliminate stigma and provide access to services for all Oklahomans.

I give support to Lawton’s NAMI & The Salvation Army.

I really like being a Recovery Support Sp., especially because I can be open with me living with my mental illness. Specifically, I am diagnosed with Bipolar type 1 & I have had psychotic episodes. This condition profoundly impaired my life during my thirties, When I was 37, in 1996, I was Dx., I was married for 14 yrs., son 9yrs old, had been successful in the auto business growing to be The Consumers relations Mgr & Finance and licensed Insurance Business Mgr. & my current job when I was Dx in 1996 was Goodyear tire & rubber for 6 yrs perfect attendance. I then attempted to restart my life many times, I failed, at JTCMHC, I started for the first time working a plan of recovery, my treatment plan.

Being a peer specialist is very rewarding. Not only can I be open about my diagnosis, but my experiences are even seen as a strength. No longer do I need to feel that shame, but instead I can feel pride. Pride, that I have overcome the devastation that my mind once inflicted upon me. Gratitude, that I have many stories to tell and memories to recall which can help ease the pain of others. . I could not do this without the support of the PACT team,/my co-workers, no stigma– wow– what a place to be JTC PACT.

I have learned to pick the best time to share, how much to share and what to share.

I like to start with, Hi, I’m Randy, my role is Recovery Support Sp. & I’m a made case mgr. Do you know what a Recovery a Support Sp. is. If, the answer is “no” I say we are living well in our recovery with mental illness or in recovery from some type of substance abuse or both. I’m living well in my recovery with Bipolar type 1 and I have had psychotic episodes. I’ve been inpatient hospitalized several times. I’ve lived it. Just know… I’m here so that I can relate to you. I know where you’re coming from.
Whenever I say this, I feel like the individual relaxes & it immediately becomes easier for me to casually talk with the person. My hope is to strike a chord within the person, wherein s/he can feel safe and open. On the job, I have learned that this type of relationship allows me to encourage and inspire a individual to reach for greater wellness and recovery in their own lives. I could not do this without the support of the PACT team,/my co-workers, no stigma– wow– what a place to be JTC PACT.

There are various other responsibilities that keep me busy on the job as well. I act as an advocate by accompanying individuals on PCP & other Dr. Visits. Teaching how to use public transit. I help re connect the individual with family. I help the individual further their education or gain employment, working hand & hand with someone of DRS or voc-rehab giving needed support & advocating for needed services or funding. I help When our consumers need assistance with getting government documents such as birth certificates and non-driver’s IDs. The process of getting together the correct paperwork can be very stressful for individuals, But by being there with support of teaching & education of the process, their anxiety is eased. I also visit individuals at their homes and teach and educate ADL skills (Adult Daily Living skills) such as, but not limit to, helping with support of a healthy diet choices and help with making out a shopping list, I encourage healthy food, veggies & fruit, support with house cleaning, cooking and budgeting.
The intent is that the individual will learn skills that allow them to live with greater independence.
Living a Happy, Rewarding Life,
Stable,
Active in the community,
Involved with family & in the community
Giving back to family & the community.

The greatest fulfillment I experience as a peer is developing that one-on-one relationship with the individual . Spending quality time with the individual , getting to know the individual, and ultimately helping the individual feel more confident. Helping the individual to realize that they are in the driver’s seat of their own personal recovery and independence. I also try to personally “practice what I preach.” I aim for a high level of wellness in my own life, so as to be an example of it to our consumers. My wife and I have been together 16 happy years, I’m still very close to my son & on August 07, 2019 I turn 13 years employed on The JTC PACT Team. To talk about wellness is one thing, but to actually live it is something else. I attempt to demonstrate this, recovery, in my own life.

I also channel my creativity into my current peer work.

I am Lucky to work for an agency with a PACT Team that listens to my goals, wants & desires for our consumers & gives me guidance with support that allows for me to make my goals for our individuals happen.

** People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.
~Zig Ziglar~