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In 1998, Lisa was looking for help - she just didn't know what
kind.
"I wandered into a Jewish temple on Olentangy River
Road. I was making up stories so I could get money to gamble
with. They could see that I needed more than money. And they
called Jewish Family Services."
A JFS therapist met Lisa at the temple that day. They talked for
an hour, the first of many they'd spend together over the next
few years as Lisa battled with demons from her past and
struggled to live in the present. Today, with her case closed
and her energy focused on recovery, Lisa lives a healthier, more
independent life.
"Just meeting my JFS therapist was good therapy for me
because I was learning to trust."
Getting help wasn't easy. Lisa had tried it before and had
gotten hurt - an experience that compounded her fears. But the
care and respect she received from the staff at Jewish Family
Services made the difference. Being able to talk about her
feelings was a significant step forward. While she admits it was
scary at first, once Lisa started talking about the issues, she
became more comfortable and trusting. Lisa learned how to be
more open and honest with people instead of hiding how she felt.
And with tools that taught her to focus on what she was grateful
for, Lisa learned how to get through each day.
"My relationships with people got better. I was thinking
through my feelings a lot more and I was communicating better
when I was having a problem."
Lisa's outlook on life improved. She had new ways to think about
and deal with her problems, helpful tools and resources she
could rely on. Rather than try and numb her feelings as she had
in the past, Lisa - with JFS's help - started to deal with them.
Her progress manifested itself in many tangible successes, like
moving into a healthier living situation and turning to Jewish
Family Services for support when her father passed away.
Occasionally she relapsed, but the strength of the foundation
JFS helped Lisa build enabled her to stay honest with herself
and get the help she needed much more quickly.
"I'd rather go without something than see a friend of
mine go without."
Lisa is a giver. Through her mother's death from lung cancer and
he sister's struggle with unemployment, Lisa gave so much of
herself - to the point where she herself was at risk. Having
reached an emotional breaking point and having depleted her own
financial resources, Lisa realized the toll these challenges had
taken on her and sought out Jewish Family Services. Very quickly
she got back in control.
Lisa has learned to manage her depression, in part by learning
to manage her days. Once she realized that she needed to stay
busy in order to stay strong, she filled her days with
supportive groups, classes and programs. Now that she's not
thinking about gambling or over-dosing, Lisa has the ability to
focus on each day.
"When I see people worse off than I am it makes me
appreciate what I do have."
Today Lisa has found healthier ways to help others. She always
looked forward to Jewish Family Services' annual Picnic in the
Park, a fun project she volunteered her help on so she could
give back to the agency for the help she has received.
Lisa channels her passion for helping others into mission work.
From Appalachia to Mexico, she's tries to do one mission trip
each year.
"I feel good about the way things are falling into place
right now."
Learning to trust other people
People gave to her so she is now able to give back
Taught her to live, taught her to trust
Journaling was a great help, a great tool
Lisa was accustomed to loss. Loss of family, job, trust
Helped her see and focus on her small victories, understand what
she should be grateful for
Puts her energy into helping herself and helping others,
missionary work
It wasn't just getting help, but learning to trust other people
so they could help her
In 1998 Lisa was coming out of (bad things) and wandered into
something good
Lisa spends her days getting help and giving help
Lisa finds peace in helping others
Lisa helps herself by helping others
Learning to reach out, to ask for help, to trust
Lisa has had to learn a lot of things
Lisa likes to color. It lets her focus
It was a little bit scary at first, but JFS helped her learn to
trust, learn to talk
Lisa was looking for help
Lisa is soft-spoken, quiet even
My friends call me the Microwave Queen
Born in Defiance, Ohio, but have been in Columbus since 3rd
grade, Columbus is where I grew up.
I have two older sisters; both parents have died. That seems
weird, working my way through that. Mom has been gone three
years in November. I had a lot in common with my dad but then when he
died I got close with my mom until she got sick.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer in the end of January of 2004, and
died November 16, 2004. Dad had brain tumor.
My oldest sister, who lives in Memphis, TN, was born blind and went to
the blind school here.
My other sister lives here in town, in my mom's old condo. We see
each other a few times a month and talk about every day. We got
closer when my mom was sick, it brought us together.
Through her work with JFS, Lisa has found help - help for
herself, and the capacity to help others.
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