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Telecare Employees Share Stories of Recovery
July 06, 2004
Telecare is proud and lucky to have a large number of employees who are willing to share their stories of recovery. Here are the stories of Diane Lira, Denise Hynes, and Richard Koogle.
Diane Lira, San Antonio ACT Services
Diane LiraDiane was diagnosed with a mental illness in 1981. Her recovery journey was difficult and long. She initially struggled with accepting the fact that she was "mentally ill." She was hospitalized many times and tried many medications, but she was not able to become stable until Depakote became available in the early 90's. From 1996 through 1998 Diane was able to work at the Center for Health Care Services in San Antonio, Texas as a receptionist and as a medical records clerk. She then was employed working for the Center's ACT team. In June of 2002, Diane came to work for Telecare's San Antonio program. She worked for a couple of weeks as a temporary receptionist, and then was rehired to teach the IADL curriculum to consumers. Diane has also worked as an Employment Specialist and now is working in the capacity of Consumer Specialist. Diane has been the program's Employee of the Month twice, and has received the Safety Award twice. She is well respected by staff and consumers alike, and most recently was the recipient of the "El Sol" award presented to her at the annual South Texas Family Support Conference in recognition of her contribution towards the advancement of Mental Health and Mental Retardation services in South Texas. Way to go, Diane!
Denise Hynes, La Casa PHF
Denise has been a great rehab therapist at the La Casa PHF in Long Beach, California, and her contribution as a person in recovery continues to improve the quality of rehab service at La Casa and has been appreciated by consumers and staff. This is her story, in her words.
"It's hard to believe I have been working for Telecare for more than a year now. This is my first full-time job since 1996. In 2002, I graduated from California State University, Fullerton, Summa cum Laude. I am currently working on my Master's degree in Social Work at CSULB. Some people may say, "So what's the big deal?"
"I was dually diagnosed as having Bipolar Disorder and being an alcoholic/ addict after many years of pain and suffering. By 1989, I had been through numerous recovery programs and had been hospitalized for suicide attempts too many times to count. I became homeless at this time and I truly believed my life was over. However, I did not know my life was really just beginning.
"Originally from Massachusetts, my drinking, using, and mental illness led me to move from one city to another hoping to find the right combination of a job, home, and mate that would make me and my life happy. However, no matter where I went, I always ended up with the same results - drinking, using, and being desperate and alone. The program of Alcoholics Anonymous eventually taught me that the definition of "insanity" was doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Additionally, no matter where I went, I took myself with me, and until I changed something about myself, my life would not change either. I finally stopped drinking and using in September of 1989 and I now have 15 years of sobriety.
"However, there was another piece of the puzzle that needed to be found and put into place. Most of my life I had been treated for Major Depression and had taken numerous antidepressants, but to no avail. After being sober about five years, I experienced a major breakdown and had to quit the three jobs I was working and I became completely debilitated. I had been seeing a therapist at the time and she recommended that I see a psychiatrist for a full evaluation. After a thorough evaluation, I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, depressive type. Finally, the other puzzle piece had been found.
"Proper treatment, medication, ECT treatments, and working a recovery program allowed me to gain a foothold on life again. I have had many ups and downs through my process back to wellness, but I can honestly say - I'm finally back! Life often presents us with painful, confusing situations and we do not always understand why. This was how I felt about my battle with my illnesses. Today I can honestly say that my illnesses were gifts in disguise, as they allow me to share my experience, strength, and hope with others like myself, so that they too can become independent, fulfilled, useful people once again. For this, I am truly grateful."
Richard Koogle, CHANGES
Richard Koogle
Anne, Richard, RossRichard has been a Telecare employee for 30 years. He recently retired from CHANGES, in Oakland, California. CHANGES sent him off with a fantastic lunch party. After being a client at Gladman, Richard was hired in 1974 at Gladman Day Treatment. He has been an exemplary example of the recovery model; he's been living it for years, even before it became a treatment model! Richard has been involved in the arts and has always shared his passions with his co-workers and clients. He has been a source of support for innumerable Telecare employees and certainly for the people he has helped in their personal recovery journeys. Ross Peterson, VP of Development, said, "Richard really cares about what he does." This is evident from all the words of praise heaped upon him at his retirement lunch. Congratulations, Richard, and enjoy your retirement!
Thanks to Diane, Denise and Richard for sharing their stories.
