Creative Compassion: Persistence and Out-of-the-Box-Thinking Can Change Lives

*Trigger warning: Suicidal thoughts/attempts*

Firsthand’s Akron team has been walking with Sharon on her path to recovery as she navigates her mental health struggles and substance use disorder. Sharon’s life was upended when she made the decision to allow two roommates to live with her and her sister in the house she rented for 12 years. They stole from her and completely trashed her belongings and her home. They refused to leave, and Sharon found her mental health in a very dark place.

Sharon agreed to a virtual visit with our Health Guide Cindy, but then stopped responding when asked about suicide. Sharon missed her virtual visit, so Cindy went to her home. Sharon answered the door and expressed that she was experiencing hallucinations, lack of sleep, paranoia, and suicidal ideation. She was also using meth and had stopped her psych medications and therapy. Sharon did not indicate intent or a plan to carry through with suicide and refused to go to the hospital, but did agree to safety contract with Cindy.

Shron started texting Cindy with phrases like, “Done” and “Ending it”. Several people from the Akron team went to her home to do a wellcheck visit, but there was no answer at the door. The local police were called, but left when they didn’t receive an answer at the door. Cindy knew the Chief of Police and was able to convince him to send officers back to Sharon’s house and do a forced entry. He agreed as long as firsthand staff met the officers at the house. 

The officers pulled out a window AC unit and climbed in through the window. Sharon was found upstairs unconscious. She had attempted suicide by overdose. Paramedics administered Narcan and transported her to the hospital.

Sharon and Minnie

After she was discharged from the hospital, Sharon no longer had a home. She, her sister, and her dog Minnie went to live in a small house with 5 other people. Sharon found it impossible to keep the house clean. Drug use inside was rampant, and personal boundaries were not respected. Sharon is on the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority list to get a voucher, but the wait for housing is long.  

Sharon’s mental health was continuing to decline in the crowded home, and she told me that she was going to live on the streets. I asked if she would consider a homeless shelter, but she refused because she couldn’t take her dog Minnie with her. Minnie is very much a part of her family.

Sharon said her brother wouldn’t allow them to live at his house due to Minnie.  Her brother has a beautiful house and has pets of his own. I asked why her brother didn’t want Minnie at the house; it was because Minnie wasn’t spayed and he didn’t want puppies.I asked Sharon if she would allow Minnie to get spayed if I could find a vet to do it, and she agreed but was very skeptical that I would find anyone to help her. Many people in Sharon’s life have let her down and it’s no surprise that she would feel this way. She was being urged to get rid of Minnie by other people, but that would have been another painful loss for her, in a succession of painful losses.  

I reached out to One of a Kind Pets, which is an animal rescue organization that also performs spay and neuter surgeries. Sharon gave me permission to share her story with the organization, and I asked if they would be willing to cover the cost of the procedure. They agreed!  They responded fast and were so happy to help.They even provided a bag of food and toys after the surgery. Sharon was amazed!  This was a game changer!

Sharon, her sister, and Minnie moved into her brother’s home. The situation is beneficial to everyone, including her brother. Sharon went from suicidal and homeless to thriving and homed within six months. She has stopped using meth and resumed taking her medication, which is working well for her. 

Sharon, Minnie and Andrea (the author)

Sharon has goals!  She signed up for local bus transportation so she can get out of the house and be involved in her community.  Her new goal is to save for a car so she can have more independence.  She is still waiting for her housing voucher, but is living in a safe, clean environment that’s better for her mental health in the meantime.  She’s doing her hair, wearing makeup, and going for walks.  We have plans to check out the Barberton Active Adults Center when the weather improves. Before she felt hopeless, but now she sees possibilities and has a more positive outlook on her life. 

Through our time with Sharon, we learned the importance of individuals being in charge of their own destiny. Every path is different. Expressing their needs and desires, and having those choices be respected, can make a huge difference in an individual’s recovery.

Sharon’s story and photos are shared with her consent and approval.