“On the first day of Christmas, my peers gave to me, HOPE for recovery. On the second day of Christmas, my peers gave to me, SELF-DIRECTION, and HOPE for my recovery …” So sang Veterans participating in the Lovell FHCC Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) program at their holiday party Dec. 17. Veterans and their families, and PRRC staff, gathered to celebrate the season and enjoy a scrumptious meal planned and prepared by the Veterans themselves. About 20 to 25 Veterans started cooking the day before to get the meal ready for the party. “It was something to see them all lined up here in the kitchen, working on different parts of the meal,” said Janet Callahan, PRRC section chief. Preparing the meal in the PRRC kitchen, Callahan said, served the dual purpose of providing food for the party and allowing the Veterans to practice life skills. “On the third day of Christmas, my peers gave to me PEER SUPPORT, SELF-DIRECTION, and HOPE for my recovery ….” Everyone joined Sonya Ebhotemen, peer support specialist, in singing carols she craftily rewrote to inspire and motivate the Veterans, many who are living with mental illness and recovering from addictions. The PRRC offers many services including social skills training; psycho-educational and illness-management classes; wellness and family education, and peer support services. “On the fourth day of Christmas, my peers gave me gave to me STRENGTH-BASED APPROACH, PEER SUPPORT, SELF-DIRECTION, and HOPE for my recovery …” The song continued, adding such phrases as “empowerment,” “person-centered care,” “responsibility,” “hiccups in the road,” “holistic options,” and respect and dignity. Veteran Tony Puchalski played uplifting Christmas and other music on his Native American instruments, including some songs he composed himself. Veteran Valerie Taylor recited some of her own heartfelt poetry. Several Veterans sang karaoke songs of their choice for fellow PRRC patients. “This is wonderful,” said Veteran Russell Salmi, who helped cook, and also led the singing with another Veteran and Ebhotemen. “It’s very nice and a good opportunity for us to be together to celebrate.”
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:19:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015