Barbara, Ron & Sheryl have all traveled a tough, bouncing, winding road to recovery. Their journeys included incredible peaks and valleys, from childhood traumas, to Vietnam, jail, multiple hospitalizations and even being homeless. Each was wracked by despair and worry about their future.

But along the way they found incredible strength, power and encouragement from their therapists and especially their peers. Peer support gave them hope. They drew strength from socialization with others with similar experiences. They learned to advocate for themselves and others who could not speak for themselves. This empowerment brought self esteem and a voice in the community. It was a voice each learned that would become highly regarded and more importantly heard by policy makers at local, state and federal levels.

Their journeys gave Barbara, Ron & Sheryl a purpose, to give of themselves to help others travel similar paths, to take charge of and manage their illness, to manage their symptoms, and to plan their own recovery.

What does recovery mean to Barbara, Ron & Sheryl? Each has achieved the dream of a fulfilling and productive life, a life not overshadowed by “disability” but, rather one enlightened by their abilities. Each is fully employed in the field of their choosing. They are extremely positive role models for persons with mental illness and addiction. Recovery is not a fantasy. Recovery is real: recovery is achievable. Just ask Barbara, Ron & Sheryl.

For them the sky’s the limit!