By the time she was 12 years old, Joelle had already known a lifetime of sadness.
Her mother died when she was nine. She and her siblings lived in near poverty with their father in a run-down house. A heavy drinker, her dad was often out of work and physically abusive. There was rarely enough food and her older sister often used babysitting money to buy groceries. When the heat was turned off in winter, they slept by the fireplace, burning wood stolen from neighbors. Just before her 11th birthday, Joelle’s father took the family for a drive after he had been drinking. He collided with an oncoming car, killing a woman and sending the children to the hospital.
It took Joelle several months to recover from her injuries. During that time her father faced criminal charges for the accident and was sent to prison. Joelle was placed in a foster home where she immediately rebelled. She was hostile toward everyone, refusing to bathe or take care of herself, or get out of bed in the morning. She skipped school and spent days walking around. When confronted, her outbursts quickly grew to the point of hysterics. Two turbulent foster placements later, she was referred to the residential treatment program at St. Joseph’s Villa.
It was clear that Joelle was not only grieving the loss of both parents, but coping with deep emotional issues related to her chaotic family history. Her hardened face and somber personality made her seem years older. Helping her feel secure and loved was a priority, so she would be comfortable expressing pent-up feelings. With therapy, consistency and a lot of patience, Joelle began to talk to her residential counselors and therapists. They let her know it was okay to be angry and upset about what she’d been through, and that it wasn’t her fault. They helped her deal with complicated emotions about her father. At the same time, they helped her see how she could steer her life in a different way.
Gradually, there were occasional glimpses of a young girl again. At the Campus School, teachers worked to help her overcome serious speech and reading delays. Surrounded by a circle of care and support, a new Joelle began to emerge. She began to smile more and practice better ways to cope when her emotions ran high. Today Joelle is working toward more independence while living in a Villa Group Home, attending community school, working part-time and exploring possible careers. Though she still works to manage her depression and painful memories, she is armed with a stronger sense of herself and her unique value.
Michael's Story...
