One Step at a Time

When Clea began working with Tommy, he was facing a deeply challenging situation. His Social Security payments had stopped, leaving him without income or guidance on how to navigate the system. He was struggling with depression, feeling purposeless and overwhelmed. His health concerns were compounded by discouragement from the lack of progress with medical professionals.

Clea also felt daunted by the complexity of his needs. She had limited experience with these systems and wasn’t sure where to begin. However, Tommy’s story moved her profoundly. His resilience inspired her, and despite not having all the answers, she felt a strong commitment to support him.

Now, after more than a year of working together, Clea can confidently say that Tommy is in a much better place. One of their first major victories was restoring his Social Security payments. The relief was immediate. Tommy could breathe easier knowing he had income again. He could afford to eat and pay his bills.

Clea has continued to support Tommy through his mental and physical health journeys. She has helped him find a psychiatrist and therapist he feels comfortable with, discussed medication options, and attended therapy sessions alongside him. She also accompanies him to medical and specialist appointments, offering transportation and communication support.

During these visits, Tommy benefits greatly from Individualized Home Support (IHS). He can become flustered when misunderstood or confused by medical staff. Clea’s presence helps bridge those gaps, ensuring clearer communication and more effective care.

Tommy often expresses deep gratitude for Clea’s support. He tells her she has made his day, week, or even year. He frequently shares that he couldn’t have made the progress he has without her help and is always complimentary of their work together.

With newfound stability, Tommy has begun to thrive in his personal interests. He is now active in church, volunteering, taking computer literacy classes, and going to the gym. These are all activities Clea helped him research and initially attended with him. One particularly touching moment occurred when Tommy broke down in tears of joy after Clea offered to help him explore different churches to find the right fit. He felt truly seen and cared for.

Clea understands that Tommy benefits from body doubling, which means having a supportive presence during new or challenging activities. He is shy and finds comfort in familiar faces. Clea’s encouragement has helped him take those first steps toward greater independence.

Tommy has shared that his life is improving, that things are finally getting better, and that he sees a light at the end of the tunnel. His progress spans mental health, physical well-being, financial stability, and community engagement. All of this has been supported through IHS.

For Clea, seeing Tommy flourish is deeply rewarding. It fuels her passion for providing life-changing IHS support not only to Tommy, but also to everyone on her caseload who benefits from these vital services.