Carly’s Story
“Peer support didn’t just give me my life back, but gave me a life I didn’t know I could have.” – Carly
When I think about where I was in my life when I first heard of On the Road to Wellness, it reminds me of how much growth I have made since then. Much of that growth I owe to this community. I first heard of On the Road to Wellness when I was in Parkland’s Behavioral Health Unit after a severe attempt to take my life. I had learned from that experience that I wanted to truly commit to my recovery, but I didn’t know how. My mom told me when I was in the ICU that even though building the skills I needed to grow in my life and recovery was going to be hard, that the skills I built would grow stronger and come easier over time. I just didn’t know where to begin building skills like this outside of the hospital.
I asked in a group at the hospital, “When I get out of here, how am I supposed to stay well? Where can I go to more groups like this? I don’t have any funds to pay for something like this outside of here.” And the facilitator of this group gave me a business card for On the Road to Wellness.
The first time I came here I didn’t know what Intentional Peer Support was, but I felt it. I felt the difference it makes to form real connections with peers versus the distance of being a patient. It was this feeling that drew me back to this community every day for weeks! I started going to any groups I could every day and about a month later I also began working here.
Learning how to be a Peer Support Facilitator has taught me so much about myself. From setting better boundaries, to managing my time better, to how to stick to a routine, to communicating and listening better, etc. etc. Peer support has become such a passion of mine and the greatest teacher I’ve ever had. I love the literature, I love my job, I love this community and my place in it, and I love all of the love folks have for one another.
While I wish I could stay here longer, I am going to be leaving soon to begin a new chapter of my
career. I completed a phlebotomy course this year, and am currently waiting to be placed into an internship. I have grown up with this community over the past 2 years. I started here with no direction, regulation, or sense of belonging in my life. Now I will be leaving here motivated and ex-cited to continue molding a life I love.
I didn’t know life could be something I loved until I started healing, growing, and learning in this community. Peer support didn’t just give me my life back, but gave me a life I didn’t know I could have. My recovery no longer has the restraints and limits I thought it had to have. When I was saving up for my phlebotomy program, I learned I CAN work two jobs. When I took the phlebotomy course, I learned I CAN be successful in school. When times are tough, I learned I CAN have hard feelings and still be ok. Over a year ago, I learned I CAN live my life without a cocktail of medications I have to take every day. During my time here, I learned I CAN make a difference. And my most important lesson I’ve learned is that I CAN have hope and be well.
Thank you so much for all of the love, support, opportunities, and patience you have all had for me! I will never forget that, and I am going to miss being here every day SO MUCH when I leave. I love this community, and my gratitude to be a part of it is infinite ♥ – Carly
Manchester Center Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 – 4:30
Saturdays
8:30 – 12:30
Closed Sundays & Holidays
Manchester Location
On the Road to Wellness
377 South Willow Street B2-4
Manchester NH 03103
603 – 623 – 4523
Derry Center Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 – 4:30
Saturdays
8:30 – 12:30
Closed Sundays & Holidays
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