What the People are Saying
In a handwritten letter to HCRT, Stella wrote “There are not enough words to express my gratitude to HCRT and especially my dear therapist, Rose. After my devastating accident, I found myself in this dark and very painful place of struggle and depression, and to tell the truth, even psychological counseling didn’t help. Finally, I agreed to RT. Rose came to my house and that’s how magic started. We clicked instantly. Rose always had a plan where to go, what to see; plays, museums, theaters, parks, architecture, greenhouses, concerts, fishing, fairs, bookshops- you name it, we’ve done it all. In my Russian language, there is a saying, “There would be no happiness, but misfortune helped.” My physical and emotional recovery progressed unbelievably thanks to beautiful people, real professionals working in this agency”.
Pam volunteers every week at the Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue in Belleville with her recreation therapist. She loves that her recreational therapy helps her stay active in the community, and volunteering her time fosters positive self-esteem and a sense of giving back. Pam says, “The kitten room is my favorite place to hang out, and the free animal therapy doesn’t hurt either!”
HCRT is the reason why I'm talented because my therapist helped me choose and buy the material and taught me how to make my items. It was your company that got me into my art and crafts, and I wanted to Thank You for working with me.
— Tyneshia
Brian enjoyed some fishing this week. As a favorite pre-MVA activity, fishing is a meaningful activity to Brian that also helps him work on functional skills. When he participates in this meaningful activity he also works on improving his activity endurance, increased community engagement, fine motor skills, positive coping, and memory carryover of fishing skills. It was a beautiful day! At the end of Brian’s fishing outing he said, “My attitude is going to be positive for the rest of the day now!”
— Brian
I’ve been working with a Recreational Therapist for over a year now. It’s kind of hard for me to meet people because I live on a farm; most of my friends are cows and chickens! Also, I can’t drive a car because of my TBI. Kellie helps me find, and get to, opportunities to meet people. In the past, I’ve made friends with a couple of the other clients I met through the group outings with Recreation Therapy. We went out to dinner, went bowling and went fishing at a picnic we all had. Fishing is a hobby of mine.
One of my goals for 2021 was to make my garden bigger and to be able to sell more produce from my veggie stand. Kellie helped me learn to build a grow light stand to start seedlings; it was fun to put together. Then we planted the seedlings in raised garden beds and used adaptive gardening. This helped me be safer and more independent with my garden this year. I already have some ideas about making it better for next year.
— Caleb
Warren and his therapist attended Arts, Beats and Eats. They worked on navigating his wheelchair in a larger crowd, safety awareness, social pragmatic skills, decision making, direction following, increased participation in meaningful activities, community reintegration and resources and mood stabilization.
Warren said, "I feel the happiest and the best when I am on outings with you. I always feel happy and get to do things that I used to not be able to do. Thank you so much."
"I never knew how much I enjoyed painting before we started coming here. It's really relaxing and I get to just paint it how I want to; take my time and make it really pretty. Painting is one of my favorite activities because it just helps me relax and not think about anything else going on." ~ HCRT client
“I am finally feeling good again. Life is feeling more normal. You know what got me through my hard days though? Sessions with you. So thank you for always showing up. I enjoy the Cider Mill and being able to be outside and in the vicinity of people again.” ~ Warren
Nick and Dean got together for some trout fishing at the Spring Valley Trout Farm! For the first time during a session, Dean said “This really is a good time”. They were able to get recipe resources from the Trout Farm and made dinner from their catch.
Before RT, Eva felt supported by her family and nobody else. Eva said “My RT has been amazing! I have met new friends, found purpose, gained confidence, and I can do stuff I couldn’t do before or wouldn’t have thought of doing.” One of Eva’s projects in RT was a community mission project. She made women’s hygiene bags for a local organization that provides housing and support for those in need. Eva let us know that this project inspired her to give back to her community and made her feel good.
“Wow what can I say about the 2 most amazing recreational therapist’s, Ashley and Stephanie. They have been in our lives to assist my daughter Courtnee with her brain injury. I honestly can’t even begin to tell you the amazing things they have done for her and our family. They are the most genuine, caring and loving people who go above and beyond for their clients. We feel truly blessed to have HCRT employ amazing recreational therapists. GREAT JOB. We will always and forever LOVE THEM BOTH!
— Courtnee’s Mom
“Before I started RT I used to sleep constantly, never talk with friends on the phone anymore and never go out. After I worked with my RT I started going to weddings with friends again, going out to eat, calling just to chat and even shopping again. I started using the pool again too. Now I’m feeling more and more like a person and less like a brain injured person. ”
“Thank you for working with me, you have really helped me more than you know. You haven’t just helped me with my physical pain, but also getting past my depression. ”
“I get out more often and I feel good about myself when I get out. Now I go with the flow. I can bowl and fish and go to basketball games and just get out period. I have a lot more confidence now. I’m not alone with this. A lot of people don’t know what a RT does and don’t understand disabled people. My RT does.”