Exploring Creativity: Otis Redfern's Story
By Carol Bailey Floyd
A few years ago, Otis Redfern experienced some devastating events in his life in a short period of time. In just under a year, he lost his home, his job, his marriage, and his will to live. After a serious, and almost successful, suicide attempt, his family rallied around him to help him begin again.
One day Otis wandered into a laughing club and met a WRAP facilitator. Soon he had developed his own WRAP and started attending a local support group. He was beginning to be exposed to many types of coping skills and a new circle of friends. Exploring his creativity also became a priority for him, using THE ARTISTS’ WAY by Julia Cameron as a guide, Otis found that creativity and fun were very useful tools for rebuilding his life.
In Otis’ words, “WRAP has been a lifesaver. It’s allowed me to be proactive in my wellness and gain a better understanding in how to stay well. I am now managing my own recovery, which is very empowering. WRAP is adaptable to all aspects of my life. My WRAP toolbox is full of things that I can use to stay balanced, positive and healthy.
My WRAP has changed over the years. I’ve added items to the toolbox and removed a few. Some triggers have been dealt with and are no longer triggers to me. I use WRAP every day. It has changed my life. It has enabled me to build a circle of friends and supporters.
Presently, I am working in my chosen field and enjoying every minute. I’ve found a new church that is loving, accepting, supportive, and encourages me to grow spiritually. I’ve met the love of my life and we’ve just celebrated our first anniversary of marriage. I’ve also had two recent back surgeries and am going through physical therapy. Both my wife and I were unemployed for several months. Through it all, WRAP has enabled me to not only cope with life’s changes, but to thrive in the midst of them.”
Otis continues to be an inspiration and role model to me and to many people as they experience life’s challenges. There are many WRAP champions out there. I salute Otis, a true WRAP champion, and invite you to send in your stories of other WRAP champions to me at carol@mentalhealthrecovery.com for possible inclusion in future issues of our newsletters or on our website.
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From the Book Store:
Every recovery holds the potential for relapse. And for many who have fought their way back to health from a physical disorder or emotional trauma, the return of old feelings and behaviors can be even more devastating than the original crisis.
This workbook provides a carefully structured system that anyone can use to monitor feelings and behaviors and respond to them in a way that reduces or eliminates the possibility of relapse and increases the likelihood that you will feel well most of the time. You will identify those things you need to do every day to maintain an optimum level of wellness, how to recognize the daily events that can cause you to feel badly, the early warning signs that you need to take action, the signs that the situation is worsening, and how to make personal action plans that can reverse the situation. It will also guide you through the process of developing a personal crisis plan for others to use if they need to take responsibility for your care.