November 15 to 16, 2011
As soon as I arrived home that evening, I searched online for Tranquility Psychiatric Center and read their entire website; along with the reviews I found. It definitely sounded like a place that would be perfect for Gabriela.
I waited impatiently for 9AM the next day to call Tranquility. When I called I was put through to the director’s voicemail, where I left a short message regarding my interest in their program. By the end of the day I had received a call back from the director, Harry Sline, and we discussed Gabriela’s current diagnosis and needs. Then Harry explained their program and the cost and the fact that, sadly, there were no openings for the next four months.
Generally this would have ended the call, but Harry could tell that I was worried, tired, and frustrated with the lack of good quality, accessible, and affordable mental health facilities. He offered, “Bobbie, don’t worry, I will help you find a place for your daughter. You call these places …” and he listed off three facilities and the contact names for each. “Tell them that I sent you. If none of those work for you call me back and I will give you three more.”
Incredibly, I hung up on him! I was crying so hard I couldn’t even manage a thank you to end the conversation. There were so few people in this process that had offered help that it left me speechless when it finally happened.
I had a few other facilities which, along with Tranquility, made my short list of top choices. I printed out information on each, then called them individually and collected cost, insurance, entrance requirements and so on. I included in the group a partial hospitalization program that was in our town.
I wrote up a brief outline of the information I had gathered on each facility and made two copies, one for Gabriela, the other for Abbey and Dr. Duncan. Gabriela wanted to be fully in charge of the selection process for the facility she would be heading to and I wholeheartedly agreed.
During the hours and hours I spent on the Internet each day looking for facilities or help for Gabriela I had stumbled across a quote. Gabriela loves quotes and this was one she needed to have. I printed it out and tucked it into a writing journal that I planned to take to her the next evening.
At dinner I gave Gabriela the journal and told her, “I put a quote in it for you.”
She opened the book and read it:
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” — Elizabeth Kuber-Ross
She folded up the quote, placed it back inside the journal, then leaned over and gave me a huge hug, saying, “I love the quote! Thank you!”