Success Stories

Aubrey Victoria Touchman: Sculpting the Road to Recovery
For her entire life, until just a few years ago, Aubrey Victoria Touchman felt as though she was trapped in a nightmare. A survivor of physical and sexual abuse from an early age, she was constantly struggling with her mental health. It was impossible for Aubrey to maintain employment, find healthy relationships or look into her past. She was always moving from one bad situation to another and it was clear that she was out of control.

Marla Taylor - The Fifth Time was HER Time
It took her five tries but Marla Taylor finally ‘got it right.’ In 1995, Marla Taylor got out of prison for the fifth and final time. Her 20-year addiction to heroin was the underlying cause for her many trips to prison.

Tylenda Gray - Finally a Chance to Shine
Ever experienced a splitting headache? No big deal. Tylenda Gray had crippling headaches. Traveling all over the country in search of a diagnosis, Tylenda’s horrific migraines sometimes even impaired her ability to get out of bed. Starting at the age of 19, she found her physical disability was beginning to control her life: it was prohibiting her from going to college, living on her own, and even maintaining a solid social life.

Michaels Works to Get His Life Back on Track
In only a short period of time, Mark Michaels' life seemed to be unraveling piece by piece. In the late 90s, he not only went through a divorce and lost his job, but also was diagnosed with a condition known as Fibromyalgia.

Mother, Children Find Help & Hope in ADAMH System of Care
Nancy deBrier can remember clearly when she first experienced hallucinations. After completing an undergraduate degree in sociology, she began attending graduate seminary school in Chicago.

Feick Turns Mental Health into Physical Therapy
After being officially diagnosed with severe clinical depression at age 31, Katie Feick finally realized what had been bothering her all her life.

Housley's Survey Success
Ever since he was a child, Tim Housley remembers being hyperactive for weeks on end, coupled with days of extreme sadness and despair that kept him bedridden.

Donald Palmer: "Success Isn't Easy, But Worth It."
For many people diagnosed with an addiction or mental illness, recovery is a choice; however, the road to recovery can be difficult. Donald Palmer is a true success -- he chose the recovery path, knowing the challenge it would impose upon him, and triumphed despite the odds.

A Pathway to Living
Bernard Rice, of Reynoldsburg, works at Victory Fitness Center. He takes weekend trips. He lives in his own apartment. Bernard also has schizophrenia.

Recovery Works for Mental Health Advocate Garth House
Garth House was first diagnosed with severe depression in 1977. After several years and numerous hospitalizations, he was dually diagnosed with both an addiction problem and bipolar disorder. During his trek towards recovery, Garth was a patient in almost every psychiatric hospital in Ohio.

Ringler Partners with ADAMH System
Four years ago, Ellen Ringler was hungry, homeless and in need of treatment for her diagnosed depression. Today, Ellen is working full-time, has a place of her own and acts as an advocate for the mental health community at the ADAMH-funded organization, Partners in Active Living.