Allyson is a woman in her 50s that has been diagnosed since adolescence with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Allyson has over 10 different alters ranging from the youngest age of 4 years old through her current age. Each alter has different skills, memories and needs. All of her alters are kind and faith based. Allyson is highly intelligent and has many talents, but due to her mental health disability, Allyson is unable to work, drive or do things that most have the ability to do. Most days Allyson is home alone with nothing to do and feeling anxiety and depression since she cannot drive anywhere or go places alone. Think of COVID and how the world felt trapped inside their homes. Now imagine being stuck inside alone, with a mental health disorder.

 

I met Allyson when I was working at Mercy Hospital in the out-patient program. She was there attending the program that was 3-5 days a week and provided mental health services, such as; individual therapy, group therapy, art therapy and medication management. The program also provided patients transportation.

​

Allyson sadly was discharged from that program due to the complexity of her case. I observed Allyson and the way she was able to socialize with others, benefit from the group therapy that had different topics every day on coping skills that she could apply when feeling anxious or triggered and the art therapy was extremely beneficial for her healing process because Allyson is creative and it allowed her to process her emotions that at times, she was unable to verbalize.

​

I was angered by the programs lack of empathy and ability to provide Allyson services and tried to advocate on her behalf, pleading with the program director to allow Allyson back into the program and stated I would make sure to provide specialized attention to her because she developed a connection with me and felt safe, but they would not agree.

​

I reached out to Allyson's family and asked it they would mind if I came to visit Allyson at her home and learn more about her to see if there was anything I could do to help or provide a referral for a different program.

 

After much time spent with Allyson and her family and countless hours I spent on the phone with Social Security Administration, I was told that Allyson despite having a significant disability due to her mental health, she does not qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income.)

 

SSI benefits would provide Allyson with Medicaid to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs. She would also be eligible for food assistance.

Allyson currently has health insurance, but it only covers specific therapeutic treatments and even with the insurance benefits, she cannot afford co-pays and she also has no means of transportation and cannot afford it.

 

Services Allyson would be provided with from donors' support- Allyson would be able to afford therapeutic treatment that is not covered she would be able to pay for the copays. I would love for Allyson to have a companion that would spend time with Allyson. Drive her to doctors' appointments. Do art therapy with her and take her out in nature to a garden. I would love to give Allyson the ability to lead a happy life that doesn't keep her isolated at home, alone and triggered.

​

Allyson deserves to live a life filled with happiness and purpose.