David’s mind used to be troubled.
“When I was troubled, I was hearing voices.” David shares. “When I hear a voice, it echoes in me. I’m very shocked.”
David has schizophrenia, which is a condition where people see and hear things that other people don’t see or hear.
However, he is able to control his illness with medication, being social in the community and working with others at Volunteers of America North Louisiana’s day program, Vision of Hope.
David explains his work, “I went through training, peer support training. It clicked in me. Most of them [at Vision of Hope] are all in the same boat and we can understand one another”
David adds, “They are a part of me and I’m a part of them.”
Vision of Hope helps people with chronic mental illness, like David, learn ways of coping with their illness, guiding individuals toward achieving their goals and allowing them a safe place to have fun and be in healthy relationships with others.
David shares, “I used to wonder… why I am here? But when I started working, I realized that I was put on earth for this purpose: Love.”
“That’s what they need the most. Love. ”