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.

“I just looked myself in the eye one day and realized that I couldn’t go on the way things were,” she said of her decision to seek help. “It just happened to be a day that I knew I would not survive if I didn’t get help and in that moment, I wasn’t okay with that.”

It was then that Aubrey took the first steps towards creating a healthy life for herself. After nearly a year of searching, she found a treatment plan that worked for her. Aubrey got in contact with Linda Welch at Dublin Counseling Center and she began participating in Mount Carmel West’s Psychiatric Day Treatment Program.

A born artist, Aubrey also found an amazing outlet in her creations. She developed a passion for gardening and sculpting, both of which she says helped keep her grounded during the beginning years of her recovery. After three years of consistent work in treatment, Aubrey was in a debilitating car accident in 2004. She suffered a back injury that forced her to redevelop her grounding skills in way that was not as physically demanding, but yet still had the same fulfillment. Since honing her talents, Aubrey has displayed her sculptures in shows throughout the Columbus area. Starting September 12 through October 26, 2007, her works will be on display downtown at the Fresh A.I.R. Gallery. Through the sale of her pieces, Aubrey plans to donate money to several organizations including The Peers Enriching Each others Recovery (P.E.E.R.) Center, where she currently serves as a Peer Support Specialist; COVA; Pathway; Prevent Child Abuse Ohio and the YWCA, among others.

Aubrey’s artistic vision has also had an impact on the ADAMH Board. Early this year, she became a member of the ADAMH Visual Performance Management Committee. She is the creator and coordinator of the Recovery Art Program, which provides consumers with the opportunity to express themselves and restore their health with the help of art.
Aubrey is grateful for the chance to help others.

“The opportunities ADAMH has given me are incredible,” she said of the program. “I just want to pay it forward.”

Now 28 years old, Aubrey strives to stay humble to the fact that her healing process, both physically and mentally, will be her life’s work. Aubrey continues to struggle with daily pain from the injury to her spine, but despite all obstacles, refuses to stop growing and healing.

“I used to dream about the person I am now,” she said. “I am becoming the person I have always wanted to be and I dare to dream and reach even further than this.”