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.

After years of stagnancy, Tylenda was thrust into a life of depression. While her friends went on to fulfill their dreams and discover the world, she was forced to put her aspirations on the backburner, placing her disability at the forefront.

“I was seeing others in my life progress, while I was at a standstill,” said Tylenda.

After more than five years of denial, Tylenda, now 29, finally decided that it was time for her to face her issues with depression.

“Something had to change,” she said.

For her, that change came in late 2006, when she decided to seek treatment for her depression at Family Focus. Although it was important for her to have the support of her family and friends, she felt it was necessary for her to seek the change on her own which led her to choose this program.

Through her experience at Family Focus, she was referred to a work-readiness program at COVA, an ADAMH-funded agency. As part of the program, she worked as a consumer surveyor at ADAMH in 2007.

“ADAMH was the only place I felt truly comfortable discussing my depression,” said Tylenda. “When there were bad days, it was okay to admit it, masks were gone. When I needed to talk I could, but there was never any pressure.”

After a few months of medication to stabilize her depression, Tylenda worked with her doctor and counselor and continued her path toward recovery with regular counseling sessions, doctor visits and therapy at Family Focus, all of which fit perfectly into Tylenda’s plan for recovery.

With the help of Family Focus and COVA, Tylenda feels more confident in her ability to make decisions. She has worked up the courage to deal with her migraines more effectively and has been able to return to the workforce after nearly six years of unemployment.

Today, Tylenda is working part-time as a lifeguard at the YMCA and is going to school part-time at Columbus State Community College, studying Sports and Education Science. She hopes to get certified as a Special Education Exercise Science teacher. She is compelled to provide opportunities for those people who have special education needs, and who are typically left out of the fitness trend.

Tylenda even credits her dog, named Remington, who stayed by her side through treatment, for helping her achieve recovery. She jokes stating, “He was very non-judgmental throughout the process.”

Oh, and did I mention that she takes a belly-dancing class?

While Tylenda still goes to therapy once a month, she is nearing the end and has obviously started to live her life again. In this case, Tylenda was her own source of aspirin; she just did not see it at first.