The Crisis Intake Team (CIT) is ready for your call.
Lianne Boyd graduated at the top of her grade twelve class from
Laurier Secondary School. Lianne is well spoken and enthusiastic.
She's one of 2007's E.C. McTavish Award winners sponsored by the
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.
Lianne's story reads like a classic of the average young adult.
But there's nothing average about her.
Judy Johnson, Lianne's guidance counselor at Laurier says, "In
grade nine Lianne came to us with serious emotional issues that
prevented her from completing her year. She had trouble in grade
ten and then missed a lot of credits in grade 11. But she never
gave up. She went to summer school, made up the credits and now
she's on the honor roll! She's determined, personable, outgoing,
and she has a good sense of justice." Lianne was chosen by teachers
at Laurier to receive the E.C. McTavish Award because she
"exemplifies a student who has done her best while overcoming
some significant difficulties."
Many can't even begin to imagine the hardships she confronted at
such a young age. Growing up, Lianne's home life was chaotic and
characterized by violence, physical and sexual abuse. There is a
history of mental health challenges within the family and by the
time she was in grade seven, Lianne had lost all self-esteem.
"I always thought I was useless," says Lianne. Her circumstances
were dictating her future. She spent time in Children's Hospital
because she started cutting herself in a desperate attempt to
relieve her own stress.
She was in and out of London Psychiatric Hospital (LPH) and was
suspected to suffer Bi-Polar Disorder. To stabilize her moods she
was given medication. More than once she has tried to overdose with
pills. But after her last suicide attempt she had a revelation.
While recovering in hospital, Lianne shared a room with a
thirteen-year-old girl battling cancer. "That gave me a reality
check. Here she was with no choice at all about her life, and I had
put myself in the hospital. I decided right then something had to
change."
Lianne credits her teachers at LPH as well as counsellors at
Vanier with helping put her life back on track. At LPH she received
one on one teaching. It allowed her to gain confidence and realize
she was neither stupid nor useless.
She took advantage of counselling at Vanier for a year. Talking
to others gave her the courage and tools she needed to confront the
challenges in her life and move forward with optimism and hope.
The most significant person in Liannes' life has been Lianne
herself. She is exceptional in her capacity for self-awareness and
self-direction. It is clear she will pursue her ambitions and
succeed. With determination like she has shown, anything is
possible.
Did you know that in Canada, 75,000 children are being raised in
what are called "kinship" families - that is, not by their
biological parents, but by aunts, c
4th Joint Annual General Meeting
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May 6-10, 2013 CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
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KRISTA SEPP MEMORIAL AWARD
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