Loreen’s Story

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Loreen’s time in Shasta County starts in 1985, and when asked about that experience, she says it’s been “One heck of a rollercoaster. Lots of ups and downs, but a learning experience.” She pauses in that moment, then continues, “You don’t know what you’re capable of until you go through it.” But what does someone in this position have to go through to find their capability?

                Loreen’s medical issues came in the form of needing knee replacements, and the aches not only put Loreen through uncomfortable pain but also limited her mobility to a degree she hadn’t experienced before. Such a situation would put strain on any person’s livelihood, and Loreen’s experience was no different. As work became more difficult and her mental health harder to maintain, Loreen was unable to keep her job, which complicated the relationship with her spouse, who ended up leaving in 2022. Loreen was also estranged from her children and other family, and while unable to work, and without any secondary household income, Loreen could no longer afford her rent and had to move out shortly after. This began a series of months where Loreen couch-surfed with any friends she could call on but came to find her “friends” abandoned her, eventually leaving Loreen completely homeless.

                Two months into 2024, with her first knee surgery imminent and without a place to safely heal, Loreen was at an impasse. That’s when she was connected to the H.O.P.E. Van and the H.O.P.E. Medical Respite program, which accepted her and got her into the Hartman House just 2 days before her first surgery. However, Loreen didn’t expect much from the program, and found herself “scared, nervous, defensive, angry, and just not all there. I was in survival mode.” With only a short time to adjust before going into her surgery, Loreen didn’t exactly have time to settle into the program, and unfortunately, she was kept at the hospital. When she did get out of the hospital, she was taken to Redding Post Acute for further care until she could perform her daily living activities on her own. After about a month of healing, Loreen returned to the Hartman House, and for roughly two months, she experienced the Medical Respite program in full.

Over the next two months, Loreen put time, focus, and effort into her plans. She was able to buy a vehicle after saving money while in the Medical Respite program and was able fix some minor issues the car had, as well as get the car registered. She explains, “While it has its problems, it was amazing to be able to buy something for myself again!” She wore the success with a smile. Loreen’s time in Respite was coming to an end. However, she was able to get into another program, Short-Term Post Hospitalization through Pathways to Housing. Loreen was able to stay in both programs for a total time of 11 months. Staff at the Hartman House had the pleasure of still seeing Loreen when she would stop by to pick up mail and would share in the news when she got approved for her own housing through HUD. She states that the process was tedious, but the H.O.P.E. Medical Respite Program, Pathways to Housing & her housing worker helped her so much. “It was amazing to have that help!”

Six months after discharging from the program, her vehicle and living situation secured, and her knees healed, Lorren describes herself as “strong-willed, resilient, determined, kind, caring, with a curiosity and willingness to learn.” She finds it easier to develop relationships and was able to reconnect with her estranged children. She says she is “happy, calm, and more fulfilled. It’s nice to have faith in my heart again,” and that she “feels like a butterfly that spread her wings!” She found a circle she can lean on, and no longer struggles to find resources, saying “I have access to it all, and the freedom to do things on my time and leisure. That gives me the security to get out of survival mode and allows me to feel like things are good, not just okay.” When asked what she would tell other people about the Medical Respite program, Loreen stated that “You get to meet interesting and fun people” but that you “have to learn how to accept help,” which she states was a challenge for her. Despite that challenge, Loreen says that it helped her learn that it’s okay to depend on others and to ask for help, especially early on, but also that you can ask for help even if you’re in a better place.

Loreen is still connected with the therapist she started seeing during her time in Medical Respite, is in contact with former case manager and housing worker and has been connected to her new case manager. She thanks RN John and Program Manager Jessica at the Hartman House for being such supportive rocks in her time of need.  She’s thankful toward the H.O.P.E. Medical Respite program for “the support, understanding, laughter, and for believing in me.” Looking forward, Loreen plans on exercising to be more athletic, and to practice cooking techniques while learning to meal prep. She says her advice for anyone coming into the Medical Respite program is to “go with the flow & trust the process.” Loreen did, and after one year in the H.O.P.E. Medical Respite and Short-Term Post Hospitalization Programs, she finds herself more healthy and secure than when she first arrived at the Hartman House. Now, she always has a smile on her face and is loving life. And while Loreen didn’t struggle with addiction, her hardships were nevertheless a great challenge to face, and the Hartman House staff are so thankful and privileged to have seen her grow through this and flourish into the person she is now.