SUCCESS STORIES Freddie's On the Job |  An Artistic Dream  |  Rick's Story   "Rick's Story" Rick is a U.S. Veteran. He currently receives counseling and permanent housing assistance through Cornerstone Services in Joliet. Once homeless, he now has a stable home and friends he can turn to for support. I am diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and have had substance abuse issues in the past. Since coming to Cornerstone I’m now able to enjoy my existence, rather than trudge through it. I’m enjoying my family, my sons--and I have a dog. I get out and do things. Go to dances and lots of meetings. And I’ve made a host of friends, which is pretty new for me. I was always quite a loner. I had really no choice but to be a loner because of my illness. It alienated me from people. I really couldn’t function in social settings. Today I’m able to have friends and go out and socialize, which is a big change. I was in The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. They asked me what I was going to do once I was discharged and I had no idea. They suggested I apply to Cornerstone in Joliet and they did the paperwork for me. I was accepted into the program August 1, 2006. Since then I’ve worked through a lot of issues and developed coping skills. With my medications stabilized, I can live a pretty normal life now. I have a lot of support besides the counseling and psychiatrist. I have a veteran’s group I attend and a case worker that is extremely helpful. One of the definite aspects of having the veterans’ group is because of the similarities and being able to understand each other and help each other. I’ve always had a place in my heart for other veterans. It’s one hand helping the other. For more information, call 815.741.7600.

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