Description
The farm—lost. The marriage—over. Now a single mother, the author gets a job with Social Services, which leads to a long career as an intensive case manager in the Department of Mental Health. The author weaves her own story of love and faith into stories of her community and her clients, sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming and romantic.
This sensitive, intimate look at cases of OCD, bipolar disorder, psychopathy, ADHD, and most dramatically, dissociative identity disorder, illustrates the surprising ability of some of the most deeply afflicted to turn their lives around with the support of the community and dedicated workers in the field of mental health. This spiritual journey of human souls moving toward the light will open your heart and inspire you with hope.
About the Author
Linda Slocum grew up in the rolling country of west central New York, where her childhood companions were the horses on her parents’ farm. After retiring from her career as an intensive case manager in the Department of Mental Health, she turned to making and vending jewelry with her husband and to traveling in their RV in search of adventure. The Slocums divide their time between New York State and southern Arizona.
Susan Noble –
Written with compassion and humor, Moving towards the Light offers a fascinating inside tour of social services and mental health care in small-town America. Author Linda Slocum’s empathy for her former clients renders a vivid, visceral look into their struggles, successes, unimaginable agonies, and hard-won victories. The author’s stunning faith shines through her stories in what is, ultimately, an inspiring tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.
Kris, Cobourg –
This book offers up insight into the world of people who walk on the other side of the road. For those who have been untouched by their struggles, it will, hopefully, activate empathy within the reader and a clearer understanding of the challenges of those who live with mental illness every day. For Professional health workers and frontline caregivers, it offers confirmation of how creative minds, resourcefulness, and cohesive thought can go a great distance towards successful outcomes for their clients.
The photographic contributions to this book are inspiring; uncomplicated views of simple things that invite the viewer to think and feel. Each picture could be a story.
sandy wonderley –
Great book. Linda tells true stories about mental health patients that she helped with their lives going forward.