Stephanie's Near-Death Experience

“One week,” Julia wrote in her journal, “it’s been one week since I’ve seen another human being.” Prior to the wars and conflicts that ripped her life to shreds, Julia had kept her journal as a log of her thoughts. Now the journal was the only thing keeping her sane. Julia tried to cling to anything that could remind her of the normalcy she used to know, but the journal was the only thing that truly still felt safe.

When I heard Jessica crying and saw the dog looking into my face I told him “Georgie go see why Jessica is crying”. Next thing I knew he went off running and she was quiet so I went to check on her and there they were in the bed sleeping, he comfort her. Even though a snow storm was coming, she decided to go on her winter camping trip anyway. It was like something was calling her out there. But in the event of her wilderness trip she was starting to feel better. There was a positivity her in her life that was growing and the depression had started to fade by the activities she is doing. Her experience of sleeping in below freezing caves, digging out of a snow barricades with the help of Jackson and Hailey. She was doing things her and her dogs would never have dreamed of. She admits that her very cold and freezing adventure has helped her appreciate the beauty of life and her winter wilderness experience. She was starting to feel like she belong and was appreciating the value of her life and her surroundings. “A Blizzard under blue sky” gave her a new lease on life and a spark of rejuvenation.

The day was dark. I could feel a storm approaching. The gentle sunlight glistening through the clouds, now covered by a heavy mist. Drop. Drop. Drop. The coldness of the water tinged my face. And the earth shook, as a large boom erupted from the sky followed by a light crackle. By now, I was soaked, like that night. I continued walking through the deserted streets when a large flash erupted from the sky. Oh, great lightning, today was getting better and better. A woman and her young child was running towards their car to seek shelter. The walk was a long and dreadful one, I found myself looking at the place I left 15 years ago. The house was still dark and foreboding as ever, the shutters hanging off its hinges and the roof in a state of disrepair.

She was alone, she was scared, she had no idea that her normal life would be taken away for the next eighteen years… and hope is the sole reason that she survived it. For kidnap victim, Jaycee Dugard, the word “hope” brings back a flood of emotions and memories. In her chilling memoir, “A Stolen Life”, she describes a very personal experience in which she encountered at age eleven, where she soon learned just how important hope was. Dugard never saw it coming when a man named Phillip Garrido stole her from that bus stop on just another normal morning… or so she thought. Soon after, he took her away and held her hostage in his backyard for almost two decades. Interestingly enough, she has miraculously turned this cruel situation into a very inspiring story. Therefore, she proves to us that even if you’re living out your worst nightmare, you still have something to live for. For this reason, Dugard puts together a descriptive setting, her absurd relationship with her abductor, and personal symbols to illustrate how just a little hope can be the essence of surviving any situation life throws at you.

Stephanie was referred to FACT for CMO services by Trinitas Hospital – CCIS unit. Stephanie was admitted to CCIS on 4/18/17 for running away from her mother’s home and making threats to hurt self if she were to return to reside with her mother. While in the hospital, Stephanie has also been refusing to visit with mother. At the time of the FCP meeting, Stephanie (Youth) resides with her Natalia Ramos (Mother), Elsa Sanchez (Maternal grandmother) and Johnathan Sanchez (Uncle) who disabled. Mother and stepfather recently divorced. Her father Hamilton Ramirez (biological Father) lives in Elizabeth with his girlfriend and younger daughter. Each biological parent has children with other people. Parents do not get along at all. Youth wants to live with father.

It was a cloudy day, a mild 78 degrees and Lezley McSpadden was taking a drag of her cigarette outside of the local grocery store where she was employed. She was midway through her shift when a friend of hers called and said that someone had been shot by Canfield Green Apartments. Maybe it’s only a mother’s instinct to recoil in fear, but in that moment Lezley could think only of her son Michael. Michael had recently graduated three months before and she wasn’t sure of his

The rain got harder as Tina walked alone in tears. She missed her daughter Iris. Tina thought about all the good times they had together. She wondered why Iris had done that to herself. Iris was a skinny young girl who killed herself. Iris wa bullied at school for how far she was, so Iris decided to stop eating. Tina was walking in the rain. It had been a year since Iris was gone. She thought back to that day. Tina woke up and made herself some coffee. She nibbled on a muffin that she bought from the store yesterday. She took Iris to school and then went to work. Tina went throughout her day as usual, but what she didn’t know was that soon her daughter would take her own life. Iris got home and went up into her bedroom. Tina wouldn’t get home

One night, thoroughly past her bedtime, Georgiana crept stealthily downstairs to sneak a bite of pie, even though her mother would never approve. She immediately realized a heavy drape of desolation. The only noise was her heart beating to the rapid rhythm of the twitching fan. Georgiana thought that no one would be awake at one in the morning. She slipped through the doorway into the kitchen. For an instant, her heart stopped. A dreadful sight stood in her way. An innocent and isolated individual lay with his hand grasping for life, but it was already over. Taking a step back, she

This was the first time Kimberly had ever been in jail. The process was not only completely foreign, but also scary. She was going to be booked and put in a cell with other women to await a bail hearing. Some of whom might be in jail for what she’s accused of doing. During the transfer to the police station she pleaded with the officers in the front seat. She tried to explain, but all they commanded her to do was be quiet and to tell it to the judge. Kimberly knew she was doomed. People were desperate. They wanted a face to put to the serial killer and they had picked hers. She was guilty in their eyes and nothing was going to change it. When she came to that realization, she slumped in her seat. She answered all the questions they asked when

Then she made sure the barrel was empty, and then she saw something in the corner of her eye. There had been a piece of paper, she had overlooked, when she looked at it she was surprised to see it was a ransom note. The handwriting of the ransom note looked vaguely familiar. She bagged it and tagged it, after which she put it in a box along with the, now bagged and tagged, 9 millimeter gun. She heard screams that night but they were only her imagination, at least, they stopped after a minute or two.

As she rubbed her eyes in exhaustion she remembered the adventures of the day before. When she got home she passed out from the excitement and strain on her heart. She reached down to check her leg and sighed with relief to find a replacement was already attached. She looked over at her nightstand and noticed her spare glass waiting for her to put them on. As she got out of bed all she could think about was how rude she was to Sam. She walked into the kitchen to see her mother preparing breakfast. She looked around and did not see Sam. She didn’t know why she expected to see her but she was upset that he was not here. Her mom turned a saw her disappointment and said “He seem in quite a rush to leave he left his job to help you.” She was startled by her answer and rushed out the door ignoring the cries from her mother. She hurried Sam’s farm almost throwing up because of the strain on her heart. When she reached the farm she found an old man working the fields. She rushed over and asked, “Where is Sam?” The old man replied, “I fired him because...” She didn’t let him finish She rushed to the road the taste of blood in her mouth from running. She saw a man walking on the road looking forlorn. She called out, “Sam!” The man stopped and turned it was Sam he answered her, “Joy?” She ran into his arms and started to cry. Sam confused hugged her back. She thought to herself about how a horrible incident led to her

She glances down the aphotic alley where a few of her coworkers exit their workplace. Taking a deep breath, a musty scent occupies her nostrils. She looks to her left at the damaged dark green dumpster; the ebony lip is wide open and garbage is protruding from it. She tilts her head backwards and views the starry ski congested with silver clouds. Rain drops continuously collide with eyes; in an instant, they are flooded with rain and her vision is distorted. She looks back down and creeps a few feet diagonally towards the dumpster. The scattered tree branches snap underneath her size seven feet and elicit a worried expression upon her face. She shifts the Smith & Wesson nine millimeter handgun from her sweaty right hand to her non dominant

I remember the day just like it was yesterday, the pale color and coldness of her skin. The sky was clear blue, soft, with a touch of red, and the trees seemed stiff in their bright green shade. The wind was blowing with its humid dry air. And All I could do was stand silently in disbelief, caught up in my own thoughts and calm as I ever been. Wondering what I could have done differently to change the course of time, life had taken us upon. Since that very day a chunk of my heart was ripped away, and broken into pieces… “Oh how I miss her so much.”

Lavinia froze; Her mind drowning in a sea of terror. Her hand, Shaking and trembling, reaches down to the entry table. Pulling out the drawer, she slowly raises out a loaded revolver. Carefully lavinia moves up the stairs, creeping like a thief in the night. She reaches her bedroom door and cautiously turns the handle. The door opens and lavinia slides through the doorway. Putting her back towards the wall, she faces the door with both hands on the trigger. The air becomes stiff and bitter as the walls start to close in. Heavy footsteps approach the door and a voice calls outs “Lavinia”? The gun

Thursdays have become my favourite day of the week. Every second Thursday is payday, so it's little wonder I received a phone call from Patsy this morning, asking if I'd like to accompany her to the movies. Better still, we get to attend the luxurious cinema, the one with a wide variety of movies instead of the dollar theatre with only two. After making arrangements to meet at the cinema at twelve, I check the weather before selecting the appropriate attire, another brisk day with the possibility of snow. Once I adorn myself with jeans and my favourite midnight-blue hoodie, I delve into the depths of my wardrobe in search of my winter coat. As I bringing out of solitary confinement, I bring it to my nose and inhale deeply. The scent of washing powder remains on the coat instead of the musky smell that saturated it two weeks ago. After tying my hair back, I check my appearance in my full-length mirror. Just as I expected, I resemble a toasted marshmallow. No wonder I never wear this coat to work. The intercom buzzes, indicating the arrival of the taxi. I abandon the mirror and gather my bag and winter accessories, and adorn them as I skip down the stairs to brave the winter chill.