January 2023
Cassandra
Bozard
,
RN
Behavioral Health
Sentara Leigh Hospital
Norfolk
,
VA
United States
Cassie came in and immediately we hit it off. She sat with me and really, truly got to know me. I could see and feel that she actually cared and was fully, wholeheartedly committed to listening to me.
I came into this hospital after an overdose/suicide attempt. The thing is I don’t remember, and this is completely out of my character. All I know is that for far too long I’ve been living on the streets, trying to survive in the constant danger and overall bad environments that homeless living entails. Actively and desperately, and most importantly to NO AVAIL, seeking assistance with shelter safety, and housing, things had become hopeless seeming. A light at the end of the tunnel seemed impossible to find.
So now, I was in the hospital trying to state my case that I have the will to live. I just need help with resources to get off the streets before the streets themselves are the death of me. I felt like nobody could hear me, and I was all alone. Then I met Cassie. Cassie came in and immediately we hit it off. She sat with me and really, truly got to know me. I could see and feel that she actually cared and was fully, wholeheartedly committed to listening to me. Listening to understand who I truly was, as opposed to just hearing me to “go through the motions”. She took time and energy to handle my situation personally- personalized to my specific needs, to give me a shot at life again. Because not only could she read into me that I truly wanted it, but also because I feel that she believes that EVERYONE deserves a chance. I was struggling to acquire the resources I needed.
Because of her passion and dedication, I am -after 2 years of unsuccessfully seeing it- on my way to a transitional shelter. I will now be able to receive permanent housing as well as outpatient therapy. If it were not for her, I would still be feeling hopeless. Cassie saw ME for ME, assessed me correctly, and provided the necessary solution when nobody else would give me a chance to add to it. Her vibrant, funny, sweet, and easy personality made the experience so much less stressful and easier to face. She brought peace to the chaos. Ultimately, she was like a guardian angel, and in a real sense, this woman saved me. I will forever be grateful.
So now, I was in the hospital trying to state my case that I have the will to live. I just need help with resources to get off the streets before the streets themselves are the death of me. I felt like nobody could hear me, and I was all alone. Then I met Cassie. Cassie came in and immediately we hit it off. She sat with me and really, truly got to know me. I could see and feel that she actually cared and was fully, wholeheartedly committed to listening to me. Listening to understand who I truly was, as opposed to just hearing me to “go through the motions”. She took time and energy to handle my situation personally- personalized to my specific needs, to give me a shot at life again. Because not only could she read into me that I truly wanted it, but also because I feel that she believes that EVERYONE deserves a chance. I was struggling to acquire the resources I needed.
Because of her passion and dedication, I am -after 2 years of unsuccessfully seeing it- on my way to a transitional shelter. I will now be able to receive permanent housing as well as outpatient therapy. If it were not for her, I would still be feeling hopeless. Cassie saw ME for ME, assessed me correctly, and provided the necessary solution when nobody else would give me a chance to add to it. Her vibrant, funny, sweet, and easy personality made the experience so much less stressful and easier to face. She brought peace to the chaos. Ultimately, she was like a guardian angel, and in a real sense, this woman saved me. I will forever be grateful.