Reasons to be thankful

Published 9:00 pm Monday, November 24, 2003

Kathleen Brekstad is thankful for basic things: clear drains, working electrical plugs and heat.

To remind herself, Brekstad wrote something she is grateful for on fabric leaves and hung them on the wall — running water, clean air and food.

Brekstad, 56, lives at Madison House in Everett, a supervised boarding home with 48 beds and staff around the clock. Madison House is run by Bridgeways, a nonprofit agency serving adults in Snohomish County who have chronic mental illnesses.

"I’m thankful that I’ve lived here for 12 years," Brekstad said. "I feel it’s a safe place to live."

Bridgeways offers a range of support services including psychiatric, housing and employment assistance to people suffering from various personality disorders and schizophrenia. Madison House is just one of its services.

When clients arrive at Madison House, mental health professional Roy Sykes interviews them and evaluates their needs.

Most of the people Sykes sees range in age from 20 to 61. They are typically suffering from borderline personality disorders and schizophrenia.

Sykes believes that in the past 20 years society has made progress understanding mental health issues. There’s still a way to go. Not knowing or understanding mental illness can lead to ignorance and fear, he said.

"Frequently we see that people think our clients are dangerous," Sykes said.

When it comes to trying to find housing for mental health clients, organizations often come up against the "not in my back yard" attitude, he said, creating a challenge for clients and their families.

"They have to live and function in the community and have to find a way to live around this benign intolerance," Sykes said.

Open houses are one way Madison House helps the community see who they are. The result? People are often willing to help out or donate needed items.

New clients at Madison House are given welcome baskets filled with sheets, towels and toiletries, luxuries that some may have gone without.

"Some people come with the clothes they have on," said Marilyn Baker, director of Mental Health Services.

Clients can live at Madison House as long as they need to. Once settled, clients begin treatment and get job and life skills training.

Clients join groups such as a job club, for discussing employment strategies and ideas, or a breakfast club, where they discuss current events.

In other groups clients are encouraged to talk about what’s on their minds, even what they’d like to see on the Madison House menu.

"Oh, I don’t know," said Leaman Bacon, 42. "Maybe more hamburgers."

Bacon has lived at Madison House for more than five years. Like other residents, Leaman said he particularly enjoys the field trips. Highlights last year included camping, the tulip festival and the Seattle Asian Art Museum .

"I’m very happy here," he said.

Tom Beaudette, 48, suffers from schizophrenia. He came to Madison House nine years ago but not before making travels on his own.

"Once I hitchhiked from here to Texas, to the San Antonio Mall," Beaudette said. He took the bus back.

While at Madison House Beaudette gained the skills to live on his own. He moved out five years ago and lives in an apartment run by Bridgeways. He still attends meetings and outings.

"It feels better to be out there like that," he said.

In the spirit of thanks and giving during the holiday season, Madison House clients and staff members take part in a giving tree program in which they provide gifts for others in need.

On Thanksgiving they will open their doors for dinner. Friends, family and members of the community are invited to stop by.

Reporter Christina Harper: 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.