Denise Perkins' Story
My name is Denise Perkins, and this is my story. On November 21, 2003, I was admitted to Cedar Sinai Hospital where they had to do emergency surgery. I had a blood clot in my brain. They had to do a Subdural Hematoma. I was released from Cedar's and sent to Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center to start rehab
My rehab was very extensive. I had to learn how to walk again, talk and read. It was hard, but I didn't give up. I decided that God has given me a second chance at life, so I was going to give all I had and change my life. I have been clearn and sober for 22 months.
I have been through both the "Stepping Out" and "Work Readiness" programs. I learned a lot from "Stepping Out". I learned to keep a daily log of appointments and things that I do. They showed us how to manage money, and how to make goals for ourselves. "The Work Readiness" program taught me about my work strengths and weaknesses. I know that I could do office work, but I needed to brush up on my math and reading skills. So I decided to go to Cerritos College. Work Readiness also taught me to be independent."
Now I am go to Cerritos College Satellite here at Rancho and I am volunteering for Denise Ha and Kathy Kelley and I love it. I now live at Pico Rivera Gardens, my Board and Care and I love it. Everybody in my family is proud of me. There's no turning back for me. I'll take one step, one day at a time.
I would like to thank God, for giving me another chance, my Father and Step Mother for believing in me, and Denise Ha and Kathy Kelley for giving me the chance to volunteer for them.