Penny's Story

We do not touch letters.. I leave them
as they are written or typed.

May 13, 2010

Hello my name is Penny I live here at
The Mission in citrus now

And was asked to explain to readers a
little bit about how I ended up here.

I’ll begin by telling you that there
are a lot of extended circumstances, well you can be the judge. Like a lot of
people I too had a family, however three major parts of it past away it was
then me & my boyfriend and our daughter

Shirley Ann was devastated. We were
living in Sugar Mill Woods for 3 in a half years only to end up in a truck with
nothing but a mattress , food for our baby and no where to go. We were suppose
to go to Michigan to receive money that was left in the Will but no way to get
there. So we ended up loosing our daughter to HRS and began to blame each other
which lead to us separating and I wound up here at The mission. When I got here
I was lost alone. As days went on and talking with Jim my life began having
meaning again even though I can’t see my little girl I realized I must go on. I
have lost everything I love and have loved. Jim kept pushing me forward telling
me put everything in Gods hands my situation and other are not in stone with
God anything and everything can change. Shortly after I wound up in the ER at
Citrus Memorial Hospital as a suicide overdose I was Baker acted. For a while I
was hospitalized Jim, instead of writing me off when he heard about what happen
he respectfully called me to see how I was doing and that he still would take
me back because that’s the way he is. He new I had no one and no were to go.
His compassion for everyone is what makes him different from a lot of people.
So not only did I end up with those problems I had a lot more problems come up
my kidneys, heart and other major organs shut down I had fluid on my brain. I
receive insulin shots for my head that dried up the fluid on my brain. I even
ended blind for several days. Because of prayer and faith, Easter Sunday, which
ill never forget, I was able to see that day. Because of the dialosis machine
stopping it happened but there was no choice if I didn’t go in I was gone for
sure. Finally the day came I could leave the critical care unit and my room
that became my home for three weeks. Then the hospital in formed me that I had
to go to the Centers in Ocala a mental hospital in Ocala. I was curious as to
what they

had to say after all of what I’ve been
through so far. After ten days, a Marchmen Act, and a court date set I was able
to leave, but where I thought who is willing, that knows all of what happen,
going to even care to try and help me. Then here I am a month later 15 more
major problems Ect.. A familiar voice was on the phone telling me when ever you
can no matter what happened come home that voice was James Slieghter. So
between God, Jim ,and love I am alive today. I can only hope that this short
story has let you know that there is a god and also that Jim is a great man an
he’s the reason why people like me get second chances. Jim doesn’t just talk
about problems he helps solve them or gives it his best shot to solve the
problem. Jim is someone who makes and keeps making a difference in Citrus
County. I hope all you reading this have the pleasure of meeting James
Slieghter. I did. So thank you Jim for all you have done and all you are doing
for me and everyone else.

In Jesus name… Amen!

Sincerely,

Penny