ATMC changed my life forever. I'm incredibly grateful to have experienced this special place during…read moresuch an important chapter of my journey. The staff and fellow patients were some of the kindest, most welcoming, and genuinely compassionate people I've ever met. The compassion, connection, and support I experienced here have stayed with me long after my time at ATMC.
Here's a letter I wrote about a year ago to John, the Chief Administrator at ATMC, reflecting on my experience there when I was 18:
It's been almost 5 years since I had the pleasure of knowing you and traveling to the most magical place I have ever been, ATMC. I think about you, the time I spent here, and all the incredible connections I made often.
John, in my mind you were like a superhero to me, one of the greatest, most compassionate people I have ever met. I tell the story about when we were up all night drinking raw eggs after we went to the gym and church to so many people. You genuinely were my hero that night, and I want you to know the impact yourself and ATMC had on me is something I can't even put into words.
Your advice and comfort from that night will never leave me. You were sitting with me early in the morning in Dr. Libby's office. As we waited for the sun to rise, you said some words along the lines of, "Just learning to relax and not overthink things." In my anxiety-ridden, overthinking, hypo-manic state, it was exactly what I needed to hear, and in that moment I could see my adult life unfolding.
We did a speech last year in my public speaking class, and the theme was one great moment from our lives. I told the story of this moment. In that moment it felt as if it was a portal from my life as a kid, to my life as an adult. Surviving that night, sitting with a man I not only admired, but deeply trusted, he spoke simple words that I would carry with me for the rest of my life. In that moment I was no longer a scared kid, I was a man.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the ways you helped me and all the possibilities ATMC showed me. 5 years ago, I found my soul here in Sedona, and I want to come back someday.
I started studying psychology last year at our junior college before taking a break to travel. I have so much knowledge and insight from lived experience. I know about mania, dissociation, and I know first hand how incredible it is to live this med free life.
This is a letter I've been wanting to write for a while, just to tell you how grateful I am. I am doing well! Hopefully I'll get to tell you the full story some day.
Sincerely,
Logan