Success Stories; Harvey

Let me tell you the story of Harvey, not his real name. At the time I was working for Suffolk County on a Joint Project with the New York State Office of Mental Health and Hands Across Long Island.

Our project was a music program with instructors to teach primarily dual diagnosed folks how to play an instrument or to improve their skills. The goal of the program however had nothing to do with music instruction. The goals were engagement, meeting people in an atmosphere of their interests and strengths, and to promote and facilitate recovery in an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment.

Harvey was a referral by a colleague as a tough case. Harvey was living in an Adult Home a slight step above homelessness. He appeared to have violent tendencies he was scary to say the least. He was 6’ 4” tall and had a shaved head. He wore Army boots and at times fatigues. He carried on his shoulder a huge “Boom Box” and played loud heavy metal music.

When Harvey arrived for his first day at the center he strolled in to the room with this bop that made everyone to stop and look at him. I remember he went straight to the corner of the recreation room where there stood a punching bag. As his music played he slammed his body into the bag. Several people rushed to me to complain. He was breaking the rules! He cannot stay here he is crazy!

I quickly spoke with Harvey outside in private. We had talked before about the program. When we reached a private spot he said, I guess you don’t want me here any longer. He was shocked when I responded quite the opposite. I said, “Harvey, if you were sitting in a room and a big fellow came in playing very loud music and slamming into a punching bag in an angry manner, do you think it is possible you would feel fearful? He responded that he understood my point. I asked him if he was interested in learning how to play an instrument? He said yes he always wanted to play the drums. I brought him to the instructor.

After his first lesson he came to me to thank me for letting him stay. The instructor came to me as well and said, he had never met someone as uncoordinated as Harvey in his life. But Harvey’s enthusiasm far outweighed his limitations!

It was October 1998 and Hands Across Long Island was celebrating their tenth anniversary. The agency had the Eglevsky Ballet perform their version of “Fire and Ice” with a twist! The group of folks from the music group would perform a piece they had written and the Ballet choreographed an act to go along with that number. When the lights went down out walked the 20-piece band dressed in Tuxedo’s among them was Harvey on percussion!

After the show Harvey introduced me to his mother and sister. With tears in their eyes they thanked me for giving them back Harvey. Of course I am keenly aware that I did not give him back. I was simply a conduit for Harvey’s recovery. It is my firm position to take zero credit for any ones success or temporary failure. I take responsibility for me and me only.