Women's Recovery Home Update

[HyOnLyph]

Hi everyone, Just thought I'd give you all an update.
As many of you know, my wife and I have a home for women who are in recovery from addiction, trauma, abuse etc. At this time we have 7 women, 5 of whom smoke.

Through the generosity of the amazing people in this forum, we have received donations of ecigs, carts and cash to allow us to introduce e-cigarettes to the women and keep them going for a short time. They can't afford to get started so this was a huge help. Of course they are used to paying for cigarettes and they know at some point they'll pay for their own maintenance (carts etc) But right now, they're excited about the possibilities. A few have already mentioned that they can breathe better.

Currently all of the smokers are trying them out. One is totally on board, 3 are committed part timers and one is pretty iffy. (but that's OK. We don't place any pressure on them.)

The house smells so much better. They are not allowed to smoke in the house but the smell of smoke on their clothes was getting overwhelming. Now their clothes and hands (and breath) are so much better.

I think one of the things that blesses the ladies so much is that someone out there cares enough to respond like this. They are personal recipients of your kindness. Since it is personal and not some type of "gov't program" it is received with a lot of gratitude and humility by our ladies. This is consistent with the type of home we run. The gov't does not provide any assistance to a home like ours. The women are pretty amazed that you would do this. You all have been amazing in the response to our program.

We have a turnover of women, so if any of you still want to participate we can continue this outreach to more women and it is always appreciated. As a reminder, we are a non-profit and donations of "in-kind" gifts (materials) as well as $ are tax deductible. www.preludefoundation.org

Please feel free to ask questions or make comments.

Warmest blessings to everyone in this forum. As I've said before, "if not with us.... Please get involved somewhere... anywhere… Find a way to give of yourself. it'll do you a world of good".

You all epitomize the heart of this statement.

 

[markfm]

Thanks for the update -- if even one person in a given group really takes to it, that's a huge plus. That there are 3 even part-timers is a gift.

If anyone has an issue beyond the bit of basic dryness that occurs for everyone (drink water), they may be one of the folks who need VG-based liquid (most of it is PG-based). There are some who have an allergy to PG-based. (My sister turned out to be one -- VG did marvels for her.)

Good luck!

 

[Nyxie]

I have wanted to do PIF here for a while now but I never seem to get around to it. I do PIF in the real world but have only a few people that need things.
I have some juice I don't use anymore or got in trades etc.. None of it is bad , just not to my liking or I have grown out of it. There are anywhere from 5ml to 20 ml's of various flavors. I would hate for them to go to waste sitting here waiting for me to PIF them so if you send me a PM I will gladly send them to the women there.

 

[Sallana]

Oh jeez I'm so glad they are doing well. Thanks for the kind words. Kudos to them, and to you and your wife.

 

[sensay]

I have wanted to do PIF here for a while now but I never seem to get around to it. I do PIF in the real world but have only a few people that need things.
I have some juice I don't use anymore or got in trades etc.. None of it is bad , just not to my liking or I have grown out of it. There are anywhere from 5ml to 20 ml's of various flavors. I would hate for them to go to waste sitting here waiting for me to PIF them so if you send me a PM I will gladly send them to the women there.

I was going to writ something similar, I don't have money to donate at this time but would be happy to send some of my juices for them to try! pm me too if you are interested

 

[The Big Chief]

Send me a pm with address, and Ill send out some variety to play with.

 

[HyOnLyph]

Nyxie,
I got your package yesterday. I've been traveling and out again today so haven't really had a chance to check it out and do it justice. But HOLY SMOKES you put a lot of juice in there. So kind of you. I did see some brands that I wanted to try ... the ladies may not get those ;o) My wife is amused that I'm so passionate about this and I don't smoke at all. I puff on the ecig once in a while without inhaling just to check out the flavors. I've mentioned before... the girls are really blessed that people care so much.

Thank you again.

I'll post again when I have a chance to go through them and "dole them out".

I have wanted to do PIF here for a while now but I never seem to get around to it. I do PIF in the real world but have only a few people that need things.
I have some juice I don't use anymore or got in trades etc.. None of it is bad , just not to my liking or I have grown out of it. There are anywhere from 5ml to 20 ml's of various flavors. I would hate for them to go to waste sitting here waiting for me to PIF them so if you send me a PM I will gladly send them to the women there.

 

[HyOnLyph]

Big Chief,
Got your box yesterday too. Wow what a gold mine. It burst open like a Jack-in-the-Box when I opened it. I've been traveling so haven't had a chance to really go through everything. But I can see I'm probably going to have some questions about what goes with what.... I'll PM you.
Thank you so much.


You PIFers are awesome. (I need some more adjectives.)

 

[Kate51]

We as e-cig users and most of us who have gone the 100% road to cigarette replacement know that there is a lot more to addiction than just using an addictive substance.
For me it was a nearly life-long use of tobacco cigarettes (ok, and coffee, too!). But I was so glued to the 'behavior' of it that it took 44 years to come to a point where I knew my health was in serious trouble. As well as my mental well being. I was close to being non-productive. And I work at home doing upholstery, another huge barrier was isolation. Easy to hide out here! I had literally no energy, lack of sleep, lack of choices, in the end my first second and third choice was to just go have another cigarette. I was tired. And ill.
So would like to hear more about recovering for these ladies. How they take control back of their life. And how intervention works for someone who doesn't 'think' they need any help at all. An atmosphere of Abuse and substance abuse is telling. How do they get their Faith in themselves back and their strength to take it back.
Even a curious interest in replacing smoking with vaping is encouraging! Mastering the goal in amazing.

 

[HyOnLyph]

Thanks for asking. No room here to write the book.... but at the risk of oversimplifying ..... Most of the women in our home have been through mutliple rehab programs and most have done more than one stint in jail. In our home, it's all about choices... that's why the e-cigs have been a great "step" for them. It's a little less fearful and more able to make a choice. We don't push the choice to quit. Only that this is an option that could allow one to make a "healthier decision" Much of our work is about helping the women acquire tools to discover the beliefs that hide behind the feelings. In most cases, for these ladies, their choices have been driven by feelings and feelings are driven by beliefs. (what do I believe that causes me to fear, what do I fear that causes me to justify my behavior, etc) If they can identify and change the beliefs, the emotions change/stabilze and the result is peace, freedom, trust. This allows for healthy decisions. Decisions that are "good for me".

When we lessen or eliminate the fear, healthy choices reveal themselves.

In the simplest of terms, we only make choices that are unhealthy for us when we are afraid not to.

When one of our girls has the courage to do something new... even if it's just to ride the bus... we celebrate their courage and build on the fact that they conquered the task.

Re: intervention. Not really a big part of what we do. Loving confrontation on a moment by moment basis? Yes!. But not intervention per se. That usually happens before they get to us. I think loving, non-judgemental intervention is a good process. Helpful. Even if the addict doesn't listen at the moment... when they are ready, they'll remember.

We also have women who are not "addicts" but wounded in other ways. Trauma, abuse, etc. Driven by fear, destructive "defense mechanisms"... And yet, the process to healing is the same. We are all addicts in one way or another... and we all can find healing.

 

[Nyxie]

I am so glad you are there for these women. And glad I could send some stuff over.
I hope they like some of the flavors and you do too LOL.

 

[LowThudd]

Glad to help! I hope the Classic starter kit from the igetcha competition is working well. If at any time your ladies run low on juice, feel free to make a post and/or PM me. If I can help I will. Were close enough that it would only take a couple days to get to you(if that).

 

[HzG8rGrl]

We as e-cig users and most of us who have gone the 100% road to cigarette replacement know that there is a lot more to addiction than just using an addictive substance.
For me it was a nearly life-long use of tobacco cigarettes (ok, and coffee, too!). But I was so glued to the 'behavior' of it that it took 44 years to come to a point where I knew my health was in serious trouble. As well as my mental well being. I was close to being non-productive. And I work at home doing upholstery, another huge barrier was isolation. Easy to hide out here! I had literally no energy, lack of sleep, lack of choices, in the end my first second and third choice was to just go have another cigarette. I was tired. And ill.
So would like to hear more about recovering for these ladies. How they take control back of their life. And how intervention works for someone who doesn't 'think' they need any help at all. An atmosphere of Abuse and substance abuse is telling. How do they get their Faith in themselves back and their strength to take it back.
Even a curious interest in replacing smoking with vaping is encouraging! Mastering the goal in amazing.

Kate,
The first thing to do in this situation is to find a way to remove yourself from the people that have the ability to control/influence your behavior. This takes an enormous amount of strength to accomplish. Fear of what you do not know in these/those times is greater than the fear of the life one is living at the moment. At least now, at that moment, you know what to expect and how to react. Change in environment, what comes next and what others will say are just a few of the hardest elements of just getting started to remove ones self and start rehabilitation. How does this happen?
You have to get to know the addicted and the addiction, the depressed and the depression, the fragile and the weakness and what is it that fires the "I can trust you" mechanism. Each person is different and how deep their scars run. These people (you, me and all the others) have/had never known what real love, kindness, giving and caring were-not even for ourselves. A beginning point is to prove to someone that they are worth all of the beforehand mentioned. No matter how many times they fight back, we/they can be given love, kindness and caring by giving of ourselves without feeding the-I am worthless, I don't deserve-without giving in to the anger and not giving in to them. Always be there with your tough, but real love.
Choices- My goodness, let's show how important our choices are and start simple. Choose to make a list of small things to accomplish on a given day. Choose to get up early, watch the sunrise and get that small list completed. Choose to make the bed and cook a meal, perhaps one that was picked from a garden. Have a day of living. Mother nature has a way of making one feel alive and safe and when shared with someone who won't do anything but experience it with you, without discussion of who, what, where, why and when can be the most wonderful day you have ever experienced. Prove to them that each and every small choice they/you make can and will change the path you take each and every day. Explain that you have chosen to be there with and for them, no matter what.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the (my) point.

 

[HyOnLyph]

The Mirage kit that you donated is very cool. It has recently found a happy home. I'm still trying to find out what carts / parts are compatible.
I think it's a M4xx series. Possible a m402. Not sure. If you know what it is, LMK. Thanks for the offer on the juice. Very kind of you.

Glad to help! I hope the Classic starter kit from the igetcha competition is working well. If at any time your ladies run low on juice, feel free to make a post and/or PM me. If I can help I will. Were close enough that it would only take a couple days to get to you(if that).

 

[HyOnLyph]

Kate,
The first thing to do in this situation is to find a way to remove yourself from the people that have the ability to control/influence your behavior. This takes an enormous amount of strength to accomplish. Fear of what you do not know in these/those times is greater than the fear of the life one is living at the moment. At least now, at that moment, you know what to expect and how to react. Change in environment, what comes next and what others will say are just a few of the hardest elements of just getting started to remove ones self and start rehabilitation. How does this happen?
You have to get to know the addicted and the addiction, the depressed and the depression, the fragile and the weakness and what is it that fires the "I can trust you" mechanism. Each person is different and how deep their scars run. These people (you, me and all the others) have/had never known what real love, kindness, giving and caring were-not even for ourselves. A beginning point is to prove to someone that they are worth all of the beforehand mentioned. No matter how many times they fight back, we/they can be given love, kindness and caring by giving of ourselves without feeding the-I am worthless, I don't deserve-without giving in to the anger and not giving in to them. Always be there with your tough, but real love.
Choices- My goodness, let's show how important our choices are and start simple. Choose to make a list of small things to accomplish on a given day. Choose to get up early, watch the sunrise and get that small list completed. Choose to make the bed and cook a meal, perhaps one that was picked from a garden. Have a day of living. Mother nature has a way of making one feel alive and safe and when shared with someone who won't do anything but experience it with you, without discussion of who, what, where, why and when can be the most wonderful day you have ever experienced. Prove to them that each and every small choice they/you make can and will change the path you take each and every day. Explain that you have chosen to be there with and for them, no matter what.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the (my) point.

Very well said. "Perfect love casts out all fear." Applies to our own hearts and the heart of others.
I could preach a sermon.... but I don't do that very often. ;o)

 

[LowThudd]

The Mirage kit that you donated is very cool. It has recently found a happy home. I'm still trying to find out what carts / parts are compatible.
I think it's a M4xx series. Possible a m402. Not sure. If you know what it is, LMK. Thanks for the offer on the juice. Very kind of you.

Yep, it is a 402 type. I'll keep my eye out for good deals on them.

 

[Imagine]

HI I have a bunch of extra's I would love to donate...100's of the older style 808d1 cartos, about a 100 generic 808d1 batts and like 20-30 juices...I vaped only about 1ml out of each...just didn't care for the flavors...

please send me a PM if you are interested.

Thanks!

 

[HyOnLyph]

Wow, that's amazing. I'm sending a PM right away. Thank you very much.

Thanks to everyone who has ever supported us. I don't update a lot... (I don't want folks thinking we mooching.) But we've been so blessed by all of you at PIF. And the friendships are the biggest blessing of all.

 

[The Big Chief]

Wow, that's amazing. I'm sending a PM right away. Thank you very much.

Thanks to everyone who has ever supported us. I don't update a lot... (I don't want folks thinking we mooching.) But we've been so blessed by all of you at PIF. And the friendships are the biggest blessing of all.

I always look around for the occasional update..

 

[HyOnLyph]

Hey Big Chief , Rose ... and everyone else too...... I'm sorry I haven't updated more frequently. The time gets away from me.

Well... right now we have 4 women in our home. The newest and youngest is 20. She livens the place up.
Lisa is now visiting women at the minimum security farm as well as the main jail. And we're still working with some local rehab treatment centers.

Right now, two of our ladies are vaping. They are the only "smokers" in the house. That changes from week to week. One has moved up to eGo's. We bought her one for her one year anniversary. The other is loving her SmokeStik and has learned how to reload her cartos. She smoked less than a half a pack a day but is down to zero analogs at low nicotine. it's exciting when they get excited.

Probably the most rewarding thing for me is teaching life skills and counseling on a daily basis. I love giving them options to make life changing choices. It's exciting when they actually get it and find new courage to use the tools. That is probably why i'm passionate about PVs. I see them as a tool to take steps to healthier lifestyle. One step leads to another.

So that's my update for now. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask. We currently have a few complete kits for newbies and a variety of spare parts. So this donation will set us up and we'll be able to reach out to the rehab facilities.
Thanks for your continued interest. I (and we all) appreciate your kindness. The ladies know that there are folks outside of our home that are rooting for them. It is a significant encouragement to them.

Thanks again to all of you.

I always look around for the occasional update..