Messages of Hope
Each year, Not Alone Notes partners with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) for a card drive that sends notes to people in treatment for OCD over the holidays. If you’re interested in participating, you can find out more information here. All cards must mailed to the IOCDF by November 30th.
This year, I hosted a card decorating and writing event at my local library. The event was sponsored by my side project called Letters from Lisa, which mails free, handwritten letters of encouragement to people struggling worldwide. We used the premade card templates provided by Not Alone Notes and the IOCDF. I also pre-wrote some short messages that the patrons could use, or they could write their own messages! We had about 45 children and adults come to the event, and together, we wrote 55 holiday cards full of love, joy, and encouragement (pictured). The program was well-received, and I already had requests that we do it again next year.
Lisa & Molly Meet Up
While I was in Boston last weekend for a speech pathology conference, I was able to meet up with co-founder Molly! This was only our third time meeting in person. The first was when Molly visited me while I was in residential treatment at McLean’s OCDI in April 2021, and then we saw each other again at OCD Con in July 2022. This time around we were able to go out for coffee and breakfast! We caught up with each other and chatted about OCD and Not Alone Notes. It’s always so fun getting to see OCD and Not Alone Notes friends in person!
Not Alone Notes Writers are Feeling Thankful this November
Here are some things our writers and board said they were thankful for this November:
- Brie: “My new job”
- Molly: “Stickers!”
- Emerson: “New job, new apartment, and the smell of pumpkin bread everywhere within said new apartment”
- Alex G.: “Blue skies, crisp air, and going on walks with my puppy!”
- Lila: “My friends and my cats”
- Violet: “Breaks from school! Also, I got a giant stuffed sloth”
- Kim: “Our family pulled together to put on Thanksgiving for my American mother-in-law who suffered a traumatic brain injury in October. It may not be as spectacular as she makes it, but the most important this is– we will all be there.”
- Lisa: “My new job and new relationship bringing me some much-needed joy this fall”
- Karan: “Health. Humor, friends, and flamingos”
Writer Life Updates
- Morgan got a dog! Her name is Maisy
- Lisa started a second master’s degree! She is getting an M.A. in Autism Spectrum Disorders, which will help enhance her practice as a speech pathologist
Post written by Lisa Giuffre
About Lisa: Lisa is a speech-language pathologist at a specialized school for students on the autism spectrum. She is the founder of Letters from Lisa, a board member for OCD NJ, and a note writer and treasurer for Not Alone Notes. Lisa also works part-time at a local library as a library assistant. When she isn’t working or advocating, Lisa can be found reading, writing, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.
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