News & Discussion

Lansing Couple Share Story of Hope and Recovery from Mental Illness

August 20, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

LANSING – Lansing resident Jerri Nicole Wright shared her story with StoryCorps earlier this year with her husband, Thomas Wright. Their story was recorded at The Fledge in Lansing as a part of a Michigan History Museum project. The couple discusses many experiences throughout their lives, including their experiences with mental illnesses. “We’d like the theme of the [story] to be how our love has helped us recover from a mental illness,” says Thomas.

They begin their story by sharing how they met and began their relationship around 30 years ago in the Greater Lansing area. They also share about their early experiences in recovery from a substance use disorder and the challenges that came with that time in their lives, including facing stigma and judgement from others.

“…it’s hard enough to be recovering from a mental illness, but to be recovering from alcoholism at the same time, it was some difficult times for you and I,” says Tom. Jerri Nicole replies, “I agree, it was very, very difficult. There’s just a lot of stigma around mental illness, there’s stigma around alcoholism.”

Though they are currently retired, the couple also discuss their former careers. Thomas worked at Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) for 31 years as a job coach who worked with adults with developmental disabilities, and Jerri Nicole spent 15 years working in Brody Dining Hall at Michigan State University. In addition to her work at MSU, Jerri Nicole has been an advocate for individuals with mental illnesses for the past 10 years, and currently serves on the Recipient Rights Committee at CMHA-CEI.

Jerri Nicole states, “It’s our job, as [individuals] recovering from mental illnesses, to reach out to others to let them know that there is hope, there is possibility, there is a chance of recovery.”

To listen to the story in full, visit: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/jerri-nicole-wright-and-thomas-wright/.