HELP Tracey Hoffman nee Joffe get to Rehab

With Tracey's permission I am sharing her story with hope of getting her the help she needs for the first time in her life. We all knew Tracey. For some who did not know my relationship with Trace, my Mom and Dad were bestest of friends with her adopted parents Elain and Ken. We shared every holiday together at Lotheni, Giants Castle, Injasuthi you name me it if it was the berg we went. Every weekend was shared braaiing and getting up to mischief.

Tracey was always the life and soul of a party...never sat still. Definitely a modern day ADHD. Sadly, Elain Tracey's Mom passed away in Tracey's Gr 12 year having been diagnosed with Cancer eight months prior to her passing. Then a few years later she lost her Dad tragically. It was at this stage Tracey felt very alone, lost and began to dabble with drugs merely trying to numb her pain. Sadly Tracey has a highly addictive personality and it was not long before her life spiraled out of control to feed her habit. She has scammed many people, hurt even more but we know this is the life of an addict. Tracey has to live with memories of her self she certainly is not proud of. However, She has committed to making right with all after she recovers. Whilst up the North Coast working in a club Tracey was at rock bottom and a lovely chap took her under his wing. She came down to Pennington went cold turkey and managed to get off hard drugs turning her life around. She got custody back to see her kids and really did well for many years. However, still had not given up alcohol. Then Covid hit and life began to crumble for Tracey once again. Tracey and her husband Gavin, a wonderful man who she has been married to for 10 years relied on the hospitality Industry for an income. They like many struggled. They thus invited a chap to move in to share their rent. Tragically this chap had a history of using drugs and it was not long before Tracey gave in. Crack became her best friend once again. This she hid from all that loved her for two years. It all came to a head on Wednesday evening in the middle of March when we almost lost Tracey to drugs. It had all tragically got too much her her to bare. She ended up in a hospital emergency lifeless. By God's grace Trace has been saved and I believe she has a story to tell many when she is well. Tracey was under psychiatric care for a few weeks . It was then that I felt truly led to help my childhood special friend whom I had shared so many special memories with. I prayed about it and started this GO FUND ME ACCOUNT. I have been absolutely astounded by the help of family and friends which have enabled Tracey to be where she is today. It has not been plain sailing. I flew Tracey up to Pretoria to start her journey at House Benjamen. Tracey completed two months at that facility. Tracey had been evaluated and treated at GJ Crooks and has been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder with a number of underlying conditions. She needed psychiatric care and unfortunately this was not available at the centre she was at. I called around and most rehabilitation centres, charge between R 40 000- R 60 000 a month. There just is no safety net here in SA for anyone who battles addiction, let alone psychiatric disorders and the need chronic medication. At this stage I started doubting God. I just did not know how I could get Tracey the help she needed. But, God is bigger than that. Nadine a friend of Gavin's and Tracey, managed to get Tracey admitted to a beautiful new facility in Centurion. She drove 6 hours to transfer her to her new facility, bought her warm jackets and all she needed to be settled. The transfer was not easy Tracey who at that stage had been off her meds for a week was unsettled. The facility follows strict protocol and needed Tracey assessed by a psychiatrist as soon as possible. I was called to say they were concerned about Tracey and could not guarantee her stay, it all depended on her level of emotional stability. At this stage my heart was broken. Tracey had been clean for two months and had come so far. What would I do if they would not continue with Tracey? We all had to wait very patiently as the psychiatrist had to postpone Tracey's first appointment. In hind sight, I think this was a good thing as Tracey started to settle in her new environment. Finally on the 20 June 2022 Tracey saw a wonderful psychiatrist who spent over an hour with Tracey helping her understand her condition and how she could manage it. He adjusted her meds slightly and was in agreement with her original diagnosis. The best news came when I got a call from Jess her amazing in house counselling psychologist to say Tracey can stay and they have also extended her stay by a month. I was so excited. Tracey is doing so well. She has completed step two of the twelve step program. Step two was particularly difficult and emotional, She had to complete a twenty five page assignment describing her life story. Tracey had to relive traumatic moments in her life she had not visited for many years. She then had to present her life story to her treatment team. But, she aced it. It is her 50th Bday on Saturday and we are going up to see her to celebrate. I just cannot wait to give her a big hug.

On a more serious note, Tracey's fund has almost dried up. we have R 10 000 left of which I have to pay R5000 out for meds and her stay for this coming month. Her psychiatrist follow up appointment is R 3600. I'm trusting God will grow the fund to provide Tracey the full care she needs.

If you would like to sow into Tracey's life pls. click on the link and follow the prompts. Every little bit counts. No amount too too small. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all my personal friends who have donated not even knowing Tracey in person but sowing into Tracey's life in support of what is very dear to my heart. To all of Tracey's family and friends thank you for your support. Tracey has asked me to keep a list of all who have supported her. She will thank you personally once she is on the other side. Th photo below is Tracey at equine therapy last week. I just love how happy she looks. Take care everyone I will update you next week after our visit.