Many people have read or seen movies about the siege of the Alamo, an old Spanish mission in San Antonio, Texas. Mexico had allowed settlers from the United States to come to Texas, which was then part of Mexico, and these settlers became upset with Mexican rule and decided to rebel.
Initially, the Texans were able to drive out the Mexican troops, but General Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, decided to lead an army to put down the rebellion. As he led his approximately 2,000 troops north, they came to the Alamo and saw that it was held by 182 men under the command of William Travis and James Bowie.
Travis and Bowie had been ordered by Sam Houston to fortify the Alamo and buy him enough time to gather an army to attack the Mexican army.
The men came from Texas but also from other states. The most famous defender was former Congressman Davey Crockett who led a group of Tennessee fighters to help defend the Alamo.
Demanding surrender, Travis answered with cannon fire and Santa Anna gave the order that there would be no quarter given to the men in the Alamo. It was during this siege that Travis drew a line in the sand. He explained to his men that help was not coming and that there was no way that they could survive if Santa Anna kept attacking. He also said that since Santa Anna had ordered no quarter, that all would die if the Mexican army breached the walls.
Travis said that anyone who wanted to leave could do so, but those who would stay with him should cross the line. It is said that all of the defenders crossed the line and decided to stay.
The siege lasted 13 days. After repeatedly being repulsed by the defenders, on March 6, 1836, Santa Anna decided to make an attack from all sides and, instead of withdrawing if the attack was unsuccessful, he ordered his troops to keep regrouping and attacking. On the third attack, the Mexican soldiers made it into the interior of the Alamo and killed all the defenders.
Remember the Alamo became a rallying cry for Texans. On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston's troops defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto and gained Texas' independence from Mexico.
Our patients are also crossing a line in the sand. However, for them crossing the line meant coming to Novus to escape from the trap of drugs or alcohol. This act takes courage and we are proud to help them. We want to share one of their stories.
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School Counselor:
(Xanax)
"I entered Novus so terrified from previous experiences at other "mental health" facilities, as both a staff member and patient. It was more intense than I even realized because I absolutely could not remember anyone taking my blood (when rehab asked about intake lab work). Upon the eve of leaving here, I almost don't want to go! I know the full realization that I am finally free of the Xanax I took as prescribed...is really true! No way to thank you in words.
I want to acknowledge JJ, Joe, Jean (felt like you really hung in there with me through it all and info so helpful, as well as comments). Sheri I give kudos for getting me past the first few hours my first night and Frances too! Patty was ever so gentle and kind with me. Amber for taking me to Meilus and putting up with my incessant talking both ways! Tim, Irene, and John, thanks for making me feel so welcome when I needed it. All cooking staff were great! And Cate for referring/telling me about Meilus.
The food was totally fabulous. It was the best food and I ate everyday. Do believe my "picky" eater self was very happy here.
Stacy is awesome. Thank you for keeping my room so clean and me so content. The room was perfect and the feeling that I was at "home" here came quite fast.
Prior experiences with mental health facilities as a professional counselor and eventually as a patient, was so bad that I was terrified to even step foot onto the Novus grounds. Upon the eve of leaving, I find myself not wanting to leave; except that I feel so good that I want to move onto the next step! After eight incredibly LONG years of being on an anti-anxiety drug, literally being a pharmaceutical guinea pig and truly only following doctor's orders, I am finally totally FREE of a drug that has left me with not one iota of my life intact. The words have not been created to describe how grateful I am and will forever be. A huge thanks to everyone; from the wonderful people who started this place with a dream of hope for people they didn't even know, and to ALL those who work here that made my hope for freedom from a prison I should not have been in, come true.
I am destroying my Xanax!!! Yes! There's so many things I haven't said and comments that are positive about SO many! If I didn't say your name-I should have!" |
