When Ruth and Josh Mariano got married, he planned to work, and she planned to be a stay-at-home mom.  But life doesn’t always go as planned.

Several years ago Josh was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, causing serious shifts in his moods from the highs of mania on one extreme to the lows of depression on the other.  Josh was hospitalized 12 times in one year.

After the birth of their second child, Ruth suffered from post-partum depression. She needed and received immediate help.   

By June 2007, the Marianos had six children, and the family was spiraling out of control.  “I thought I should be able to take care of my family, but I couldn’t,” said Ruth.  She went to the children’s grade school and told counselors she needed help.

The Mariano family immediately began receiving family therapy through a partnership between KVC and the school district in Independence, Missouri.  This program offers in-home mental health therapy for at-risk children and families. Although the Mariano children do well academically, they have mental health challenges. 

At home, family challenges are magnified, because if one person is having a problem, it can cause the situation to escalate.  “It used to be intense all the time,” said Josh. KVC in-home therapists helped the Marianos put expectations in place.  Now the family uses school methods of discipline to reinforce consistency. “We use the color coded-system for time-outs.  We use a lot of repetition and a lot of talk.”

The Marianos also receive medication management through KVC’s telepsychiatry services.  “We are thankful to have the continuity among the doctors,” said Ruth.  “We’ve stayed in the school system.”

In December 2007, the Marianos lost their home after Josh lost his job as a computer systems analyst.  KVC worked with a family liaison to obtain low-income housing through the state of Missouri. The Eli Lilly Foundation donates some of the needed medications.  The family also receives help and support from their church and family.

“We’ve put a lot of hard work in,” said Kim O’Connor, KVC Director of the Independence Project.  “This is a very different family than it was two years ago.”

“Since working with KVC, I have gone 26 months without being hospitalized,” said Josh.  “This is the longest I’ve gone in my adult life without hospitalization.” 

“They are a star family, and they prove what motivation and quality care can accomplish,” says Kim “They are very intelligent, hardworking and open.”

“There is a lot of love in this family,” said Josh.  “We stick up for each other.”

The Marianos agreed to share their story in hopes it will help others.  “We will do whatever it takes to make our family better,” said Ruth.  “This will be your success family. We will not fail.”