The Gateway to a Better Life

How many people do you know that are truly living their best lives in their 60s? Stephen Whyte from St. Louis, Missouri, USA says the last few years have been his absolute best. He reached his 63rd birthday in January, has worked at a job he loves for 13 years, and has a steady girlfriend. Stephen’s life is really good right now and he credits Clubhouse for helping him get there.

Like so many people living with a serious mental illness, Stephen’s days have not always been great. “I’ve felt lonely most of my life.” Stephen recalls children making fun of him at school. He also suffered unthinkable abuse by his kindergarten teacher. This traumatic event caused him to act out in school and he was eventually expelled. He went to alternative schooling for a period but returned to public school during his high school years. Despite the hardship, Stephen went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in philosophy and at one point even worked on his PhD.

He was 29 when he learned he had schizoaffective disorder, a serious mental health illness that has symptoms and characteristics of both schizophrenia and mood disorders like depression and mania. “I thought my life was over. I could not do what I wanted. I was really depressed because I wanted to be a university professor. My parents would pester me about getting a job, but I had a hard time keeping one back then.” It was right around the time of his diagnosis that the social worker at the hospital where he was admitted told him about his local Clubhouse, Independence Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

“At first, the Clubhouse was a way to get away from my parents. I could read and eat lunch there and over time, I did make some friends,” said Stephen. As time went on, he began getting involved in the Work-Ordered Day at the Clubhouse. “I started working on attendance and eventually they got me involved with the banking of the Clubhouse, I was reconciling accounts.”

From there, the Clubhouse Director encouraged Stephen to try the unique Clubhouse Transitional Employment program. “He was really reluctant at first and I pestered him often about giving it a chance,” said Jennifer Higginbotham. “She would come around and I would put up my two fingers into an X to tell her I was not interested. I was lacking in self-confidence and was worried I wouldn’t be happy, would get fired, or just want to quit,” said Stephen.

Eventually Stephen discussed the possibility of transitional work with his doctor who was vocally very opposed to it. “The doctor did not think I could handle the stress. A Clubhouse staff member disagreed with the assessment because he worked with me every day and saw my progress. Tim Morrell gave me the confidence to try transitional work.”

Over the years, Stephen took advantage of several employment opportunities secured through the Clubhouse employment program —one with a company that made lights for ambulances and other emergency vehicles. The company offered Stephen permanent employment but he turned that role down and in 2012 his dream job came open at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. He saw a listing for the tour guide position and applied. He had lots of practice giving tours too because he had given plenty at the Clubhouse. The interview did not go well though because Stephen was dealing with some personal issues that did not allow him to put his best foot forward. He worked with the Clubhouse team and the next time that job became available he nailed the interview. “I remember overhearing them say they liked my instincts.” That was 13 years ago! Ever since, Stephen has been both a tour guide and a tour guide trainer. What he loves about the job is that he gets to share his knowledge. “I get to teach but I don’t have to give out grades to anyone and I get to meet people from all over the world.”

Stephen’s favorite factoids about the Gateway Arch that he often shares with visitors are:

1. When you see the Arch outside it looks taller than it is wide, but the width and height are the same

2. Actuaries predicted that several people would die during the two years of construction, but good news— everybody involved lived

3. The Arch is a monument to all things westward expansion, it’s the gateway to the west

4. While it’s rare that one of the tram cars (that takes you to the top of the Arch) gets stuck, when it happens it takes mechanics about 15 minutes to fix the issue—whew right?

Stephen’s job at the Gateway Arch is the longest one he has ever had, and he credits Clubhouse for making it possible. “If it had not been for people like Jennifer and Tim encouraging me and believing in me, I would likely not be working today. And the truth is without Clubhouse in my life I would likely be in jail or dead,” said Stephen. His parents are in their 80s now and are happy to see their son in a good place. “They say they’re proud of me now. That’s a big deal.”

The Clubhouse has not just provided opportunity to Stephen, it has given him a community he can rely on—one he did not have for most of his life. “In school I did not have this, and it’s been a huge part of healing in my life.”

When he’s not working or spending time at the Clubhouse, Stephen is playing chess, or writing. He’s also an avid reader. His top three book recommendations include:

1. Anything by Rollo May, an existential psychologist who wrote influential books like “Love and Will”

2. “The End of Eternity ,” is a science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov

3. And lastly, books written by bioethicist Leon Kass who like May, addresses living a worthy life and finding meaning in modern society

Stephen’s writing earned him a 2nd place prize in a contest sponsored by the St Louis Writer’s Guild. We leave you with his winning poem titled “Day and Night.”

The moonlight flows along the banks

And no one knows just where it goes

Or to whom it is we owe thanks.

The flower rises at the dawn

And it disguises the eyes of night,

Then sinks at the dusk, to end day’s delight.

The stream takes flight, night and day

With sun and moon to light our way;

The world is right come what may.