Lap of Faith Inc

 LAP OF FAITH is a 501c3 organization that was founded to bring awareness to; and minimize; the destructive effects of depression and other mental illnesses. We will promote the development of healthy self-esteems and provide tools to facilitate a timely recovery.

We at Lap of Faith believe in appropriate medical care for those enduring anxiety, depression, or other mental illness – including the use of medication and counseling services. These pieces are instrumental in recovery from such an illness.  Missing, however, is the non-medical piece that provides structure and guidance, each and every day. 

Lap of Faith’s mission is to support the non-medical services that will enable those seeking good mental health, to minimize the destructive effects that often accompany such a journey.   We aim to fill the gap between medical services - and the daily thoughts & actions of individuals.  With mentoring and other professional services for instance, individuals will gain the tools to make decisions that will best maintain their jobs, relationships, and physical health, leading to a more timely recovery.

My name is Larry Federici and I suffered from severe depression for over 10 years. I made poor decisions as did not have the structure or support system to guide me during my struggles.  

Which was strange, because a child I seldom struggled, and was full of confidence. Life was amazingly good! Everything I touched, turned to gold. Job offers found me.  Whether as a banking liaison, a project coordinator, a manager to lead the team or grow sales - even an entrepreneur who started a business from scratch – I was a rock star!  My customers told me I was the best rep they had. I always had a goal, a plan to get there, and the confidence to work hard and attain... any goal that I set my mind to. I was on my way! 

Then, at 36 years of age I began to feel unsettled. I left a great job and the best manager I ever had, for "something", that was missing.  Three years later, I was still searching.  At 40, I fell off a cliff. 

I drove around all day. I was an outside salesman with no plan, no direction, and no confidence. I looked fine, but I was numb inside. I had no initiative (No guidance either – that is primarily why Lap of Faith was founded).  It’s crazy how my mind became so discombobulated. Looking back, it was a trifecta of events.  Unless you’ve been there, it’s difficult to fully understand how someone’s mind can be so disabled. My mind was disabled alright. My actions followed suite and I was downsized. No longer the exceptional employee, my productivity sucked.  Studies show that from 2007-2010, I cost my employer over $80,000 in unproductive time.

It’s called presenteeism – when you’re at work, but your mind is elsewhere.  It’s a defective part that is manufactured, a careless injury – or in my case... the salesman that didn’t make sales.  My boss had no idea what to do with me.  He didn’t know that I wandered through each day in an apathetic daze.   He never said a word, until he let me go. 

After losing my job, my reputation was in the gutter.  Over the next 4 years my wages took a huge hit as I lost about $180,000 in earnings. The only jobs I could get initially, were for $8-$10/hour. Eventually I made $15/hour, but you’ve heard that money makes money, right?  Well poverty begets poverty.  Renting a room in a house with 2 other guys is ok when you are 20. Not so much when you are 50.  

Yet with counseling, medication and a change in circumstances – my mind began to clear and I was able to look ahead.  The self-esteem engrained in me as a child took hold again as I climbed back.  I am where I’ve been, and I am driven to pursue this mission. I tell my story because people need to understand that recovery IS possible. For the 1 in 5 people that suffer from depression – yes, recovery IS possible!

So here I am, 19 years after my first crash & burn, making an effort to help others avoid the pain and malarkey that I endured. Please join Lap of Faith in helping others to build healthy self-esteems, learn to believe in themselves and live each day with purpose and confidence! When you give, you begin to live!

Below is a campaign dear to our heart: Donating a certified therapy dog to an organozation that works with Veterans daily.  If you are able to donate, please do!  If not, please share this message.

Thank you for your kindness & generosity!

- Larry and the crew at Lap of Faith

Visit LapofFaith.org