“When I was growing up, I didn’t know God. But I didn’t realize I was living for the devil, either. “I’ve been through a lot of things in my life. I’ve walked down a lot of dark roads. I was strung out on alcohol and … Continue readingHe chooses good over evil, preaches ‘don’t give up’
“I lost my husband. He died from drinking too much. I couldn’t keep him from drinking. We were married for about 10 years. “Since he passed away, I don’t have any family here. So I’m kind of by myself again. It’s lonely. Real lonely. “It’s … Continue readingHomeless woman: ’embarrassing to ask for money’
“I paint. I garden. I work for a couple of elderly ladies down the street. Whatever they need done, I go do. The other day, I put a new screen in their door. “I just try to stay busy. Like they say, idle time is … Continue readingShe stays busy to help avoid a relapse
“I started going to NA and AA about 13 years ago, trying to get clean and sober. About five years ago, I finally did get sobered up. “I took the 12 steps. Did the whole process. That was very cool. I think everybody ought to … Continue reading12-step program ‘coolest thing I’ve ever done’
“About 10 years ago I was running from myself, and I pulled over and went to sleep in my truck. A cop woke me up, and I refused to get out of my truck. They threw a flash-bang in there, and when I picked it … Continue readingEven missing a hand, ‘there’s nothing I can’t do’
“I was young and foolish and did what a lot of people do. Then it kind of got out of hand, and I realized that I needed to make some major changes. “I got involved in a recovery program. I was fortunate to have a … Continue readingSubstance abuse counselor leads by example
“I’m part of a faith-based, drug and alcohol recovery program. I was an alcoholic for over 35 years. I thought I was going to die with a bottle of whiskey in my hand. Through our center and what I was taught there and what I … Continue reading‘I thought I’d die with a bottle of whiskey in my hand’
“My babies are 34 and 27. My son had little bumps along the way, but he’s been sober for over three years now. “It was tough. I was always so afraid for him, scared that I was going to get that phone call that he … Continue readingBumps in the road behind her son now
“I’ve had all sorts of jobs and lived all over the country. The last five years before I came here, I went around to truck stops and polished trucks. I could polish four wheels and make $30. “Truck stops usually have regular polishers, though, and … Continue readingTruck polishing work tends to get political