Our Founders Story
When I was born, I was blue. Oxygen had been cut off to me for several moments. Immediately upon entering this earth I was struggling to survive. Within the first year, I was in the hospital three times with pneumonia, and even more for seizures. As early as preschool the talks began. Statements like, “He's out of control you need to get this boy put on medicine”, became commonplace quickly. Until, I was seven years old when I received my first prescription of amphetamines. Ritalin, they called it. Nobody knew there was a trauma at age six which likely led to that behavior which they were now trying to control with powerful narcotics. Never the less it was that prescription which left me crippled by the time I flipped my dad’s truck when at age 17. Of course, this led to my first prescription of opiates. It’s standard treatment for osteoarthritis. The truck wreck x-rays revealed at age 17 I had the spine of a 50yr old. Still, I say crippled not because of this diagnosis, but instead because my brain was already chemically dependent on stimulants. The doctors had unwittingly created an addict by soaking my brain in amphetamines for a decade, and then sprinkling on a little opiate on top for the pain, which I’m so obviously in.
I spent my entire life after that until about 9 years ago, trying to just barely not overdose, and doing whatever it took to achieve that. My transgressions against society are great, and I am grateful that the prices I have paid for them have been high. Even more grateful for the prices that could never be high enough. February 12th, 2015 my son answered the door and happily led law enforcement officials to his daddy in the bathroom. I taught him police help people so, why would he not. That was the day my life started down the path which led me here with all of you.
Today, I am grateful to be his father. Today, I am grateful to also be "Daddy" to three amazing young women, and husband to powerhouse of a woman. Today, I am grateful to be an addict nearly nine years clean from meth and opiates. Today, I am honored to have been allowed an opportunity to serve the community, which I spent so long harming as an ex-drug trafficker. Today, I stand enlightened by the over 3 years I have spent in the darkness of institutions throughout my life. Today I am inspired by all the traumatic life events which My Christian GOD has guided me through in order to forge a force that intends to change this world on several levels. After all, without the darkness you cannot appreciate the light.
Every horrible story I have lived, is one which millions of other people share, Sadly, in most cases, EVERY one of those people believe deeply that they are alone in this struggle, at least I know I sure did. In recovery, It is the stories of others and service to others that keep you clean. They keep you growing and moving forward in life.
For far too long addicts have been discarded as less than good enough. I need to change that norm. I want to assault the rate of recidivism and relapse in this country. Why not, I have beaten most of them myself. When you consider my disabilities, it has been no small feet. If I can then, so too can EVERY addict out there, given the right support and tools, at the right time. The AA big book taught me, “nothing happens in God's world by mistake”.
The opportunities which have been afforded to me recently have not just changed my life, but will continue on as I move forward to help change the lives of countless others. Today let your flaws be badges in the story you live. Those badges of honor are the power you should use to help others.
