Hello, what an honor to stand before you today and say that I'm still here through the Grace of God!

I've been in and out of my addiction since 1986. But today I want to talk about my last run, which was in 2003. I was living in Massachusetts and one of my many nights out I was high on crack and alcohol. I'd come home and walked into the building that I lived in and started up the stairs. Somehow I missed a step and fell back down the stairs. When I got down to the bottom I landed in a corner (sort of in a head stand position) but my legs were not in the air. They came over my neck. I got up but it took me a moment to get out of that position. I continued on with my partying.

Days later, I woke up one morning and got out of bed and started to the bathroom and fell. I got up and then fell again (there was nothing in my way), so when I took my next step I watched my feet and what was happening was my left foot was like a flipper. I was so knee deep into my addiction that it was just easier for me to call the dope man than it was for me to call a doctor, so I got used to falling so that I could stay in this disease. I ran until there was nothing left. I needed a program, my health was failing me fast, yet I still had not seen a doctor.

Sojourner House embraced me and my daughter and we entered their 9 month treatment program. I got the help I needed for my addiction. I completed the program. Sojourner House staff had spoken with me about a place that they called "Sisters Place" and they told me that their program would give me help as well.

Sisters Place accepted me and my daughter. They gave us a home. It had everything in it but me and my daughter, the table to eat at and a bed to get on my knees and pray at.

Since I've been here as of September 27, 2004 I've had two operations on my spine and I'm still in need of a knee replacement. I've been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease, which is a direct result of my addiction. During my healing times being confined to my home for a period of time, walking with walkers and canes, going to physical therapy and learning how to walk again . . .

something was happening on the inside of me.

The doctors have done what they could do, therapy that they could, and now I needed to do what I could. And what I mean by that is that . . .

I'm taking back what's mine, my life.

I don't walk the way I used to but I walk.

Even though I speak of sadness, I'm actually celebrating today! My daughter and I have moved into our own apartment this past Wednesday, and on the 10th of this month I will be celebrating a year of employment in a field of work that I've been in for over 10 years. I recently bought a vehicle that helps me with my illness.

My story today is that . . .

I'm my own friend today!

I have friends but . . .

I am my BEST friend!

Sisters Place, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you've given to me and my daughter and I want to say to each and every one of you today that . . .

it's nice to know that all God's angels aren't in heaven.

Mom, her daughter, and celebrating friends

* The names have been omitted to ensure anonymity.

You can read the 2006 "Mom's story" here.

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