- Friends & Family
Submitted by: Susanne Johnson
Joan participated in the Heroes in Recovery 6K in Memphis because of her love of walking and her desire to support people who struggle with with addiction and mental health issues. Her best friend is on the board of Grace House, which is the beneficiary of this year’s run and since her friend was going to support her organization, Joan decided to pick up the opportunity and walk the 6K. It is only the second time in her life that she attended a run/walk. This is her first 6K, as her last run/walk was a 5K event.
Joan’s friend who works for Grace House has been in recovery for many years, and so are several other people that Joan knows. She recognizes how widespread the disease is and that it did not stop to grab hold of people of any age, heritage or education.
Joan has been living in Memphis for 28 years now and has not visited Grace House or any other facility which helps people to recover yet, but she plans to do so soon. She considers herself very lucky that she has not been touched by the disease herself, but feels for all who are. She is happy that her attendance at the event might help those who struggle by raising awareness and that she can do her part to erase the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental health problems.