UNITE to Face Addiction
I have had so many unforgettable moments on my journey of recovery. There have been a lot of people that have come into my life on this journey that have just enriched my perspective and approach in the way I go about my one-day-at-a-time. A lot of very hard-working and dedicated people passionately spend tireless hours to create change and it is working!
I just spent weekend of 10/3 – 10/4 in Washington, DC reaffirming how powerful and beautiful my recovery is and that I am not alone. The energy was contagious. There were people from all over the world there to support each other. Thousands of people gathered and took moments in the present. I found myself reminiscing about the steps I have taken and over the past 7 years and some change. I have seen more miracles than I could ever dream of in a lifetime, watching people grow and change, seeing the evidence that recovery works day after day if you truly want it. Blessed can’t even described what these emotions feel like.
Families spoke about losing loved ones and how they are supporting the cause so other parents don’t have to go through the same thing. Selfless souls took some time to travel and make a stand for something they truly believe in. As I left I had a sense that we had accomplished the beginning of something huge. We united a crowd that has the resiliency, stubbornness, creativity and one-track minds to help bring the truth to light! Before it was all about figuring out a way to literally destroy ourselves. Now, as a whole, we are taking all that energy to not only build ourselves up, but to share it with everyone around us. Along side all those affected by this disease.
I met one of the coolest people over this weekend. She recently got back from a yearlong treatment program in Canada. Over 14 months sober and working really hard every day to create the love and support she needs in recovery. From the moment I got to DC she took me under her wing and introduced me to the recovery community. She made me feel at home. She showed me around and had me walking more than I have walked in quite some time and I needed that. We discussed the cool things we experience in sobriety and the tough things that come with it. There were conversations around the hardships we both go through in our personal lives. I felt like I had known her for a long time. I am so grateful for her support and her hospitality, being someone visiting from out of town.
I met up with my YPR family and it was a big reunion. Mike and Jimmy were so kind to let me stay with them. I had so much fun and a strong appreciation for all the love that was demonstrated. Everyone gathered to carry a message of hope. There is more gratitude among this bunch then I can seriously write about on this blog. Whenever we get together and share there is a deep understanding of purpose and being a part of something incredible.
I feel so blessed to be a Lead Advocate for Heroes In Recovery. Jaime and I got to share a room together and talk about the beauty of all that is transpiring in the recovery world. Every time we get together and spend time finding new ways to collaborate and bring people together to help break the stigma is such a beautiful thing. We help make a difference by showing people how important it is to share their stories of recovery as the heroic triumph it is. Being able to write this blog for almost 2 years now has been such a gift. Sharing all that comes with my day-to-day journey.
Thank you for continuing to read my blog. Also, please check out my other fellow advocates’ blogs! Heroes in Recovery is a movement designed to break the stigma associated with addiction and mental health. We do many things to support this mission including asking people to share their recovery stories with us. We also host various events around the country including our Heroes in Recovery 6k run/walk series. These focus on working with communities to raise awareness and break the stigma and motivating others to get involved.
You can visit Heroes in Recovery or reach out to me on Facebook and I can personally help you get started.
Godspeed,
Hillary