I remember being so inspired by every person and story. I was blessed to have written in the very same publication that has helped save my life. Now I get to share my story with you about what this program has done. It’s offered me hope, strength, courage and the support system I now have today.
I have been to prison a total of three times. Each time knowing that I did not want to be an addict anymore but not knowing how to change. One of the core ideas at New Freedom is to focus on mind, body and spirit. I had the right idea in a way, I just didn’t know it. Now looking back on how my life and how my story unfolded, I see that it is nothing short of a true blessing. God had been doing for me what I could not do for myself.
On each of my prison experiences I took something from it. Although it took longer for me to find redemption than necessary, I am grateful I got that many chances because some people don’t get another. When I went to prison the first time, I was convinced I was never going to use again. I would do whatever it took to get there. I had no idea what it would take, I worked on my body and my outward appearance. I used meth since I was 13 and figured it was due to me being self-conscious about my weight. So, it was on! I had a year and I was going to use every bit of it to work out and get my body right. That is exactly what I did. Crash diets, extensive working out and strictly focusing on my body image was how I did my time.
I even moved to a different state thinking I had out ran my substance issues. Not less than two years later, I was back in Arizona, strung out on drugs, then back in Perryville. I was sentenced to another year for drug charges. On my second sentence I was again convinced I would stay sober and find happiness. This time, I decided I was going to think my way out of addiction, plus get back into exercise. I studied hard and received my GED. The second chance program was new in prison and I took that. I left Perryville with a GED and a job.
Not less than six months after being released, I was high again, back in Perryville with a four year sentence and a four year probation tail. This time I was really going figure it out and I was gifted with plenty of time to do it. Since I already had my GED, I enrolled in Rio Salado for my associate in work force reentry. I started to work out and eat right but kept it balanced. Mainly, I found God and started to do a lot of soul searching and working on the inside. I read all the self-help books I could read. I read the bible from front to back. I took and later taught anger management, parenting, domestic violence and The Way Out (a 12step program). My belief in a Higher Power encouraged me to help others.
One of the blessings given to me through helping others was finding New Freedom. I began lessons, noticing specifically how they taught mind, body, and spirit. I made my decision to release to New Freedom and I haven’t looked back since. I tried every way possible to not have to look within myself to find what God’s purpose had been for me all along, to help His people. I earned my Peer Support Specialist Certification and I now have an amazing opportunity to help others. After graduation and working in behavioral health,I chose to come back and work at New Freedom. I always considered it home, and I want to give back what was given to me.
