I am giving back.

I was an ordinary person. Growing up I was well behaved, did well in school and went to college. At the age of 16, I started drinking. Both of my parents were alcoholics and I thought my drinking heavily was normal. Over time, my drinking became worse and uncontrollable.

Later, I married and had two little girls. My husband and I owned a bar in a restaurant. My husband did not want me to stop drinking. I became despondent and didn't know how to respond. It was the presence of my young children, who were at the ages of 5 and 7, that I was able to see myself through their eyes. I saw my parents in their eyes. I realized that I had become my parents and could not pass on their faults to another generation. It was at this time that I decided to call for help.

I decided that I wanted to live a good life and be the best "me" and the best mother that I could be. I worked hard at my recovery.

Now my children are ages 40 and 42 and I have two grandchildren. Today they have my love and respect and I have theirs. I became the CEO of the Recovery Center of Monticello, overseeing prevention, treatment and recovery as well as a staff of one hundred employees. I have also served on local, regional, state and national boards, served as the Chair of the Governor's Advisory Council and was awarded the 2007 Marty Mann Award which was a tearful moment. I am now celebrating over 35 years in recovery from alcoholism and I am enjoying retirement.

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