Assault and Rape
Seven years ago today I was raped by a man I barely knew. He held a knife to my neck and made my significant other watch, two things that I usually never share because they are so hard to say.…
Read more
Destigmatize Addiction
Last week was Opioid Awareness Day on the Hill in Minnesota. There is so much good going on to combat addiction. I’m thankful for my fellow advocates who show up and do their part in ending this epidemic. Stopping addiction…
Read more
BACK IN MINNESOTA
Avery called and said they got tickets back to Minneapolis and gave me the flight plans. I was so excited!!!! I called the police to let them know Brett* (not his real name) would be traveling to MN, where there…
Read more
NOT FITTING IN
I was never really in just one friend group, I had my feelers all over the place. I think it was because if I spread myself between a bunch of people I could do things a lot and not be…
Read more
COLLEGE IN CO
Partying in Boulder started way before I actually got out there. I had a friend who had spent time out there who coincidentally became one of my best party friends. I’d heard stories about how awesome it was and I…
Read more
NO LOOKING BACK
I got her to the Emergency Room at the hospital nearest to the treatment center in suburban Chicago and she was admitted. It took a few hours and then she was admitted to the detox center across the parking lot.…
Read more
A SECOND TREATMENT CENTER
In the following days I went to Avery's apartment to help her clean up. I was not prepared for what I saw. There was blood everywhere. On the walls, furniture, floor, bedding, pictures on the wall. Broken items, knives, holes…
Read more
READY FOR RECOVERY
In January 2012, Avery came to us and said she was ready to go to a recovery center. We dropped her off at a small, local recovery center for 30 days. I was so relieved. I knew she would be safe…
Read more
NO MODERATION
Another memory I have from high school is sitting in my car at lunch with four other ladies. We each had a bowl packed and we started the stoner circle. Literally, take a hit, pass the bowl, get the next…
Read more