Help me live out my purpose, as I run a Marathon distance every weekend for a year to help others recover from addiction, and end the stigma

This is a very big deal for me. I have been preparing for this effort for a long time while not even really knowing it. After being hit by a car on my bike a little over two years ago, and basically staring death in the face for what felt like the millionth time in my life, I walk away virtually unscathed. And with the events of the last few years and so much loss in our society I have realized it would basically be a crime for me to continue reaping the benefits of a beautiful life on this planet, that has been granted to me through grace and grace alone.

I have spoken with a few of my amazing friends about my past but I still hide it from many. Even those who know I have a past of addiction likely do not realize the extent. That is because up until now I have been unwilling to disclose the embarrassing and painful events from my past.

But having met a friend recently who is working with the Herren project. I know it is time. I want to show those who know me that it is possible for someone to rise out of the deepest depths of despair to a new life that is productive and meaningful. I may not feel I deserve it many days, but the reality is that I am living it, and I am so blessed. I won't bore you with my 10 plus years of heroin addition but I will let you in on a few things.

I am a runner now and one of my greatest goals is to run Boston, New York, and Chicago marathons. This may seem like a normal goal for many runners but I want to do it as redemption, as I found myself in all three of the city broken, beaten, or worse (use your imagination) as a result of my decisions, fueled by addiction. I can tell you when I sat in these places I felt nothing. I didn't know how to die and I didn't know how to live. When a walk by someone today who is suffering I can see that feeling in their eyes. They are completely empty. Wanting to change may not even be understandable to them at that point. It can get to a place where a different life feels impossible. In fact, it's not even a thought.

My personal story involves being saved by the intervention of the authorities and my involuntary removal from society. And after a few times in correctional institutions, I got released to a program and ultimately began to see that maybe there was another way of living, but I assure you I was incapable of coming to this conclusion on my own and that is why I think it is imperative to try and get access to programs to those who need help.

During my addition my family suffered, my friends suffered, society suffered.

Today I am a good daughter, I call my elderly mother every night and she goes to bed knowing her daughter is safe. I am an auntie and godmother to my beautiful goddaughter Emily. I am a wife, an employee, a student, and, I hope, a good friend to many.

Again I am not sharing my past as something I am proud of and this does not even really scratch the surface of the many events of those years, but my hope is to paint a picture that with a little help so many can find recovery and there loved ones can have them back. Maybe even society will benefit as a whole!

Join me in supporting real change. Let’s support good in the world and make a difference. Help us for HERREN PROJECT

Just a small donation will go a long way to helping me meet my goal for HERREN PROJECT