At the age of 13, I started taking pain pills every day and drinking occasionally. I maintained on the pain pills for eight years before I became a non-functioning addict. I got pregnant at 17 years old with my oldest daughter and then got pregnant again at age 20, again with a daughter. At age 21, I lost both of my girls due to my addiction and my poor choices. When I lost them, I really did not know how to fight to get them back. Getting clean and sober was not an option for me then, in my mind. I them added methamphetamine to my pill addiction. I spiraled down quickly. I got down to 98 pounds within a month of beginning to use methamphetamine. I lost everyone and everything that I loved.
I went on to have two more children, one at age 24 and the other at age 25. I could not stop doing drugs them either so I lost those two girls as well. I had gotten to the point where I could not get out of bed in the morning without taking at least ten pills. I had reached the point where I could not function without pain pills physically or mentally. At age 26, I got pregnant with my youngest daughter. I was able to keep her, but my addiction was extremely bad.
At age 27, my judge sent me to get help at a rehab in Bowling Green, Kentucky. I left that rehab and continued to get high. I was hiding from the police and overdosed at a friend’s house. In that moment, I prayed to God. I asked Him to save my life and told Him I would live for him. He did and I came through that.
I went to jail for the 10th time that year and was introduced to Sue Cline from the Hope Center for Women. I got an application, applied, and was accepted. I am a graduate now, but I still live at the Hope Center for Women. God’s grace and mercy saved my life, my kids’ lives, and has changed me tremendously. I now have my youngest daughter with me and I get to talk to and see my other kids. I have a full-time job and just purchased my first car.
"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
- Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT -
