Hello Port 45 Family and Friends,
In my last blog I shared my experience of early recovery and my 10-year celebration. This has led me to reflect on some of the experiences that I have had in recovery that are not so happy. I have spoken several times about my sister Sam that I lost to her addiction. But I have another sister, Rhonda, who is very much a part of my life today.
The relationship that I have with her today was not feasible 10 years ago. You see not only had I done damage due to my addiction, but my sister is an EMT. After decades of saving addicts had become calloused and cold as a result of her job. I think that it is easy for those that work in healthcare to have this happen. There has to be a certain amount of separation from feelings when trying to save someone’s life. But losing empathy when you are working in a helping field can be detrimental to those you are supposed to be serving.
I think Rhonda was just discouraged, sad and angry at addicts because of the pain that she had experienced with her siblings and her job. Several years into my recovery I started to notice a change in her. The gift my recovery gave her was hope.
My job often overlaps with my sisters’ job today. I have had multiple clients over the years tell me of how my sister told them my story after she revived them from an overdose. How she was the first EMT to treat them with kindness and compassion. My sister will hand my card to an addict or family member and tell them there is hope.
As our relationship has improved my sister is doing her best to guide someone else’s sister, brother, daughter, or son onto the path of recovery. I am proud of how she has changed and grown and how she has found value in each human life that she has held in her hands.
About Us:
Port 45 Recovery has convenient locations in both southern Columbus and Portsmouth. Reach out to them for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Columbus office (614) 826-9995 | Portsmouth office (740) 529-7356
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