Testimonial: October 16, 2011
October 16, 2011
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
My name is PM. I am 41 years old, born in Sarnia, Ontario. My background is Greek and I grew up with Greek traditions. I grew up in an abusive home with a lot of yelling and fighting between my parents. I started to use drugs at a young age and fell in love with the feeling it left me.
I didn't have to deal my problems in life or face my parent's divorce. Between the ages of 14-40 years old my life was a blur. The only thing on my mind was to get high. Yes I had my period that I didn't use but that didn't last long. When I wasn't high I didn't know how to live my life.. I was afraid to face the world and what I brought me. At one point in my life at 25 year old I got married and had children I thought that would solve my drug problem but it didn't. I neglected to be a husband and father to my family. I started to treat my wife and children the way my parents brought me up. My marriage didn't last so at 30 yrs old my addiction to drugs and alcohol took full control of my life. I started to do crime to get my fix of drugs. Of course, sooner or later I would be thrown in jail. Between the ages of 30-40 years old I was in and out of jail. I think in the last 10 years I was out on the streets no longer than 6 months. I felt suicidal and very depressed for how my life had turned out. At this point I had caused so much pain to myself and al my family including my parents, brother, and my sister not to say my children that I haven't seen in over 10 years. How can I cause so much destruction to those whom I love. This time sitting in jail my lawyer aid to me...Peter its time to get some help! I told him many times I could do it on my own but I failed. So I considered his advice and here I am at Vitanova which they recommended me to go. The only place the court allowed me to go to was Vitanova. This place gave me a new life. I can't explain the freedom I have after being here 5 months I have face my fears and pain that I caused others and what my parents did to me. Vitanova helped me to let go of any resentments I have and to accept the things I cannot change and gave me the courage to change the things I can. In 41 years I've never been free like I am today; The love this home gave me I've never felt in a long time. The best thing is I'll always be a part of this home called Vitanova because what it gave me I have to give back for the rest of my life. Vitanova saved my life from death or the rest of my life in jail. I'm still paving my road and I'm still working on getting my children back in my life. I know even my worst day today is better than any other day I've ever had. My family is so proud of me and I'm proud of my accomplishments today. May God always bless Vitanova, the sweetest lady and Executive Director Franca Carella, all the counselors and staff and I pray Vitanova can continue to touch more lives that are suffering out there due to addictions.
Sincerely,
PM