I came to Soldier On at a very difficult point in my life. I was struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction, which had contributed to my becoming homeless and unable to maintain employment. I had reached a point where I needed help rebuilding my life and finding stability. Soldier On gave me an opportunity to begin doing that.

Soldier On helped lead me back into recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. I had been in and out of Alcoholics Anonymous since 1987, but through Soldier On I was finally able to put together a substantial amount of time in recovery. They provided me with counseling and one-on-one mentoring, but just as importantly, they helped rebuild my self-esteem. They gave me hope and helped me believe that I really could change my life.

During my time with Soldier On, many of the things I once hoped for began to become reality. I was able to return to photography, something that has always meant a great deal to me. Soldier On also employed me, and I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant with UMass Medical School in Worcester on a study involving veterans with moderate to severe PTSD in an animal setting. Those experiences helped me rediscover a sense of purpose and showed me that my past did not have to define my future.

Today, I have moved to South Carolina to be with my best friend and to be closer to my brother, who lives in Charleston. At this point in my life, my goal is to continue enjoying my recovery, my photography, my family and friendships, and the life I have been able to rebuild. I am very happy with where I am today.

I am most grateful that, after so many years, I have been given a life worth living again. For a long time, when I was trapped in alcoholism and addiction, I wasn’t really living—I was just existing, and barely that. Soldier On helped me discover that my life could be different.

I am also incredibly grateful for the wonderful friends I made at Soldier On. I met people who genuinely cared about me, believed in me, and stood by me when I needed it most. I will never forget them or what they did for me. They helped give me hope, purpose, and a chance to build the life I have today.