Valerie

I spent 45 years in addiction. My parents divorced when I was a teenager and that loss of my family just broke something inside of me. We all scattered and I soon found myself on my own.

The people in my life only knew me as an addict. That’s just who and what I was. I managed to keep a roof over my head by staying with my mother. Even in my addiction we took care of each other. She was my safe place.

When my mother died very suddenly I knew that there was no one left to take care of me. I met a graduate of the program and she told me about Thistle Farms Residential. I honestly didn’t know if I could commit to two whole years, but I knew that if I went back to the drugs I would die out there. 

Now I’m a graduate! This community and all of my sisters are the most important things in my life. I love my job in our manufacturing department. It’s my dream job and I can’t wait to get here every morning. I have my own place now and when I get back there after work I feel so happy to be there and to be me. 

Today I’m 100% self-sufficient. I have no interest in going backwards because I have too much to lose and life is too good now. I’m a Thistle Farmer and a Sister for Life.