I was in active addiction and had hit one of the lowest points in my life. While I was incarcerated, I lost my mother. She was my very best friend and the only person who truly supported me. Her passing left me feeling completely alone and without direction. I had already tried several paths to recovery, including detox programs, adult drug court, RSAT, Oxford Houses, 5 other rehabs and MAT programs, but none of them led to lasting change. After so many setbacks, I knew I needed something different. Something that could offer me a real chance at healing. I made the decision to leave my hometown and parole out to Seed Sower. I went from sleeping on rail road tracks, walking around barefoot because I traded my shoes for a fix, to having a beautiful life. But it is a long process. When I first arrived at Seed Sower, I had no contact with my daughter. Now, she lives with me full-time. That alone is a miracle I never thought possible. Seed Sower taught me self-discipline, accountability, and how to show up for myself and for others. Today, I have my own trailer and two cars, both in my name. I opened a bank account, and for the first time in my life, I not only have savings, but my daughter also has a college fund. These may sound like everyday things to some people, but for me, they represent freedom, stability, and growth. Seed Sower didn’t just help me change my life. It gave me a brand new one. I’ve become someone who is reliable and responsible. I work full-time, I don’t call off, and I take pride in being consistent. I finally feel like the woman and the mother I was always meant to be. WHAT IS LIFE LIKE NOW? Today, I am a Peer Recovery Coach for Seed Sower at the Recovery Community Organization (RCO) in Beckley, and I’m just a couple weeks away from taking the state exam to become officially certified. Having been through the same struggles as the women I work with, I bring a first-hand perspective to my role. I’ve literally slept in the same beds, done the same chores, and written the same learning experiences as they have. This connection allows me to relate to them on a deeper level than someone without that lived experience could. I understand their pain, frustration, and the fears they may not voice, because I’ve been there myself. At the same time, my experiences give me a unique insight into the tricks and tactics that people in recovery sometimes use to avoid facing their issues. I’ve used those same excuses and avoidance behaviors, so I can spot them and help the women I work with overcome them. My approach is rooted in empathy, but it’s also grounded in reality and accountability. WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS ABOUT YOUR WORK? One of the best things about my work at Seed Sower is that I get to serve alongside the same people who helped me achieve sobriety. I’m able to see this program come full circle, from the perspective of someone who has been through it and now has the privilege of giving back. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching the women who come through the doors, so broken and unsure, slowly regain their sense of self. I get to witness that sparkle of life coming back into their eyes, the flicker of hope that sobriety brings. It’s a transformation I know intimately, and it’s truly humbling to be a part of that process. ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? Another thing, I deeply appreciate is that Jays, our executive director, saw me as worthy enough to take a position working with these women. It means the world to me because, in my own recovery, I’ve experienced firsthand how much the staff matters. If it weren’t for the staff at both of the houses, I honestly don’t know if I’d be where I am today. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me helped shape who I’ve become, and now I get to pass that same support and belief on to the women I work with. I will never be able to say thank you enough. As a said earlier, I went from sleeping on rail road tracks, walking around barefoot because I traded my shoes for a fix, to having a life as beautiful as this.