There was a guy in my IOP class who sat next to me, and we became friends. He was really funny, and we connected about our hilarious drunk experiences even though we were there to get sober. He ended up getting kicked out of the class for not passing the urine test one morning. He argued that the test was not accurate. A year or two later, he died of our disease.

There are several people from Loudon County High school who have also died as a result of invisible illnesses. Their inner struggle is one I understand. This fact and my stroke are what led me to recover out loud. Some people have a longer, harder fight while others never recover. Some struggle to believe in themselves, while others have no one who believes in them.

Seeing others relapse is heartbreaking but also reminds me of why I stay. I can’t save anyone, but I can control my praise and support. The best thing I can do for others is choose life each day and stay sober myself to be an example that recovery is possible.

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