Reagan Wilkins
"Mom! Micalah won't wake up!"
My son found his sister unresponsive one morning, and he pounded on my bedroom door frantically screaming those words. So began my journey as the mother of a fentanyl addict. I had no idea she was even using drugs, let alone that she had become addicted to a substance at least 50 times stronger than heroin.
The only thing I "knew" about drug rehabilitation treatment up to that point was that it takes 30 days for an addict to achieve recovery. Since you're on this site, you likely already know that's a myth of epic proportions - right up there with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Imagine my shock as a two-and-a-half-year treatment slog unfolded. Even after she decided to seek help (which took no small amount of convincing) she continued to use. My heart shattered with every relapse, overdose and sleepless night she spent on the streets.
My daughter sought treatment at more than 10 treatment facilities across the country during her journey and she lived in six different sober living homes. Some of her providers were compassionate and dedicated professionals determined to see her succeed. Others were unscrupulous. Some got her high so she could remain in their facility and keep the insurance dollars flowing. Or they packed far too many people into dilapidated homes and did not exercise appropriate oversight, compromising safety, security and sobriety for all. The things that occurred in those homes still haunt her.
While I was fighting for my daughter's life, my mother lost hers unexpectedly. My mother, affectionately called JerryLou, was a veteran. Toward the end of her life we spent a lot of time at the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital which was filled with people who lacked stable housing and any sort of family or community support. These are people whom American society claims to revere. I remember thinking that there just has to be a way to end the epidemics of homelessness and loneliness that they face, but I had no idea where to start or what to do.
It's easy to find safe and secure housing when you have resources. It's close to impossible if you do not. Inspired by my mother and my daughter, I started JerryLou's Place to provide safe and affordable housing to those who need it. When you think of "affordable" housing, you might first think of homes like those sober living homes my daughter lived in. But, our mission is to enable those with fewer resources to live in comfort and with dignity. Our homes are shared living spaces that are clean, comfortable, fully-furnished with utilities included, and free from drugs and alcohol. We also believe in peer support, community and plain old fun - we socialize together, celebrate together, volunteer together, have recognition events, game nights and outings.
Today, my daughter is sober and taking her recovery one day at a time. We work together to bring our mission to life for our residents, and I am grateful everyday to have her by my side.