The Healing Place, 1020 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202,502-585-4848

Sherry and Daughter NieceySherry's Story

My life might be much different today if it hadn't been for the cunning, baffling and powerful nature of the disease of alcoholism. Even as a child before ever taking a drink, I felt like the black sheep of the family. Even though I was the one who was athletic and made good grades in school, I always felt as if I did not belong. I just wanted to live well and enjoy myself.

I experimented with alcohol in high school but did not know that I was an alcoholic and had very few consequences at that time. In fact, I was awarded All-American Cheerleader at U of L Summer Camp and given a Cheerleading Scholarship to KSU. However, because of alcoholism I was unable to honor that scholarship or keep a later job at Ford, either of which could have been my salvation. I was unable to be honest with myself or others, much less conform to structure or keep commitments, including my commitment to my daughter, Niecey, whom I often abandoned during my addiction. Instead of being a responsible Mother, Employee, Daughter, Sister, Spouse or Friend, it took everything I had to support my addiction. I wrote bad checks in multiple counties, which led to multiple arrests. So at the age of 24 I was homeless and jobless. I lost custody of my child and was ultimately incarcerated.

In October of 1998 in an act of God's grace, I was sent to The Healing Place for Women by my probation officer. It was then that I started my journey of recovery. I was educated about my illness, and I understood that when I ingest a mood altering substance, it begins the phenomenon of craving, which takes away my ability to make good choices. I can no longer predict how much I will use, who I will use with, and where I will end up.

I have been sober for 5 years. During that time I have received sole custody of my daughter, graduated from Business College with honors, bought my very own home and become a productive member of society. Best of all I keep my commitments today so that I can be a responsible Mother, Employee, Daughter, Sister, Spouse and Friend.