Recovery celebrated with rally

| October 1, 2013

COSHOCTON – At least 31 people lined up at Himebaugh Park and were recognized for their weeks, months and years of recovery during a rally held Sept. 26.

“They are proof that recovery really does work,” said John Turley.

Turley was one of several individuals who shared their stories during an event sponsored by Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices, Coshocton Counseling Center and Thompkins Child & Adolescent Services to celebrate recovery of mental health and addiction issues.

“I’m a recovering alcoholic,” he said. “Three years ago I would not have stood up here and said that because I was ashamed of the person I’d become.”

Turley fought alcoholism for 20 years, but on July 12, 2010 he decided it was time for a change.

“I ended up in the hospital with liver failure after years of hard drinking,” he said.

His future looked bleak, but the social worker at the hospital put him back on the right track.

Part of Turley’s journey to get his life back included community service and volunteer work at Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices.

“With their help, support and inspiration I went back to college and got my degree,” he said.

Turley got his associates degree in human services in May and is continuing on to get his bachelor’s degree.

“Recovery works,” he said. “There are a lot of miracles in this crowd tonight.”

[email protected]

 

Category: Clubs & Organizations, Multimedia, Photo Galleries

About the Author ()

I started my journalism career in 2002 with a daily newspaper chain. After various stops with them, I am happy to be back home! I graduated from Coshocton High School in 1998 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2002 from Walsh University. I also earned several awards while working for daily papers, including being honored by Coshocton County’s veterans for the stories I wrote about them. I am honored and ready to once again shine a positive light on Coshocton County. I also am the proud mother of a little girl named Sophia!

Comments are closed.