I was raised in a rural County in the mountains of North Carolina by an addict and alcoholic. It was a struggle growing up. I wanted to become a nurse like my grandmother wanted me to so I became an EMT at 16, got my GED, and went to nursing school. I found that was not my calling. I began working with the rape crisis center in Johnson City TN. There I did the Rape kits and became an advocate. I loved working and helping people. I found that I loved working with people with addiction. I wanted to learn everything that I could about addiction and I wanted to help my Mother the most. I went back to school and became a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. I had found my calling, my passion, my path that God had led me to. I wanted to change the world one person at a time. I wanted to instill hope in people that had none.
I have done many things in my career. I have started up programs, ran programs as the clinical director, and in other capacities. I developed a MAT program, the First in NC for the Jail system in Rutherford County with the help of community agencies. This program continues to thrive. It helps people that have an addiction to Opioids. I have worked with Legislatures to change or implement laws like the Stop Act. I have worked with the Governor on committees to help make changes to the Opioid epidemic.
I now have found a place where I can use all my talents and help people grow in their recovery. I truly believe that I would work myself out of a job if I could stop addiction. I believe that it is not about the glass being ½ full or ½ empty, it's that we have a glass and we can put anything we want into it; or not let anything in that is negative. Don't stop before the miracle happens.
In my free time, I enjoy being with my family and all of my fur babies.
