Featured Client Testimonial
My story began in 2004. I graduated two years early and was 17 with a nursing degree and my high school diploma. I started working at a nursing home in Joplin and had my own home, but then I met a man. I felt like my life was on track. After we were together he introduced me to crack cocaine and the beatings that came with it. Two years later I found myself addicted to crack and lost everything. But that wasn’t the end. I left that man for my kid’s dad. He introduced me to a whole new world. I got pregnant and clean. I had my son and it was amazing, that is until my son’s father’s brother got out of prison. We then started using meth, weed, pills, and drank alcohol. I was having drug-induced seizures, was in and out of jail, and it damaged my family. I felt lost, but it still wasn’t enough to stop, I would go in and out of treatment. Two more kids later and feeling hopeless, I chose to leave him after 6 long years. I then met my first husband and 42 days after marriage he beat me to the point of putting me in the ICU. While in the ICU I recovered, and 12 days later an advocate helped me get a divorce. But once again I fell into the terrible cycle we often choose. I found my last husband and things spiraled way down. I lost my children. He never hurt me, and I felt protected, but only to find swat federal police at our door. I then lost my husband to seven years in federal prison. I then vowed to try and change, so I packed up, left everything and everyone I knew, and moved to Branson. I entered Core off and on, but after my relapses I found myself still fighting to live. I desperately wanted change. I soon got myself sober, found a home, and got my kids back after 6 years away. I also found my love for God and I cherished every minute with Him. I was forced into this crazy life, clean, with my kids, my boyfriend, and a home (one that was stable and happy) but it still didn’t stop me. I began to use and DFS showed up again and I lost my kiddos. My son, from all the trauma, had severe PTSD, autistic traits, DMDD, and anxiety so they put him in a hospital and my daughter in foster care. But a great thing happened when I met The Brook family. I found Rosie and Stan, Christian people who had a heart for recovery and a love for helping, and a year later both me and my boyfriend are both clean, stable, loved and our children will be returned in October. I couldn’t have done it without The Brook family and my church. I now have a God-filled home due to The Brook, who help keep me clean and enjoy life.
- C.R.
- C.R.
Drugs pretty much controlled my life by the time I was 17 (IV heroin/meth). For every 'have you ever' question you could think of, my answer would more than likely be 'yes, yes I have'. My addiction knew no limits and had no boundaries. It was all consuming. Every waking moment was spent on figuring out how to get my next fix. By 19, I had landed my first prison sentence. The first of 3. I disconnected from family (unless I needed something) and everyone who loved me.
In 2016, I lost my pops to a heart attack. I missed his funeral, which haunts me to this day. In a weird way, losing him helped save me. I knew he knew before, but I kept thinking 'he sees everything now'. Shortly after, I met my now fiancé. In March of 2017, with the help of God, my fiancé and his family, I started my journey in recovery. After living in the depths of addiction for 20 years, I had to change and learn everything. I had to learn how to live. I researched everything, completely dissected addiction, the brain, mindset, and positive self-talk. I learned about using dreams, trauma, and the brain. I built a support system, people that truly cared, that held me accountable. I took suggestions, stopped blaming and making excuses, worked on forgiveness, and I learned the importance of acceptance.
Unfortunately, I was still on the run from drug court. So even though I was sober, I was still stuck with a felony warrant hanging over my head. For the first 2-3 years, I moved in with my fiancé on his family farm. I hibernated there and worked on myself. The animals were my therapists. A little over a year ago, I hired an attorney and turned myself in. To my surprise, the courts saw the difference in me. The judge, attorney, po, and even the prosecuting attorney worked together for my best interest. They decided to put me on regular probation and send me to The Brook Wellness Center. I did not spend one second in jail! Wow, talk about a blessing!!
The Brook is one of the best things that has happened to me. It has taught me so much about myself, connection, God, and trust. I have made not only friends there, but family. My favorite class is Rosie's class, HAVE WHAT YOU SAY. Still this day, and every day I'm here on this earth, I will use what I've learned from her in that class. It has moved mountains in my life. It has taught me how very important not only my words are, but my thoughts as well. I apply it to everything I do. My one-on-ones with Richard helped me recognize things I didn't know needed addressed and taught me that It was ok to cry...more than ok, even necessary.
Since turning myself in, I have graduated The Brook, I got my smile back, and I got a new place! For the first time in 20 years, I got a job, and then a month later, I got promoted. I am a 2-time felon. I used those felonies as an excuse too many times to count. Those excuses were lies. When we start showing up, doing the right things, and praying with absolute faith.... Nothing can stop us. Not our past, not felons, nothing. The promises are real, and God will start opening doors.
My relationship with my family is the strongest it's ever been. I am truly happy and living a life I never thought possible.
I heard someone say one time... 'my worst day sober, is still better than my best day high ever was.' Today, I can finally say that I relate to that so much. I am high on life, even when I have bad moments... My smile never fades. Today, it is a decision for me. One I will continue making. I just look up, smile and say thank you!
- S.B.
In 2016, I lost my pops to a heart attack. I missed his funeral, which haunts me to this day. In a weird way, losing him helped save me. I knew he knew before, but I kept thinking 'he sees everything now'. Shortly after, I met my now fiancé. In March of 2017, with the help of God, my fiancé and his family, I started my journey in recovery. After living in the depths of addiction for 20 years, I had to change and learn everything. I had to learn how to live. I researched everything, completely dissected addiction, the brain, mindset, and positive self-talk. I learned about using dreams, trauma, and the brain. I built a support system, people that truly cared, that held me accountable. I took suggestions, stopped blaming and making excuses, worked on forgiveness, and I learned the importance of acceptance.
Unfortunately, I was still on the run from drug court. So even though I was sober, I was still stuck with a felony warrant hanging over my head. For the first 2-3 years, I moved in with my fiancé on his family farm. I hibernated there and worked on myself. The animals were my therapists. A little over a year ago, I hired an attorney and turned myself in. To my surprise, the courts saw the difference in me. The judge, attorney, po, and even the prosecuting attorney worked together for my best interest. They decided to put me on regular probation and send me to The Brook Wellness Center. I did not spend one second in jail! Wow, talk about a blessing!!
The Brook is one of the best things that has happened to me. It has taught me so much about myself, connection, God, and trust. I have made not only friends there, but family. My favorite class is Rosie's class, HAVE WHAT YOU SAY. Still this day, and every day I'm here on this earth, I will use what I've learned from her in that class. It has moved mountains in my life. It has taught me how very important not only my words are, but my thoughts as well. I apply it to everything I do. My one-on-ones with Richard helped me recognize things I didn't know needed addressed and taught me that It was ok to cry...more than ok, even necessary.
Since turning myself in, I have graduated The Brook, I got my smile back, and I got a new place! For the first time in 20 years, I got a job, and then a month later, I got promoted. I am a 2-time felon. I used those felonies as an excuse too many times to count. Those excuses were lies. When we start showing up, doing the right things, and praying with absolute faith.... Nothing can stop us. Not our past, not felons, nothing. The promises are real, and God will start opening doors.
My relationship with my family is the strongest it's ever been. I am truly happy and living a life I never thought possible.
I heard someone say one time... 'my worst day sober, is still better than my best day high ever was.' Today, I can finally say that I relate to that so much. I am high on life, even when I have bad moments... My smile never fades. Today, it is a decision for me. One I will continue making. I just look up, smile and say thank you!
- S.B.