I come from a family with a long history of addiction, trauma, and mental health issues. For the first time I’ve heard someone else speaking parts of my story. I didn’t realize my childhood isn’t “normal” because addiction and trauma was my normal. I vividly remember seeing homes and families portrayed on television shows and thinking that happy healthy homes were make believe, just like scary movies and monsters. I remember being mad at god in pre-school, by first grade wondering “how could god let this be my life”? And pushing away love and empathy from my siblings and parents because it made me physically uncomfortable just to be hugged or say “I love you”… I spent time in foster care, dropped out of high school (twice)… and yet somehow I’m alive. I believe it’s only because I was blessed to have watched my father beat his addictions he’s been clean since I was 8 years old - with nearly 30 years clean today. He became a productive and amazing member of society. A good, loving, caring father and grandfather is here today because someone in the recovery community believed in him and helped him believe in himself.
I became a police officer at 28 years old. I got my bachelors degree in criminal justice at 37 years old. I don’t know how I made it when so many friends around me died from overdoses. I lost my cousin to fentanyl in 2017. But I love to be able to share my personal story with folks who are battling addiction so they know there is a light at the end of their tunnel, no matter how long the tunnel may be and how many twists and turns it takes to reach that light.
I know there is so much more to Shelley’s story as a human being and she is more than the addiction she is fighting … & there’s so much more what Law Enforcement can do to protect and help people like her. I am so hopeful and appreciative of what this podcast is bringing to the law enforcement community - a place where we MUST have these hard conversations and understand the humanity of the communities we serve.
This first episode is so powerful, it’s honestly moving and I’m so honored to hear Shelley tell her story. Thank you so much, Tom and Shelley. I can’t wait for the future episodes.
Congratulations on your sobriety Shelley. Thank you so much for being so strong and brave in sharing, & you should be proud of yourself for what you are doing to help others who are struggling in their journey.
One day at a time. ❤️
