Harmon Recovery Foundation
OUR INSPIRATION
On the night of August 26th, 1992, three close friends came to our apartment in Newport, RI to speak to me about my alcohol abuse. These three people had never done anything to hurt me. Ever. And I knew that they cared. After being asked a very simple question, “Do you think you have a drinking problem,” I immediately answered YES. From that moment forward, I have never had another drink. I am a lucky one.
As I said, I am a lucky one. What moved us to create the Harmon Recovery Foundation is simple, and our inspiration to continue its work is just as simple. We are grateful for what we have. We want to help those with less.
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Thousands of people abuse alcohol and drugs, destroying their own lives while torturing friends and loved ones. In my years of recovery, I have witnessed many miracles, but in May of 2009, I met Felicia. She stood out for many reasons but most of all for her thirst for recovery; her story moved me…She had been married to a successful attorney and was the proud mother of two beautiful children. For many years, she had used drugs recreationally but after an automobile accident, she became addicted to prescription painkillers. After a period of serious abuse, they, as she described it, completely changed her personality and as a result, and unhappy with her life, she divorced her husband and left her precious children. Subsequently, becoming addicted to crack cocaine, her life spiraled downward quickly. She lost everything. But she was never wholly defeated. She eventually chose the path to recovery, and pursued it with indescribable passion, learning, growing and helping others as she remained sober. In 2019, Felicia celebrated eleven years of sobriety. She has happily reconnected with her children, founded her own outpatient treatment center in New Orleans, and lives happily and productively. Felicia was a lucky one. Her remarkable story from crack houses to recovery motivated me to pursue a way to support treatment programs, and help those in need achieve the same fulfilment.
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In 2016, I was diagnosed with tongue cancer. I sought treatment at MD Anderson in Houston, and my journey exposed me to the hardships placed upon many families fighting similar battles. My doctors, my friends and family, and even many strangers, supported me through the ordeal. My “program” was my daily guideline, and I finished treatment with no evidence of disease six months later. Robin shows no evidence of disease for her bout with breast cancer in 2008. Once again, we are the lucky ones.
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Grateful for the gifts sobriety and health, and moved by empathy and compassion for those less fortunate, we are inspired to continue our work through the Harmon Recovery Foundation.
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However, this really isn’t MY story - this is HRF’s story. Where the foundation began is now less important than where it is going. Its success is not attributable to any one person. It is the generous supporters who share our mission. It is the people working on the front lines for organizations doing the real work. It is the individuals committed to improving their lives. It is the families cheering them on.
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You are our inspiration