I am forever grateful for my involvement in Parents Support Parents. Through the years, it has granted me many gifts – primarily, the gift of forever friendships with those who understand the pain of having a child with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), as well as the gifts of compassion and empathy for others. I’m also grateful for forming friendships with those in recovery while listening to them and learning from their stories of hope. Advocating for those still struggling has been a mission of mine while gaining insight into their sensitive souls. Also, the magnitude of what it takes to overcome what they face is something that has been an amazing gift. I have learned from others how to walk alongside my son in his recovery instead of ‘trying’ to lead him to the path of recovery.
The most significant impact on my soul has been mothers and fathers in our group who have lost their children. They had to face what so many of us with a child with Substance Use Disorder fear daily. They lost a piece of themselves, and their life will never be the same. Watching these families who have become part of my family have to go on without their children left me knowing that I had to do more, and I wanted it to be something that, although would never bring their child home, would be their voice here on earth and be able to help others. For this reason, I wanted to grow Parents Supporting Parents to a non-profit that would honor all those lost to addiction by raising money for sober living scholarships in their memory. They may no longer be with us in body, but their spirits can help create miracles.
Sometimes we find a purpose through a journey we walk. To make Parents Supporting Parents a reality, I knew I would need the help of my community, and it would start by asking those I felt would want to help make this community and world a better place by helping others. Our Board of Directors and Supporters have made Parents Supporting Parents what it is today, and I am so grateful for their willingness to serve and make a difference.
Long-term sobriety is challenging to achieve without long-term sober living and returning to the same people and environment never is beneficial. Parents Supporting Parents Scholarships help someone in recovery have a chance at a new life in a safe environment.
They say it takes a village. You are all my village, and I believe that as a community, we will play our part in helping this epidemic that is killing so many. If we can do that, we will be the voices of those we have lost, and we’ll never forget their names.
I am grateful to the PSP Board of Directors, the PSP community Mamas and Papas, and all my friends and family for making my dream become a reality.
Linda Cubellis,
President PSP
