Pubdate: Mon, 21 Sep 2015
Source: Chatham Daily News, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Chatham Daily News
Contact: http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/letters
Website: http://www.chathamdailynews.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1627
Author: Vicki Gough,
Page: A1

SHEDDING LIGHT ON THOSE BATTLING ADDICTIONS

Recovery Day 2015 coming to municipality

People living with addictions will share their stories during an
upcoming event in Chatham in recognition of a national movement to
help end the stigma others place on them.

Recovery Day 2015 Chatham-Kent will hear from at least eight people
who have risen above their addictions to take back control of their
lives.

Among them is Chelsey Bokor, a young Chatham woman, who has been sober
for 21 and a half months.

Bokor told The Chatham Daily News it was the death of her younger
sister that moved her to seek help for her disease.

"I started using when I was 15 years old," the 24-year-old said,
adding it started out of peer pressure to fit in.

"At the time, I was not looking to get clean for many
years."

Now, Bokor is focused on her recovery and helping others by standing
up and putting her face on a subject most people would consider taboo
out of fear and embarrassment.

"I lost my home and my child," she said.

Now Bokor says she is not only drug-free, but has her child back and
she has returned to school in developmental social work studies.

"I want to help youth in our community who struggle with addiction,"
she said.

Bokor believes she is proof addiction can be beat and she is sharing
her experience to help others.

"So many families are struggling with this disease, and so many people
are losing their kids over this," she said.

Bokor said when she did seek help "our community went above and beyond
my expectations.

"Our community needs much more awareness that miracles are possible,"
she added.

Bokor called her journey an overwhelming process that is achievable
thanks to an extremely supportive community.

"I know it can be difficult for parents in recovery," she
said.

Bokor said comments like, 'if you could start, you can stop' proves
there is still much work to do to increase public awareness that
addiction is a disease.

"I'm very proud of how far I've come. It's a lifelong battle," she
added.

Recovery Day 2015 will be celebrated on Sept. 26 starting at the
Chatham-Kent Municipal Civic Centre at 1 p.m.

After opening remarks, people will march to Tecumseh Park to hear
testimonials and enjoy some musical interludes.

Jacquie Smith, an outreach caseworker at House of Sophrosyne and
Recovery Day 2015 Chatham-Kent event co-ordinator, said everyone is
invited to attend.

"Recovery Day shows people that recovery is definitely possible,"
Smith said.

Building awareness of recovery and of the role healing plays in
improving lives, families and communities will be the focus of the
event.

Smith said recovery from addiction should and needs to be celebrated.
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MAP posted-by: Matt