Last year, Andrew’s mom honored his first year of recovery with a commemorative tile. We thought we would share the note she sent to be read at the tile ceremony. Â
I first learned about Stepping Stone many years ago when I worked for the Betty Ford Center and we recommended quite a few patients to Stepping Stone for aftercare. All I need then was that they had a good reputation as “gay friendly” which at the time was not easy to find for a patient.
After many years, and Stepping Stone far off my radar, my own son was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. He had been to 4 rehabs. I think they all planted a seed or two but didn’t really get deep to the bottom of who Andrew was and what tools he needed.
My son found himself once more in a fight for his life (literally) and once again as a mom I felt pretty hopeless. It was then that Stepping Stone came into my life again, in a more personal way than before.
Andrew went to treatment at Stepping Stone and did very well. His counselors and peers were wonderful and off he went from in-patient rehab to a sober living house. It was there that he found himself, once again, in a fight against a disease that he did not choose but had chosen him.
The staff had to do a very difficult thing and ask him to leave. Consequences are not easy for the giver or the receiver. Andrew disappeared once more into a very dark and dangerous place. Eventually he hit bottom again and resurfaced sober, but on vary shaky ground.
Stepping Stone was once again willing to take him back under their roof. They were once again able to help him go deeper into “Andrew” and work on his issues.  He has come so far and I KNOW that the staff at Stepping Stone did everything they could do. When he would slip they were broken hearted and when he succeeded they celebrated that.
But they were willing to take another chance on him and thank God for them. Now, 2 years later he is doing great. He is a grateful, sober and spiritual human being who is growing into the man he was meant to be.
Thank you Stepping Stone for all you have done and do with a sincere and loving spirit. I am forever in your debt.
Stephanie E. (Andrew’s grateful mom)
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