Dozens of people gathered at Fredericton City Hall to celebrate addiction recovery, inspiring others to come forward and share their stories.
Fredericton Deputy Mayor Kate Rogers officially declared September 16 Recovery Day in the capital city.
The day aims to create awareness and unite people who are recovering from addictions. It’s a chance for people to support each other and improve lives.
Recovery Day events are held across the country each September, with 30 Canadian cities taking part in the national initiative — from Vancouver to Newfoundland. There are 30 cities hosting events this month. The movement started in Vancouver and Victoria B.C. in 2012.
READ MORE: Montreal’s Recovery Day aims to end stigma surrounding addiction
Portage Atlantic Director of Development Carol Tracey says Fredericton has hosted Recovery Day events for four years — making it the first city in Atlantic Canada to join the movement.
Tracey says there are close to five million people in Canada who are recovering from addictions. In an email to Global News, she says when you factor in friends, families and allies of people living in recovery, 80 to 90 percent of the population is being affected.
READ MORE: Calgarians struggling with addictions talk about shame: ‘alcoholism just about killed me’
Organizers opened the microphone up to the public, asking if anyone wanted to share their experience with addiction.
- Canadian man dies during Texas Ironman event. His widow wants answers as to why
- ‘Sciatica was gone’: hospital performs robot-assisted spinal surgery in Canadian first
- Canadians more likely to eat food past best-before date. What are the risks?
- Invasive strep: ‘Don’t wait’ to seek care, N.S. woman warns on long road to recovery
Event attendee Renee Farrell took the opportunity to share her story. She told the crowd she has been sober for 44 days and is attending the Sarah Tracy Centre of Women for treatment. Farrell says she lives in Newfoundland but says she and her doctor decided it would be best to come to Fredericton for longer-term treatment.
“Alcohol, and prescription medication…and cocaine. You name it, I was addicted to it,” Farrell said.
Farrell says she’s lucky to be alive and she hopes to inspire others to seek help.
“I want people to know that, ya know what? If I can do it, anybody can do it,” Farrell said.
Tim Dickson was also in attendance and says he is visiting from Ontario to attend the Harvest Jazz and Blues festival. He says he suffered from substance abuse for over a decade.
“Enough was enough. I couldn’t stand being ashamed of myself and living like a hypocrite anymore,” Dickson said.
Dickson says addictions bring out the worst in people.
“When I did call for help, I just found there was all kinds of incredible resources out there just waiting for people like me that were in dire straits,” Dickson said.
He says he was open to taking the help that was offered.
Organizers handed out silver ribbons as a symbol of hope, and a reminder that every cloud has a silver lining.
“I think that people coming up and having the courage to come up and share their stories makes this event very successful,” Tracey said.
Attendees also took part in a unity circle and held hands in a show of solidarity during a minute of silence.
Moncton will host Recovery Day events at city hall on Monday September 19 at 12 p.m.
Comments