I can’t remember when I have admired anyone so much, or wanted to give him a hug of thanks.
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Herb Stephenson is a 31-year-old daddy, who looks like lots of other nice-looking young men. But he is a very special young man. For many years, Herb was a heroin addict, who would do almost anything to be able to feed his addiction, not caring at all what went into his body as long as it was drugs. At 29, he found himself facing a 35-year jail term, and contemplated suicide. But before he carried through with those thoughts, while he was incarcerated, he began to go to recovery meetings and attend church, even helping with a renovation project.
He decided that he needed to tell his story, so he began writing a blog about the vivid stories of his life because of drug addiction, and about the consequences of dependency on opioids, such as living in abandoned buildings, eating from dumpsters, stealing to get a “hit”, and even overdosing twice. With the encouragement of people reading his blog, he began to put it together for a book. His honest and open story tells the “need to know” facts of the sickness, death, homelessness, and ugliness of drug addiction. But more than that, it is a book of hope proving that even the worst addiction can be turned into recovery.
He is living proof that addicts can get clean and turn their lives around, and “have a pretty awesome life”. When he was in jail, his potential for recovery was noticed, and he was sent to Respite House for recovering addicts. According to assistant director Brooks Culpepper, Herb talks with his heart, and that is why his book, “Junkbox Diaries — a day in the life of a heroin addict” is a must read for victims of addiction, parents of addicts, and teenagers and parents who want to stay away from the “just try it once” scene. I would even hope that there is a time it becomes required reading in middle and high schools. The book is published by Joshua Tree Publishing and was just released last week. Aside from the Bible, it may be the most important book you ever read.
Herb Stephenson, thank you for sharing your drug life that may save others from the fate so many have faced because of addiction. God’s blessings — you are my pet person of the week.
What a great weekend it was last week! First, on Saturday evening, our Special Olympics athletes and board were guests of Omar’s Elvis bash, and at intermission, we were invited on stage (thanks to Omar) to receive a gift of $14,000 from Elvis Fantasy Fest angel director Kay Lipps for our Special Olympians programs. It was the 24th year of the Elvis Fest, which is held every year at Woodland Park in Portage, and we are already looking forward to the 25th year in October.
The concert Saturday night featured some mighty outstanding Elvis performers, but for me, the most outstanding part of the evening was knowing that our athletes’ programs will continue. We sure are blessed with some wonderful friends!
Then on Sunday, both Lake and Porter County athletes boarded a bus for Lawrenceburg to enjoy Winter Games at Perfect North Ski Area. When we left here on Sunday with its frigid temperatures, we prayed that it would be a little warmer on Monday and Tuesday. Monday dawned with beautiful sunlight, very little wind, and a perfect temperature. In fact, some of the athletes even had sunburned faces! The weather forecast for Tuesday called for nasty rain, and that would eliminate finals competition. Yep, it did rain pretty hard, but not until we were on our bus heading home, and there was plenty of sunshine on the bus with all the happy medal and ribbon winners. It was just another special blessing, and a good time was had by all. We “older” guys came home a little more tired than usual though.
It’s happy time, and I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.