In 2012, after experiencing a life altering event that brought an insurmountable amount of pain into my life, add in a lack of skills and will power to endure, I was sent spiraling straight down the dark path of addiction. I was alone in a world I didn’t understand. Separated from my family, and children, running from anyone who cared about me. To the world and to myself I was just another invisible addict hiding in the dark, wreaking havoc on the cold and lonely streets of Bend stealing and using drugs to survive.

It appeared I was destined for one of two fates: prison or death. Holding on tightly to the hope of death as that would have been a much kinder fate than prison because prison would mean being sober, and being sober was a far worse fate to me than death. I was lost.

Life, as it usually does, had another plan. That plan would include placing me in the wrong place at exactly the right time, with exactly the right person; that person being William Bailey…

In 2013, William Bailey was investigating a theft of bullet proof vests from the sheriff’s range in Deschutes County, subsequently leading to my arrest.

Following my arrest, riding in the back of that car that fateful day, it was impossible to know that one man’s unwavering patience, kindness, and compassion, would lead me out of the darkness and into the light that I experience today.

I’d love to say I quit that day and life was amazing but that would be a fairy tale. Because in real life it was a difficult struggle, a struggle that led to another arrest, probation, and ultimately drug treatment. As most addicts do, I didn’t make caring about me easy, and challenged William Bailey daily.

William Bailey, unwavering in compassion and patience, made himself available to me every step of the way. He was always there listening, and guiding me along. Day or night, sometimes hourly, I knew I could reach out and he would be there.

William Bailey believed in me, I was no longer alone. For the first time, I actually felt seen. Isn’t that what we all really want, to be seen?

Even now to this very day, even when life gets busy, and months go by, I know if I reach out, William Bailey will still be on the other end of the line, whether it be a happy holiday text, or parenting advice, William Bailey is there.

With William Bailey’s help and support, I was reunited with my children and my family. I worked my way through probation, and drug treatment, as well to the milestone of happily celebrating 10 years of recovery just recently this month.

Today my children; Madison, Mylea, and James, all stand beside me working hand in hand doing our best to reflect William Bailey’s compassion for me back to the Oregon addiction community, through our work at Serenity Lane’s inpatient drug treatment center in Coburg.

My family, along with myself, all thank William Bailey for his support in our lives.

I support William Bailey for Deschutes County sheriff, as I know he will continue to bring the same compassion to all of Central Oregon that he has shown myself.

Editor’s Note

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