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EDGES MAGAZINE Issue
29 |
May 2002 |
COMMENTS FROM
AROUND THE
WORLD |
THOMAS
enters into dialogue with people all around the world
Our website provides
an extensive library, focusing on the complexities of
exclusion
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‘Again, I would like to praise the work that
THOMAS do, as an addict in recovery for over three years, I know how important
it is to have support. I know that being an addict I should understand failing
when trying to come clean, but I just feel so angry at the moment. I became
addicted to heroin when I was 17, and within 6 months I had gone past the stage
of stealing from my family, and I was stealing from other families. This
continued for another 18 months. Burglary, forgery, mugging old ladies, you
name it, I did it all. How can I be angry at other addicts when I've been so
disgustingly terrible in my own life, you might ask. I managed to get a place
in a rehab when I was facing a minimum of 3 years in prison after being
arrested for burglary and deception. In the months that I spent in rehab, in
one to ones and group meetings I rebelled, as I had all through my life. But, I
did take the chance to look upon my life, or my existence as it was. The things
I had done repulsed me. I imagined how I would feel if my grandma had been
walking to the shop, or had just collected her pension and had somebody rip her
bag off her arm, or if my parents had woken one morning to find their most
precious belongings gone even though they were worth nothing in the eyes of a
second hand dealer. After 3 months I was kicked out of rehab, not for using,
but for not complying with the rules. As I walked out with my suitcase, other
residents and some of the counsellors said I would be back on smack within days
of me leaving. I resented that. It was drummed into me that if I went back to
my home town I wouldn’t last long, I'd soon be using. They didn’t
realise that in my few short months there, I'd had time to wake up. I knew when
I left there that the last thing I was going to do was use, whether they
believed me or not. I WANTED TO CHANGE MY LIFE. I've struggled with life, and
people’s reactions to me. I've been punched in the face by a man whose
house I robbed, and I can’t blame them for feeling as angry as they did. I
turned their world upside down. But I'd already made the decision to change.
The only way I can help the people I've burgled or mugged now is by never going
back to that existence. I'm angry because I know that if you really want to
give up drugs you can do. I know that addicts are smart. They have to be to get
by, and it is a big step to do something different, like living life without
drugs, many addicts haven't known anything else for years! Just grasp that
chance if it’s offered to you, try and make a difference in your life,
your families’ lives, and your friends’ lives. YOU ARE WORTH IT’
Louise
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‘ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A HEROIN ADDICT IT HAS EFFECTED MY LIFE IN
A BIG WAY AS THE MAN I LOVE, IS OR AT LEAST WAS VERY DEPENDENT ON IT. HE IS AT
THE MOMENT IN PRISON & PAM SEES HIM EVERY WEEK, I DO THINK IT HAS MADE A
DIFFRENCE & I AM HOPEFUL HE WILL WANT TO SORT HIMSELF OUT ON HIS RELEASE.
WITH THE SURPPORT OF EVERYONE AT T.H.O.M.A.S & HIS WILL- POWER, MAYBE HE
WILL FINALLY KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO LEAD A NORMAL, DRUG-FREE LIFE. PS PAM
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU HAVE SPENT LISTENING TO ME GO ON ABOUT HIM.’
Clare
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I am the mother of a recovering addict who was not able to
get the help he needed in Britain & had to go to Spain to be helped by
RETO-another Christian organisation. He begins his new job at THOMAS on Monday.
God bless you all
Elaine
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As a
recovering addict, I know how important a good support network is. Our world
needs more people like Father Jim and all the staff at Thomas, who are willing
to give addicts the help they need, in an understanding and non-judgemental
way. Without the help of such people, I'm sure I wouldn't be here now. With the
help of such people I now have a life to live, not just an existence. May all
your good work continue.
Sarah
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I've been a client of the T.H.O.M.A.S organisation for drug
dependency and it is a wonderful set up so I thank god for Fr. Jim and his
dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Thank you all for saving my life.
David
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I am
involved in an organisation called Help the Homeless in Chorley Lancashire. I
find Edges very helpful although I do not come across drugs/alcohol too often.
Keep up the good work.
Mrs Maxwell
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I have always had a great admiration for the work you do
for those on the Edges of Society. Keep up the good work.
Veronica
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As an
ex-catholic in recovery your site is nice to see. It's always seemed to me,
even as a young child, that a true priest or nun lives a life of poverty and
serves those in need. Around Boston we have many Priests, Bishops, Cardinals,
etc. living in relative wealth in comparison to their neighbours and it's quite
sickening. I wonder if the Catholic church will ever find the mission of Jesus
and get rid of it's many leaches in the clergy. Until that happens I will never
understand the Catholic church.
Stephen, Boston, USA
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I can relate to this web site as I am an recovering
alcoholic, have lost everything because of it, and find people are way too
judgmental, I never intended to become this way, and am glad to hear that there
are other people who feel the same way I do.
Tracy, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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G'day,
What a great site. I work in Brisbane with young GLBT people in issues of
identity and self esteem. Your site is excellent and I will be linking to my
youth directory here. Well done. In solidarity.
Tony, Brisbane,
Australia
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This is a very impressive site. I went to school in
Blackburn in the early 70s and (many years later) now live in Tokyo, Japan. I
was very sad to hear about the death of Bishop Holland, the former Bishop of
Salford, on September 30th. (He confirmed me in 1973). I only met him once, but
I think that he was a very holy man and an excellent example of how to live a
Christian life. Please pray for him (and me).
John, Tokyo, Japan
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Awesome
sight and idea. I praise God that the people responsible have a heart for God's
people. Wanted to share an awesome experience I had on Sept. 23. Took a
panhandler to lunch!! Always wanted the courage to do so and it happened.
Prayed a blessing over his meal (cheeseburger, onion rings and a large coffee)
fellowshipped with him for half an hour and promised to pray for him to find a
job. Upon leaving the scene (our local bus terminal) I told my companion, "That
could have been Jesus! That could have been Jesus!" My most prolific teachers
in life have been the marginalized in penal facilities around the globe. They
have taught me about faith, freedom and the love of God. Take heart my brothers
and sisters, if Jesus were here, He would be walking, talking and visiting you
with empathetic and tender compassion. He loves each one of you and you are
special. Never forget this!
Heather,Kitchener,
Canada
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Please keep up the good work. I am in a wheelchair and
can't do much physically, but I can and will pray for your work.
Sallie,
Toronto, Canada
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I'm
glad to see a site like this. As a Vietnam Veteran, I know of a lot of homeless
Veterans. They try to forget in a bottle or drugs. I thank my Father in Heaven
that I didn't get drawn into that bottomless pit. GOOD JOB.
Steven, Sky
Forest, Calif, USA
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I'm really worried about my country’s troubles. I
would like to help (as you do) the people who need a hand, but I don't know
how. Would you tell me something about it? Thanks!
Luis, Oaxaca,
Mexico
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What a
blessing to see a magazine such as yours. I am not Catholic, but I am a
Christian. I know that were Christ to come back today He would be with the
homeless, the grief stricken, the AIDS patients, the drug addicted, the
homosexuals, offering peace and hope and especially love because God is Love
and we are all precious to Him. I wish all Christians had the attitude that I
find in your magazine. Many times the people that call themselves Christians
are hate filled, judgmental and self righteous. I don't want to be in the same
catagory...I want the Lord to find me loving people where ever they are in
their lives, because that's what He would do and because that's what He's
always done for me.
Robin, New York, USA
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