I wear this survival bracelet every single day.
(SEE - I am a real person!)
It was given to me by a friend I made while I was homeless and strung out on heroin on the streets of Vancouver last year.
He gave it to me the day before I left for rehab and told me he was headed to get help himself a few days later. I left Vancouver on December 10th a broken man, clutching this bracelet and the few belongings I had left in my backpack.
I have spent some time trying to get in touch with my friend, with no luck yet :/
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However, my buddy who gave me the bracelet apparently is still out there ripping and running on the streets. :[
Breaks my heart to think about it, honestly. But I wear this bracelet as a reminder of a time period in life when I had nothing left and was on the verge of death. I wore it all through rehab.
In fact, I've worn it every day since the day I left Vancouver and got clean, December 10th. It's my reminder that while I made it out, others are still struggling with this insidious affliction.
I wear it to remind myself of where I've been, what I've been through, and how far I've come. And I'll continue to wear it every day so that I never forget - because addiction is a cunning enemy. I can never let my guard down to it, I have to be resilient always.
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It also is pretty nifty to have some paracord on you at all times, especially when you're a perpetual traveler like me - never know when you may need it. So it's meaningful, but is also useful!
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Share your story with someone who will listen. Ask for help. Reach out to others. I didn't win my fight alone - I went to rehab, but mainly it was my family that helped me maintain my sanity and kick the shit out of this monster.
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It's a daily battle and will be forever. Today, I'm just keeping my buddy who gave this bracelet to me in my thoughts - I hope he gets the help he needs so he can live the life he deserves to have. No one deserves to live and die as an addict. No one.
❤️
-Panda
