Stories of Recovery

  • Stories of Recovery

    Volunteer Story: Hillary Grigel

    by Nate Lanting

    I was intimidated at first, thinking I had nothing to offer these women – no professional experience with case management, and no personal experience with abuse or addiction. How would I relate? But as we began working out together, it was readily apparent that we would relate to one another just like I do with any other woman in my life – through jokes and laughter, commiserating in the pain of one more set of squats, and starting to share little bits and pieces of our lives: our hopes, our fears, and our faith.

    On hikes outdoors we joined the men and I grew to find these guys my big little brothers. I could bring into the mix my experience hiking, but learned about mountaineering with the team. We worked up to Mt. Hood. It was incredibly amazing and difficult. By the time it was over we were a family forged by suffering and success. Mt. Rainier was a time I’ll never forget. There is something to be said about doing the hardest physical and mental thing you’ve ever done in the company of a team that is like family. When you think you can’t do it – and someone alongside you says, “I know you can” and they push you even when you hate them for it. Later you love them for it.

    The hard work and the time together melted all perceived barriers. We were one team, struggling together and supporting each other together. On our ladies’ team the sisterhood was fierce – we cried together over broken relationships due to addiction, and hoped with one another for God’s healing power. We shared our vulnerable needs and found everyone a bit ashamed to say how much they felt like they were unlovable and yet shyly eager to receive love. We went to court hearings and weddings together – the running store and the 7-11 for post workout Slurpees. Not only did I realize I could climb incredibly difficult mountains with the help of my friends – but I realized that these friends were the ones that I would keep for life.

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  • 2011 Climb Team

    Christian Downs

    by Nate Lanting

    How it all began…

    It all started with trying to fit in with a crowd that I “thought” were “friends”. I was raised better, I knew better, I can’t believe I ever used drugs; it went from cocaine, to crack, to pain pills, to heroin. With each change it got worse, until the people that were always around me were gone. I was making good money and stayed employed while addicted to opiates; but the double lifestyle could only be hid and functional for so long. I found myself alone and enslaved to the next session of getting high. I was using non-stop just to maintain, feel normal, and not be sick. It was just a matter of time before I would end up homeless, in prison, or dead.

    Luckily, it didn’t get that far, I was never homeless. A work intervention sent me to a program (28-day) that I completed to appease others and keep my job, but I wasn’t ready to get clean. After losing my job and getting desperate, I entered the Climbing Out of Homelessness (COH) program and the UGM recovery program together. It was a big part of my success. I have been clean off of all drugs for 5 years now.

    It gave me something positive to look forward to. It gave me people that were there for me in good times and difficult ones. I finally had real friends that were doing positive things and not just getting high. It helped me turn into a person that does the right thing for the right reasons, and not just when someone is looking or for recognition. It helped me to put others ahead of myself and to trust people. I then also became worthy of being trusted. Most of all, it motivated me to get outdoors and see more of the beauty of God’s creation with healthy community. I believe the COH program will help others, like it helped me to find the life I was meant to live.

    I still love to hike, and do so often with climb team alumni as well as my wife Kari of two years. My climbing experience helps me often relate to people from many backgrounds while working with Alpha USA as the Regional Director of Washington State. I will continue to Climb trails, but more importantly the mountains of life. Thanks COH.

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