The sixth annual "A Night of Hope," co-hosted by A Healthy Lynnfield and the Think of Michael Foundation, transformed the Lynnfield Town Common into a sea of purple on Sept. 22, during National Recovery Month. Hundreds of residents attended the event, with A Healthy Lynnfield Chair Phil Crawford thanking the 400 attendees for their presence and recognizing Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Peg Sallade and Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Diana DeLeo for their "tremendous work" with students and residents.
Personal Stories of Resilience
The evening was filled with moving speeches from individuals who have been directly affected by addiction. Lynnfield High School senior Camryn Donovan shared her family's story, recounting how her father's struggle with heroin impacted her life.
Camryn's Story: From Brokenness to Strength
Camryn described her family as seemingly normal, filled with laughter, yelling, and unwavering support. However, a storm was brewing beneath the surface as her father fell into the disease of addiction. "As his addiction took hold, the changes became more pronounced," Camryn said. "My father became more aggressive, and began to abuse my mother right in front of my eyes." Her father, once a source of bedtime stories and bravery, became unrecognizable, consumed by his need for heroin. He abandoned the family, leaving Camryn, her mother, and her siblings to rebuild their broken lives.
Forced to grow up quickly, Camryn became a source of support for her mother, managing the household and caring for her younger sister while her older siblings navigated their own paths. This experience instilled in her a sense of resilience, teaching her to navigate challenges with determination and grace. Despite the hardships, Camryn found strength in her situation, learning the importance of never giving up. "My dad’s struggle with addiction and unfortunate abandonment left a lasting mark on my life," said Camryn. "I have learned that our past does have not have to dictate our future. We have the power to overcome our circumstances, no matter how big or small, and we can create our own path."
Kevin's Story: Finding Recovery and Purpose
Recovery on the Harbor Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Mortimer discussed his challenges with addiction and how recovery is possible. Mortimer shared that he experienced trauma at a young age, leading him to feel like he didn't fit in. "I just wanted to be disconnected from reality," said Mortimer. He "got in trouble with the law in high school" and barely graduated, later dropping out of college and serving a year in prison for breaking-and-entering. "I was constantly lowering the bar," said Mortimer.
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Mortimer's addiction led to a life-altering event: "I got stabbed in my spinal cord and was paralyzed." However, even this didn't immediately deter him. "My first thought wasn’t about how my life was going to be greatly affected. It just snowballed over the years. All of the money I had went to drugs and alcohol. It got to a point where I had to change. My mom was in recovery, so I knew it existed." Now, at 35-years-old, Mortimer has his first apartment and a job he loves, working at a recovery support center and helping others.
Mari's Story: Turning Pain into Passion
Chelsea House General Manager Mari Santos shared the pain of losing her sister to an overdose, as well as her own struggles with addiction. "My heart still aches for her loss five years later, but somehow I have managed to turn that pain into a passion for helping others," said Santos. "I want us to remember my sister as a blessing. I want to treasure the life that she shared with us over the pain that her death has brought to us. I remember the struggles my sister faced, the pain that she endured and the countless times she tried to overcome her addiction." Santos vowed to always remember her sister's bright smile, infectious laugh, and generous spirit.
Santos has been in recovery for the past five-and-a-half years. "A little over three years ago, I joined a team that helps people such as myself," said Santos. "It has been an amazing experience being able to help others. And while I strive to be an inspiration to others, I need plenty of motivation myself. Getting clean and sober was the bravest thing I have ever done. My journey has been filled with loss, but I have also gained so much. I have a career helping others, my son is back in my life and I have a healthy relationship with my family. But most importantly, it gave me my life back. Recovery made this all possible. I am now dedicating my life to helping others struggling. In the aftermath of my sister’s death, my sister taught me the most valuable lesson of all: That addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. This is a treatable condition, and not a personal weakness."
The Power of Community and Recovery
The "Night of Hope" served as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that no one has to face addiction alone. Think of Michael Foundation Vice President Jamie Dalton emphasized the importance of community in the recovery journey. "National Recovery Month is a time where we celebrate the successes of those in recovery," said Jamie. "I am so grateful that so many people here have been instrumental in my recovery journey because no one can do this alone. The people I have met along the way of my journey are some of the most amazing people I have met in my life. I try to live my days by helping those the way that I was helped. Miracles do happen in recovery and recovery is possible for everybody. We have also had many loved ones, friends and people in our programs who have lost their lives to addiction."
The event highlighted the importance of understanding addiction as a disease and the availability of resources and support for those who are struggling. The stories shared by Camryn, Kevin, and Mari demonstrated the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of recovery.
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