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2,000 feet taking one step at a time
Sept. 22, 2003 - JERSEY CITY - Adrian was in his mid-teens and slept on the streets. Peggy was known as the "sicko family member." And Fred lost two houses, a new car, and his business.
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Recovery Walk 2003, held September 21, 2003 at Liberty State Park, signaled the beginning of the coming together of the recovery community in New Jersey. Last year the successful celebration drew 1,200 to 1,500 people from every segment of the recovery community. Attending the walk were individuals in recovery, family members, friends, supporters and other allies. Professionals from treatment, prevention, education, awareness, advocacy, information, counseling, and other services were there to share in the day's activities.

What drew everyone together that day was recovery -- the miraculous life transformation that all of us in the recovery community are in some way a part of. And this is something that we must not lose sight of, but continue to call to consciousness. That is why so many came to the walk. It was time for the recovery community to step up and step forward to honor and celebrate recovery in a public way. It was time for those in recovery, their family members and supporters to do so as a community, a recovery community, and to publicly acknowledge and bear witness to the fact that recovery is a reality in the lives of thousands of individuals here in New Jersey.

Freedom. Liberty. Are there better words to describe recovery?

What better place to celebrate freedom from addiction than in the shadow of Lady Liberty and within sight of Ellis Island; a symbol of freedom, hope and a new life for so many Americans. And how similar to recovery that all sounds. The people at last year's celebration, the second annual recovery walk, all had been touched by the spirit of recovery in a very special way. It was that spirit that called to them and brought them to the walk. We trust that this spirit has not been lost, and not only has been sustained but passed on to others, so that they too will be moved to join the Third Annual Recovery Walk on September 18 this year.

There aren't many opportunities for members of the addiction recovery community to come together to celebrate recovery - this gift, this blessing of lives transformed, of health and spirit recovered. The Recovery Walk is such an opportunity.

Let's come together again to renew our acquaintances, to welcome others, to refresh our spirit, and to stand in awe as we bring to mind and into consciousness how much and greatly we have been blessed with the life-giving and life-sustaining gift of recovery.

For more information or to help in organizing the walk,
call 888/872-3979.

Yury Tarnavskyj, Project Director, FOAR-NJ

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