I have been gifted recently with the experience of helping an alcoholic reach sobriety. I met a local Aboriginal man, father of two children, who appeared like an open, bleeding wound. He was caught in a cycle of trauma, being stolen generation, separated from his mother and growing up in boys home then an abusive foster home. He began drinking at 12 and has been on the grog ever since, never feeling strong enough to be himself. He first told me he wanted to die, then he asked me for help. I was unsure of what to do but I just did my best with each moment knowing that nourishing, traditional foods would give him strength. So I simply shared my food, at first he had no appetite but the few mouthfuls he ate began to revive him. I continually talked about nourishing food and shared with him my own story of healing my body with nourishment. He went into a 6 day detox program and emerged much stronger, he than had a relapse on grog but that was brief. He has now been sober for 3 weeks and is going from strenght to strength. He is cooking up organic beef stew tonight and he daily cooks traditional foods for himself and his brothers. We speak of nourishing foods often, he tells me old hunting stories and he has picked up his fishing rod to go fishing.
About the Author...
I am Wendyela and I am feeling grateful to live in the very beautiful Byron Bay. At the moment I am a filmmaker, childcarer and puppeteer. I have spent the last 6 months emerging from chronic Colitis and becoming strong, fit and healthy after changing to a nourishing, traditional diet, yum… I experience amazing journeys honoring our life giving water and I would love to share my delicious life with you
Jul 22nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I hope he is still doing well.
Jul 22nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
He is doing well, still sober and part of a street art project that aims to unite our community. He said he doesn’t have time to drink now he is living his purpose.
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 am
That is so cool. A man living his purpose. There should be more of it ;-)
Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am
I was visualizing men being in their strength and integrity when he came into my life, so good to see him step into it. He changed from feeling worthless to living his purpose, with a bit of feminine accepting the masculine and some nourishing food. I am hopeful for a lot more of it.
Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:03 am
You are indeed a wise woman Wendy. The point you just made about the feminine accepting & nourishing the masculine is something I have been trying to get across to one particular female friend of ours for a while now, everytime she tells me how ‘crap’ all of the men are.
Reading your words this morning, has warmed my heart, and inspired me.
Thanks & Lamb shanks! (with herb & lemon potatoes).
Aug 1st, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Dear Wendy,
I just read your comments on men finding their purpose and I am currently feeling so sad about my son who is lost and hardly speaks to me. I am so sad about how our relationship has declined into an impossible space. We have despaired at some of his behaviours - he binges on alcohol, has played around with various drugs like prescribed Ritalin, grass and others and has until today, resisted finding his own place. He is nearly 21 and should be in the wide world but seeing his boxes half packed today causes me so much pain and tears - because he is leaving so unfinished, so tortured that I battle feeling that I have let him down.
He won’t accept anything from me, including suggestions but I was wondering if anyone in W.A. has the skills you have - I do know some kinesiologists but I am drawn to the shamanistic aspect that you interweave into those skills.
Regards, Toni
Aug 1st, 2008 at 6:38 pm
That’s a beautiful story Wendy, with a wonderful happy ending. Healing is a wonderful gift to give, and you have it in spades. :-)
Aug 1st, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Toni,
What a heartbreaking time for you and your son sounds overwhelmed and almost unable to function. I find by speaking someones name it strengthens their spirit, also looking beyond all of the trauma and acknowledging the spirit you know and love. It can be difficult when faced with a demon like drugs or alcohol but the best thing to do is look beyond it and focus on the person you know is in there. With addiction its almost like the spirit goes to sleep till its over, so whatever is going on give the spirit strength and don’t go into battle with the demon. It can be challenging when you dont get to see the one you love very often but it is important to be hopeful and keep a positive outlook for his future despite the present trauma. Have you looked at doing a course on how to cope with addiction so your not taking it personally.
I will find out who is doing HK near you and let you know.
All the best
Aug 2nd, 2008 at 2:45 am
As hope to you Toni, I was that child that packed my boxes and left angry and bitter towards my parents. I can’t imagine the pain they went through as they saw me move in with a violent and abusive boyfriend carrying his child. I was surrounded by a life of drugs and alcohol, manipulation and confusion. I got sick of it one day. I remembered the comfort my family gave me. I recalled my father shouting to me as I left that he didn’t want me to leave and I could come home anytime. My father was crying, he never cries. I remember how they loved me unconditionally, while my boyfriends affection was very influenced by how ‘well’ I had behaved that day. I got sick of the twisted world I was in and went home. Be a warm and welcoming light, your son will come home some day and your pain and tears wouldn’t be in vain. Peace be with you.