Disclaimer: The following story contains sensitive content regarding substance abuse and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate help. Resources are available 24/7 through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or by texting HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
“Hope can mean so many things,” AJ, a Laradon Participant, says with a bright smile. “It means to hope, to love, and to embrace. And that all leads to one thing: to let go, to forgive, and to move forward. Think about the present. Think of the future. The past isn’t worth living in.”
For AJ, hope wasn’t always a part of his life. Growing up in the foster care system as a kid with an intellectual and developmental disability was a constant struggle. He lived his life day to day just hoping to make it to the next morning.
With the lack of love and support in his life, AJ says he turned to drugs and alcohol to numb his unhealed pain and trauma. His addiction ultimately resulted in a confrontation with law enforcement that underscored how severe his struggles had become.
“I was full of anger and full of hatred when I was finally taken to jail. I was highly suicidal and just wanted to die,” he remembers in a sorrowful tone.
But that’s when Laradon’s services came alongside AJ. At his darkest moment, Laradon supported AJ in getting clean, finding him a loving Host Home family, and connecting him with a Behaviorist, to guide him on his path to healing.
“Talking to a Behaviorist, has helped me so much. Before Laradon, I was like Darth Sidious, but now I’m Anakin Skywalker,” AJ explained.
For more than three years, Laradon’s behavioral service providers have worked with AJ, seeing incredible progress. Together, they have found strategies to manage frustration and sadness, with music proving to be a powerful, therapeutic tool.
“I like all types of music, it just depends on my mood. When I feel upset, I will play music, and it helps me feel better and live in the present,.” AJ says.
September is World Suicide Prevention Month and AJ hopes his story can inspire others to seek help and find a reason to keep fighting.
“When I got out of the foster care system, I used drugs and alcohol often, and struggled with suicidal thoughts. But now, I have learned you can’t let the past get to you. Life gets better. I’m happy, I’m grateful. I have food. I have a warm place to live and loving people that I live with,” AJ says proudly.
Today, AJ lives with hope pulsing through his veins. He has lived an unimaginably hard life, but he is still here, a testament to the fact that no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you are always enough, and you always matter.
By: Katey Lewicki, Communications Coordinator
Disclaimer: The following story contains sensitive content regarding substance abuse and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek immediate help. Resources are available 24/7 through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or by texting HOME to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
