Fatso
HEY! My name is Jill Van Gyn and I'm the founder and CEO of Fatso. 10 years ago today I made the decision to enter recovery from drugs and alcohol. On August 14th, 2010, at 30 years old, sick, suicidal, and at a desperate rock bottom, I asked for help and that call was answered by my family and by those in the recovery community. I was one of the lucky ones. I was afforded some of the best rehab care in Canada and was received by a loving and steadfast group of fellow addicts. The only reason I am not dead, institutionalized, or in jail is because I was born with immense privilege. Our communities are suffering from a massive overdose crisis and rampant addiction. Addiction and recovery need to be normalized, regardless of background, upbringing, or circumstance. Those experiencing homelness, people who have been barred from mainstream privileges, and addicts who break the "law" in order to survive, feel dignity, or exercise power, deserve recovery, deserve compassion, and deserve a strong social response, like any other suffering in the grips of a life-threatening disease. We may not like the symptoms. They are often ugly and harmful. But I was an addict. I was ugly. I was harmful. I am only where I am today because I had access. Yes, I worked hard. I hated recovery for the first year and swore I would go out again. But I found hope and gratitude in the rooms of a 12 Step program. It's not for everyone - that's just where I found my lifeline. Once I got on my feet I offered help to other addicts because it was so freely given to me. Of all the wonderful things I’ve achieved in the past decade- an amazing spouse, a much longed for baby, a loving relationship with my family, a masters degree, a dream job, and rad sneakers- it is the self-acceptance and reconciliation with my past that I treasure the most. If you or someone you know could use help or you just need a chat DM me and we'll set up a call. I will tell you how I did it. Recovery is possible. #legalizedrugs #yesallofthem #harmreduction #recoveryispossible ... See more
