My youngest daughter told me she thinks I am an activist a few days ago. I didn’t think so. I have never looked at myself like that at all. She said she was discussing this with my friend, who is a school teacher. This brought a grin to my face. I love that my daughter is getting educated.
Now that I get to thinking about it, I may have some activist like behaviors. I certainly have decided that in 2018 I will no longer be treated like I have the plague because someone I love suffers from addiction. Matter of fact, I have decided that it is high time for our small community to become educated.
I decided to speak at our local Tribal Council meeting in February. That was a bit hard. I was the last person lined up to speak and I had to wait almost a full two hours!! This gave me plenty of time to sweat and be nervous and replay what I wanted to say over and over.
Now, next week I am going to promote Black Balloon Day!! This is on March 6th. I am so exicted to tie a black balloon on my house and on my vehicles!! This is because someone I love dearly is affected by addiction and to honor someone lost to an overdose. So if you have someone you love affected by addiction, you can tie a black ballooon on your car or at your house. Take a photo and use the hashtage #BlackBalloonDay on Facebook and Instagram to show your support.
I will be hosting another event or two to bring awareness in our community in 2018. I will keep you posted. Addiction is not a moral failing, it is a chronic neurological disorder. I plan to keep bringing opportunities to educate others on this and to bring back love and compassion to those suffering and their families and anyone who needs it.
ac·tiv·ist
ˈaktivəst/
noun
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1.a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.