Page 7 - Tiglin Newsletter 2019

DAY SERVICES
Doors A poem by Day Service User
We open and close them every day or walk right past them they have
a lot to say.
The secrets they hold or things they could say.
New doors can be opened to show you the way while others can make you fade away.
That knock on the door or that ring of the bell sometimes welcomed to others it’s hell.
That bang on the door from something that’s owed or someone to offer good news or console.
Doors are such a big part of our life they keep you safe or secure at night.
Or a family in fear, a father in foe showing his hand ruling the show,
Some Insights from Paula,
Day Service Manager
When an individual seeks help and enters a treatment programme whether residential or community based within the first couple of weeks you usually hear “I feel safe,” “I belong here” or “It feels like family”. It is this sense of love and belonging that keeps the person coming back.
When a person feels accepted, valued and worthwhile their minds open to all possibilities. They begin the journey of self discovery in
their door is a prison powerfully closed a family in fear he’ll never let go.
Doors can’t be cruel, clever or kind, things can be hidden deep inside, like the door to your soul or a darkened place these things kept locked up inside their place.
Requests to leave or dismiss one away the exit door shows them the way.
Or the finger of blame pointed one’s way it lies at your door people will say.
Reconsideration or choices can be damaged we’ll leave the door open is a common saying, but one thing for sure the choices we make a door will be open to find one’s place.
By Colm Johnston
recovery. Personal development occurs on a daily basis through inter- personal relationships.
We are social beings, addiction excludes and isolates us from society. Life beyond addiction connects us to family, fellowships, friendships, employment, education and hobbies. These groups increase our social feeling, heighten our self worth, create an optimistic view on life and lessen the chance of relapse.
REAL LIVES DANNY’S STORY
I currently own and run a small company providing landscaping and gardening services; also providing employment for one full-time and one part-time staff and work experience for students at Tiglin. I am also a mentor to students graduating from the Tiglin programme. Over the last few years, my relationships with my partner and two children have flourished. However, life was not always so positive!
For 20 years, I was caught in addiction to alcohol and drugs. I was in and out of prison. One of my most vivid memories of that time is of my then nine-year-old daughter and a school friend seeing me picked up off the street by an ambulance because of the state I was in. I had no life. I had destroyed everything around me. I was a broken man.
Then, in January 2010, I had the chance to come to Tiglin. It was a tough programme which I struggled with at first, particularly the discipline that leads to self-discipline. I was so stubborn. But, I heard the Good News
of Jesus at Tiglin and knew that I needed it.
It was mind boggling to me, but I became a different man. For the first time in 20 years, I was alive, not in a living death. It wasn’t easy, but you can’t hide forever. I came to see that it was not about me, me, me, but about a wider perspective; about knowing that you are not alone and that God has you. Knowing that you can keep going on, even on the difficult days!
Recent graduations had wonderful support from families, it is always amazing to witness students share on a public stage of how through the programme of Tiglin their lives have radically been transformed.
For those of you who have not attended a graduation it is certainly something to put on your bucket list !!!!!
BEFORE TIGLIN IN MY LIFE
AFTER TIGLIN IN MY LIFE
“I had no life. I had destroyed everything around me. I was a broken man.”
7