Camille’s Story
My name is Camille Sallie. I’m 29 years old, from Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The reason I ended up at Mel Trotter was because of some really bad choices that I have made in my life.
I was in a bad relationship with an ex, which was abusive. He was also into drugs and drinking every day. Soon I followed behind him. I was very depressed and stressed out. I had lost myself.
Right behind myself, went my children – not physically yet, but I was very aware by that time that I had lost connection to life itself.
In the midst of trying to love the wrong man when I needed to love myself and children, I remember looking at myself in the mirror and not being able to recognize my own face because I was so skinny from stressing, not eating, plus doing drugs. I remember going to the hospital, being so scared for me and my children’s life, trying to heal from being stabbed by the man who was supposed to love me.
At that moment I was so close to losing everything. I needed to change my life, I needed God. I lost my faith during those times. I needed order. I needed help. I was sick. It’s not until after losing my house, my car, then physically my children, my family, and friends that I sunk deeper into my addiction. I began to use cocaine and drinking every day. I was missing out on the greater things in life, like being a mother. I was hurting loved ones, stressing them out from not knowing if I was okay or even alive. I was in the streets hungry, tired, and stuck in the same lifestyle for years, giving up so much for nothing in return.
Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
I woke up one day and told myself “it’s time to give into the Lord”. I was still fighting with my addiction, but I knew it was time to call Janice at the Step Up Recovery Program. Now I am here, I’ve been in the program for 3 months and just graduated!
But there’s more to my story.
Psalm 34:18 says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
I woke up one day and told myself “it’s time to give into the Lord”. I was still fighting with my addiction, but I knew it was time to call Janice at the Step Up Recovery Program. Now I am here, I’ve been in the program for 3 months and just graduated!
I’ve learned that I’m a deserving, beautiful, fierce woman. When I look in the mirror now I see strength and growth. I see such an amazing person. Vulnerable and ready for whatever God has in store for me. I’m proud of who I am now. What’s so different about me now is that my imperfect self is enough. I love myself. I was broken, now God is fixing me.
I didn’t know what I wanted from life, I was scared to change. I gave up and had lost hope. Now I challenge myself to fight for things in life I have a passion for. I set goals and look forward to accomplishing them.
I’ve gained a closer relationship with God and found myself. I’m still working on a better life for me and trusting God. He is preparing me for greater – my story isn’t over. I’m planning to enroll in school for horticulture, hopefully find part time work at a floral company – I recently sent my resume to Eastern Floral and Encore Floral and they both have emailed me back asking to set up an interview. I am so very excited! I’m fighting to get my children back, with current visitation with them and joint custody.
I just know if I do my best, God will do the rest.
