Survivor Story: Jada

Before I came to The WellHouse, I was lost. I was a broken soul, wondering in the darkness, barely surviving, and hanging on by a thread. I had no hope, no faith, and I just wanted the pain to end. I was living on the streets, with a heavy addiction, and going through a manipulative and abusive relationship.

I don’t know how I ended up there. How things got as bad as they did. I never came from that kind of lifestyle. I may have come from a broken home, but no one in my family ever went as far and as dark as I did. I’ve been to jail more times than I can count, I’ve overdosed on drugs. I didn’t know how to handle any of the things I was feeling, and I did the only thing I knew to do. I numbed myself, until I lost myself. 

After that, I was completely isolated from my family, and just went full force into my addiction. Before I knew it, I had nothing but the clothes on my back, living on the streets, and completely sucked into all of the chaos around me. I was searching for love and acceptance in people who had me more times than I would like to admit. I was slowly killing myself, and I honestly thought it would be better that way. Looking back on that time now, I know that God never gave up on me. He never left my side, and He saved me from things I would have never made it out of on my own.

I have been doing drugs since a very early age, that was my normal. My addiction really spiraled out of control in 2013 when I lost my mom. My whole world was turned upside down. She was my rock and my best friend. This cycle went on for years, and it only got worse. After hitting multiple rock bottoms, I was too tired to go on like that. So I asked for help. That is when my advocate told me about The WellHouse.

Coming to The WellHouse was the best decision I’ve ever made. This place has helped me in so many ways. I was given time to heal. I have been shown love and compassion and gentleness since the moment I got here. Over the past year I have come so far. I have learned to stop running, how to feel and process emotions, and that it’s okay to feel them. I’ve learned about addiction and recovery, and how to live and enjoy life sober. And most importantly, I’ve learned about God and His amazing Love, abundant Grace, and Mercy.

I was able to make it out. I never thought that was possible. I never thought I could come back from the things that I have done. I never thought I would be anything more than the shattered girl that I was. Now I am a completely different person. I am forgiven and redeemed.

One of the verses that has guided me through this journey is God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” They say the pain always has a purpose, and I know that God will use my story for good. If my testimony could help even just one girl out there, lost and hopeless like I was, then it will all have been worth it.

Because there is a way out. With Him there is hope. He took all my broken pieces and made me whole again. He picked me up and turned me into this strong and beautifully scarred woman that I have learned to love today. I’m not the same person I was, and my past doesn’t define me. I get to hear my loved ones, the people who I’ve let my shame keep me away from, tell me how proud they are of how far I’ve come. And for the first time in a long time, I’m proud of myself.

This journey hasn’t always been easy, But it definitely has been worth it. I’ve learned to stop looking down, and look up. I can finally see what I have been searching for has been there all along.