Believing That You Can Believing That You Can
doctors did restore the circulation in my hand, but I will
never have use of my right fingers again.
In 2003 I decided to move to Florida because the
weather was warmer for a homeless man such as me. I was
about to find out what a royal mess I was in. I quit my job
and took the money I had. I was now completely addicted
to crack cocaine. I was on a self-destructive suicide mission.
I was oblivious to everything except for what made me
high. By “working under the table,” I was only making
enough money to support my addiction. I did this for
another three years until I was unable to function; not
eating, showering, and even sleeping in dumpsters. I once
forgot to wake up while sleeping in the dumpster and got
dumped in the truck! This was a first! I had to get out, so I
climbed on top of the moving truck and jumped off,
shattering my knee-cap and breaking my left wrist. My
addiction landed me in Orange County Corrections for 18
months on two counts of burglary of connivance. I was able
to obtain employment in work-release. I got a job washing
boats for a marina in Orlando, Florida.
Moving to Florida was like awaking from a nightmare.
I am currently living out a good dream in St. Petersburg,
FL. where I attend the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation
Center. I did not realize I could change myself. I graduated
the program and attend GED classes. I plan to take my
GED test next month. I have accepted Jesus Christ through
my church and fully understand it is only by His doing that
I can forgive and be able to help other addicts. I attend a
substance abuse, twelve-step program, have a sponsor, and
attend church every week at the Salvation Army. I will be
enrolling at St. Petersburg College for summer classes. I
hope you have been inspired by My Story of Salvation.
Justin Knopp is a student at Dixie Hollins Adult Education Center.
People as They Are
While we are young, we are in the paradoxical situation
of not tolerating different personalities; this seems to be
because of our inability to understand that there is no single
thought that defines us. The downside of this is that by