Biography

I am an immigrant to the United States. I have worked as a fire fighter/first responder, and a US ARMY Infantryman, until a severe injury from a roadside bomb blast in Iraq. I've struggled with intravenous opiate addiction that led to lengthy jail sentence and I have attempted suicide several times. Once I decided to try and get well, I utilized the GI Bill to earn a Bachelors degree in Psychology emphasizing in substance abuse counseling, then became a certified peer specialist. I have worked for veteran non-profits, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, SMART recovery facilitation and several other wellness centers providing support to those who have struggled with similar afflictions. I've been doing peer support of some kind for 6 years and I know how much it helped me. I know what it is like to wake up every day feeling nothing but hopelessness and despair. Today I live in line with my values, and I am proud of the person I have become. It is an honor and a pleasure to support those who currently do not have hope in their lives.

Specialties