For many, the back to school season is a fresh start, a chance to set new goals and embrace new opportunities. But for Kaylee, this season means much more than just going back to academic life. It represents a major transformation, a journey from a place of darkness to a future full of hope and possibilities.
In May of 2022, Kaylee arrived at Portage in a very difficult state. Her life was falling apart, she had been expelled from school during her graduation year, her family relationships were broken, and she was lost in the grip of addiction. "I was slowly killing myself each day that I stayed in my addiction," she remembers. The idea of going back to school seemed impossible.
But Portage gave to Kaylee something she hadn't felt in a long time: a chance to get her life back on track. Through months of hard work, support, and the constant care of the Portage staff, Kaylee began to rebuild her life. It wasn't easy. She fought against the program, wanting to return to her destructive habits, but deep down, she knew she needed to stay.
"I hated everyone who made me stay," Kaylee admits, "but today, I wish I could experience it all over again. Portage was not what I wanted, but it was what I needed." The program taught her essential life skills, helped her manage her emotions, and most importantly, it gave her a sense of belonging. "Portage is more than just another rehab; it is a home."
Her achievements since leaving Portage are a result of her time there. In June 2023, Kaylee graduated from high school, a step that once seemed impossible. Now, as she prepares to attend college in the fall of 2024, she is practically two years sober from alcohol and recently celebrated one year of sobriety from drugs. "Not only can I say I got my family back, but I gained a second home and family at Portage," she says proudly.
This back to school season is a powerful reminder for Kaylee of how far she has come. In the past she faced the future with fear, but now she welcomes it. "My biggest fear used to be the future because I had no idea who I wanted to be. My biggest fear now is becoming that person again, a person who was so hopeless that they gave up on themselves."
Kaylee's story shows the strength of perseverance and how much the right support can change a life. As students across the country prepare for a new school year, Kaylee's journey is an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to start over, and with the right help, even the biggest challenges can be overcome.
For those living with substance use issues, Kaylee's message is clear: "Portage helped me become the person that drugs and alcohol were holding me back from being. They helped me be me again. Portage, alongside my amazing parents, saved my life."
As the new school year approaches, Kaylee’s story inspires us all to think about the possibilities ahead and to never underestimate the power of a fresh start.
Share the article:
Leave a Reply