College of DuPage CRSS Success Program Student Keith Perna
Over the past 32 years, my journey through trauma, dysfunction, and substance use disorder caused me to question my purpose in life. I became homeless, lost my car and driver’s license, was unemployed, and had unimaginable financial debt. I burned every bridge possible in the wake of my destruction and had nowhere to turn for help. My will to live was vanishing along with everything I had ever loved. Addiction had stolen my sanity, my dreams, and hijacked my every thought. Hope was gone from my life and my soul was empty; I was a broken man.
My quest to find myself brought me to my knees. Only an act of divine intervention could save me, so I lifted my hands to the heavens and begged for mercy. In desperation, I walked 20 miles to a drug and alcohol treatment center where I collapsed in the lobby when I arrived. I experienced many struggles and setbacks as I tried to regain my stability in recovery. However, with perseverance and a new-found hope, I forged ahead and began rebuilding my life.
Over the course of the next several years, and with the help of a great mentor, I adhered to the 12-Step program and attended peer support groups. During this time, I worked in the manufacturing industry where there were no opportunities for advancement or personal growth. I struggled to make financial amends and put the past behind me. Once this goal was accomplished, I found myself standing at a crossroad where I once again grappled with my purpose in life. A peer in recovery suggested that I could help myself by helping others and thus began a two-year commitment to serving in a homeless outreach program twice a week.
Last year when my father was in Hospice, a chaplain came in to offer family support. After a brief conversation with him, he told me that he was a certified recovery coach and suggested that I consider becoming one myself. Intrigued, I began researching and found that the College of DuPage had a scholarship opportunity for those with lived experience to apply for their CRSS certification program. One thing led to another. I received the scholarship, completed the required classes, and have begun my internship at NAMI.
My experience with the College of DuPage has been instrumental in helping me to change my outlook on life and recovery. Professors Andrea Polites and Bruce Sewick stretched my thinking and challenged me with coursework that exceeded my expectations. They instructed, inspired, and supported me and my classmates with their knowledge, wisdom, and experience. I learned the tremendous value of hope and the necessity to share it with others. They introduced and reinforced the importance of maintaining the core ethical principles in our role as a Recovery Support Specialist. I learned to recognize the signs of compassion fatigue and, among other things, the different aspects of dual relationships and their potential effects on the welfare of the client. I feel equipped with the skills needed to interact with peers at the NAMI Drop-In Center and I look forward to honing them as my experience grows.
My heart is filled with a spirit of gratitude for all those who walked with me along the way. Thank you for the light of hope you brought to my darkness and for helping me to envision a new life that has turned my pain into purpose. I promise to pay it forward as I walk with others on their journey into recovery
