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Kyle Williams’ struggled with a drug and alcohol addiction for eight years.
“I was a fall down drunk, just hurting myself and abusing other substances,” said Williams, “I needed help.”
He struggled with his addiction throughout his time at the University of Lethbridge but never received his degree.
Last April he checked himself into the Calgary-based Fresh Start Recovery Centre’s four month rehab program.
“Instead of taking the bus, I would ride my bike to treatment every morning,” said Williams.
After his treatment, Williams’ brought his bike with him on a family vacation to British Columbia. But at the end of his trip, he didn’t want to pack away his single speed bike.
It took him five days, but he made it back to Calgary.
This ride inspired him to start a bike ride campaign called Changing Gears, a 8,309-kilometre ride that started in St. John’s, Newfoundland to raise awareness about his struggle with addiction. He’s traded up from his single gear bike to a customized triathlon model, which he’ll ride until he get to Victoria at the end of August.
So far Williams has biked through Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec.
“It’s pretty crazy feeling waking up on a Saturday morning in Montreal and then at 5 p.m. being in a different province,” said Williams, “It’s really motivating.”
Along the way Williams, who is now 14 months sober, has been stopping at various treatment centres sharing his story.
Through talking to people from all different walks of life at treatment centres, a lot of stories have come out from people who have family members struggling with addiction.
“Physical activity and community can really help and support people who are clean and sober,” said Williams.
Since June 1, he has been able to raise just under $20,000 from his website and GoFundMe page. Some of funds go toward the cost of his ride, but he said he donates some of the money to treatment centres to invest in fitness supplies.
But Williams hasn’t been riding alone. His father, Steve Williams, has been with him, driving a support vehicle and watching his son battle road, rain and potholes.
“I’m incredibly proud. It’s a massive physical and mental endeavour,” said Steve Williams.
On Father’s Day, Kyle treated his father to breakfast and asked him to write a guest post in his blog saying the best gift was his son riding to raise awareness.
During Kyle’s addiction. he said his relationship with his parents felt strained, but all that has changed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt closer,” said Kyle.
The father-son duo is visiting family and speaking at the Dave Smith Treatment Centre in Ottawa until Thursday. From there it will take them 23 days to get to the Ontario-Manitoba border.
Williams said the bike ride has changed him.
“I feel like it’s a metaphor for me trying to change gears in my life.”
查看原文...
“I was a fall down drunk, just hurting myself and abusing other substances,” said Williams, “I needed help.”
He struggled with his addiction throughout his time at the University of Lethbridge but never received his degree.
Last April he checked himself into the Calgary-based Fresh Start Recovery Centre’s four month rehab program.
“Instead of taking the bus, I would ride my bike to treatment every morning,” said Williams.
After his treatment, Williams’ brought his bike with him on a family vacation to British Columbia. But at the end of his trip, he didn’t want to pack away his single speed bike.
It took him five days, but he made it back to Calgary.
This ride inspired him to start a bike ride campaign called Changing Gears, a 8,309-kilometre ride that started in St. John’s, Newfoundland to raise awareness about his struggle with addiction. He’s traded up from his single gear bike to a customized triathlon model, which he’ll ride until he get to Victoria at the end of August.
So far Williams has biked through Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec.
“It’s pretty crazy feeling waking up on a Saturday morning in Montreal and then at 5 p.m. being in a different province,” said Williams, “It’s really motivating.”
Along the way Williams, who is now 14 months sober, has been stopping at various treatment centres sharing his story.
Through talking to people from all different walks of life at treatment centres, a lot of stories have come out from people who have family members struggling with addiction.
“Physical activity and community can really help and support people who are clean and sober,” said Williams.
Since June 1, he has been able to raise just under $20,000 from his website and GoFundMe page. Some of funds go toward the cost of his ride, but he said he donates some of the money to treatment centres to invest in fitness supplies.
But Williams hasn’t been riding alone. His father, Steve Williams, has been with him, driving a support vehicle and watching his son battle road, rain and potholes.
“I’m incredibly proud. It’s a massive physical and mental endeavour,” said Steve Williams.
On Father’s Day, Kyle treated his father to breakfast and asked him to write a guest post in his blog saying the best gift was his son riding to raise awareness.
During Kyle’s addiction. he said his relationship with his parents felt strained, but all that has changed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt closer,” said Kyle.
The father-son duo is visiting family and speaking at the Dave Smith Treatment Centre in Ottawa until Thursday. From there it will take them 23 days to get to the Ontario-Manitoba border.
Williams said the bike ride has changed him.
“I feel like it’s a metaphor for me trying to change gears in my life.”
查看原文...
