Briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
Hi, my name is Blossom Rogers and I am a Recovery Support Specialist for the Capstone College of Nursing. I am an author of multiple books, a motivational speaker, and I have dedicated my life to women and children whose objective is to remain sober. I suffered from an addiction to crack cocaine that lasted 19 years. I have remained clean and sober for the last 20.
Can you describe the starting point of your journey and the factors that led to this decision?
I remember it like it was yesterday. June 4th, 2004, the day that I decided I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I still have the outfit that I was wearing that very night when God called me home. I had a child and had gotten married at a very young age. I figured this was going to be the easiest way to escape the tribulations that I had gone through when I was a child. I really did not know who I was at this point in my life. An abusive relationship led me to believe that if I was unable to avoid these people, I may as well join them. This may sound confusing to those who may have never dealt with a situation like this, but all I wanted was to fit in. I have three grown sons; all were raised by my mother and grandmother. After years of prison, mental institutions, and being diagnosed so that the people around me had a quick solution, I was tired of doing the same thing over and over. I always tell people, if we want better, we have to do better. There are so many ways for those with situations like mine to get better; mine was church. The night that I went clean, I wrote a letter to God. A little over two hours later, I checked myself into the hospital.
What were some challenges or obstacles you encountered during your wellness journey?
After I quit and became clean, I realized there were still going to be life incidents. I knew I was going to have to deal with these all the while remaining clean. After dealing with a divorce, the foreclosure of my house, and repo of my car I still did not relapse. So I tell people, even though we have challenges in our life, we do not have to go back to unhealthy people, places, or things.
Is there anything that you practice daily to keep yourself focused on the future?
The only person who can truly keep you on track with the goals and wants in your life is yourself. You must remain committed to being self-accountable. Is it easy? No. Is it rewarding? Absolutely. I remain focused on the positives. I don’t let the negative people, places, and things that I discussed earlier have such a heavy influence on my life anymore. God knows what is best for Blossom and I follow his guidance every day.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your wellness journey?
Becoming clean was one of the most difficult things I ever did in my life. Somebody is going through what I have been through. I have always wanted to help others. If you want to help those around you, you must help yourself first. On airplanes the flight attendants tell you, “Put your mask on first, then you can help somebody else”. Get yourself together, then you can go help someone else. I was lifted from what happened to me, I hope to help others be lifted to.
Read more inspiring wellness stories, tips for maintaining a healthy routine, and meet all the UA Spotlight on Wellness employees from this year.
